Coming Out Late

In this episode, Robin sets the tone for 2023 - not only for herself - but she challenges us all to think about setting some conscious intentions for our lives in 2023. Robin asks us to ponder and select one word that will be our battle-cry for all of 2023.In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will learn . . .What is conscious awareness?Why is it important to be consciously-aware?What does it mean to ‘set-intentions’?What are the benefits of setting intentions?How can setting-intentions help you on your coming out journey?Why you should listen to your body & heart, instead of your mind.How focusing on one word can help with personal growth and progressTo receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass Links to resources:WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COMWanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassFOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:@late.blooming.lesbianCOMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost to attend will be announced very soon. They WILL be held on Wednesday evenings, from 8pm EST to 9:15pm sharp. If group members wish to stay longer than the allotted 75 minutes, Robin will leave the Zoom Room open for as long as you all wish to stay, but Robin will be leaving the group at 9:15pm EST. For more details and to be added to the Support Group Wait List, email Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com. PLEASE NOTE: One Wednesday will be the “Women Loving Women” support group, alternating Wednesdays with “Fifty Plus & Fabulous”, for women close-to 50 years old and over. ANYONE can join the “Women Loving Women” Group.BISEXUALLY SPEAKING: SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION MEETS WEEKLY:The weekly group, “Bisexually Speaking” continues to be available for anyone who identifies as gay, AND of course, for anyone who identifies or *thinks* they are bisexual. We do not turn anyone away who wishes to try attending a small group discussion, questions where on the gay spectrum you fall, or simply needs a support group.Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” to:(a) Florida in March,(b) Arizona in mid-April, andc) “Women’s Fest” in Rehoboth Beach, DE.To be put on the waiting list for either the Florida March Retreat OR the April Arizona Retreat, email Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.

In this episode, Robin again breaks the mold in the world of LGBTQ+ podcasting by introducing us to yet another one of her listeners, via a letter she received from Helen. Like the previous letter read in last season’s Episode #55 by Michelle in Australia, Robin received a letter from Helen, outlining her very painful and difficult 2022, complete with Helen’s coming out story. Robin was so struck by Helen’s vulnerability, the pain she is working through, the self-discovery she is experiencing, and of course, her beautiful coming out story, that she knew she had to share Helen’s story with us. In fact, Helen shared her story with Robin as an offering for it to be read on the podcast.  But Robin knew that the impact of Helen’s words and all the sentiment behind them would be better spoken by Helen herself. So, Robin asked and Helen agreed to read her own letter, aloud, for the Coming Out Late audience.Helen’s real, raw and relatable story shares with us the following . . .How grief, gender dysphoria, autism, intersex, bisexuality, and ultimately, butch lesbian ALL came to light in Helen’s world in 2022!How Helen has to deal with the guilt that SHE has survived and is now free to turn away from her deceased husband, after 34 years of marriage, and move on with her life. And, with him now being gone, and her alone, she must now choose a different path to her future than the one in which they had originally planned for themselves together. After all, “Life” is for the Living, is it not?What is gender dysphoria? “Gender Dysphoria” is defined as: a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch, or incongruence, between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.What it means to be Intersex: ​​Intersex describes naturally occurring variations in biological sex characteristics. These differences may be apparent at birth or may not be recognized until later in life. Oftentimes, a person will go through life fully unaware that they have an intersex variation.  Intersex is both a biological state and, in recent years, a group identity for people who have been historically stigmatized for being born with bodies that do not align with the binary definition of "boy/girl," "man/woman," or "male/female."The realization of masculine secondary sexual characteristics such as: the need to shave her facial hair, a deeper voice than ‘typical’ of females, and a more muscular physicality.Helen’s initial declaration of being bisexual, only later to publicly announce and acknowledge her lifelong butch lesbian inclinations.Her realization that, at the moment, ‘living her dream’ has nothing to do with attracting others, but it’s about at last learning how to love and accept herself for who she truly is, AND enjoying being that person.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassLinks to resources:THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, HELEN FLACK:Thank you Helen for sharing your story full of your experience, strength and hope with us, and for taking the time to write and record this episode for us.To learn more and/or to make a donation in Simon Flack’s name, please visit: https://sitran.org/support-us/how-donate/. The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is known for their groundbreaking research into ALS or MND.

In this Part Two episode, Robin continues her conversation with late bloomer and LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach AND Spiritual Mentor, Kari DeWitt. Robin picks back up with the challenging question for Kari, “...how do we help our LGBTQ+ coming out late community overcome debilitating feelings of selfishness while they’re navigating their new trajectory in life as a gay person…?” Kari’s answer may surprise you. Likewise, Robin and Kari also look back at how much about themselves and about their lives have changed, in just one short year.In this episode you will also hear Robin and Kari talk about . . .How Kari’s look has changed over the past year; how she identifies today, as opposed to a year ago, and what she ‘labels’ herself as today.There are no rules when it comes to who you are ‘supposed’ to be.Give yourself permission to play with the way you look, the way you wear your hair, the way you sound and how you talk. Experiment and play around and when something feels right or you say, “Ooh, I like the way that looks. I like the way I feel when I wear my hair this way…”Stand in your power and simply ‘be’. It’s OK to just ‘be’.When we act, and live-in authenticity, we give everyone else who hears and sees us living authentically, permission to do the same.In accepting ourselves, our queerness, we are taking one step closer in accepting that ‘things’ change in life; things change all the time in life.‘Things’ don’t happen TO-us in life; ‘things’ happen FOR us in our lives.We all need to learn to ‘let go’ and trust that we’re always taken care of and everything that’s happening in our lives is happening for us.Kari reveals HER secret to living an authentic and soulful life - it’s all in the STARs: Surrendering, Trusting, Allowing, and finally, Releasing.Learn to love yourself first; we simply cannot fully love another human being until we learn how to love ourselves first.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass Links to resources:THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, KARI DEWITT:To learn more about Kari DeWitt and her LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach, AND Spiritual Mentor offerings, go to: https://www.karidewitt.comTO LISTEN TO EPISODE #5, MY NOVEMBER 2021 CONVERSATION w/KARI DEWITT, GO TO:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-late/id1589128068?i=1000540356354WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COMWanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassCOMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:Three out of the four Coming Out Late Support Groups are suspended until further notice while Robin recovers from the influenza virus. The one support group that is open to anyone in need of weekly support is “Bisexually Speaking”. You must use the link below each and every week, in order to register and receive the sign-in information. There is a $5 per person, per meeting WEEKLY “Cover Charge” to participate.Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps:/

In this episode, Robin talks with Kari DeWitt, an LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach as well as a Spiritual Mentor. This is not Robin & Kari’s first rodeo or podcast episode together - Robin interviewed Kari back in Episode 5 of the “Coming Out Late” podcast in November of 2021, as her first-ever podcast guest. Back then, they chatted with one another about all-things LGBTQ+, sharing bits ‘n pieces of their own coming out late stories, as well as talking about the enormous growth each were experiencing in their own private Facebook groups, Kari’s “Late Bloomer Lesbians + Support Group”, and Robin’s “Coming Out Late” group. A year later, they pick up where they left off, continuing to address LGBTQ topics, but this time perhaps, in more broader terms as they zoom-out from their microscopic views of simply coming out late, and explore the deeper realms of what their queer awakening may really mean.In this episode you will hear Robin and Kari discuss . . .How has Kari’s coming out late journey changed in the year that passed since Kari was last on the “Coming Out Late” podcast?What has Kari learned about herself and about her sexuality in the last year?Has the “landscape” of coming out changed at all, in the last year?What has ‘spirituality’ have to do with my gayness, my coming out?.This is bigger than our sexuality; our awareness and declaration of our queerness is a stepping stone to something greater for each of us.What is the difference between ‘woke’, and ‘being awake’?Awakening to our true ‘beingness’ also gives space for other doors to open and for you to get curious in your life.We each have a purpose here. We came into this life as this particular human to have this particular experience, to learn a specific lesson.What is the kryptonite for ‘shame’ and ‘guilt’? Helping women get closer to their authentic self, which is soul - that which is greater than ourselves.Getting quiet with yourself long enough to be able to have a relationship with this inner being.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassLinks to resources:THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, KARI DEWITT:To learn more about Kari DeWitt and her LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach, AND Spiritual Mentor offerings, go to: https://www.karidewitt.comTO LISTEN TO EPISODE #5, MY NOVEMBER 2021 CONVERSATION w/KARI DEWITT, GO TO:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-late/id1589128068?i=1000540356354WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COMWanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassCOMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:Three out of the four Coming Out Late Support Groups are suspended until further notice while Robin recovers from the influenza virus. The one support group that is open to anyone in need of weekly support is “Bisexually Speaking”. You must use the link below each and every week, in order to register and receive the sign-in information. There is a $5 per person, per meeting WEEKLY “Cover Charge” to participate.Bisexually Spea

In this episode, Robin interviews late bloomer and emotional wellness coach, Dee Burrell. Robin and Dee’s chemistry and easy-conversation style make it easy to ponder the possibilities that our thoughts are not who we are - that they’re just thoughts. Likewise, the two discuss and disclose what it was like to realize you are gay at the age of 5 but living in the south being raised a staunch southern baptist. After four children, eight years of clawing her way out of the closet and fourteen years of a hetero-normative marriage, it is obvious to Robin’s listeners that Dee IS finally living her best life.In this episode you will hear Robin and Dee talk about . . .What does it mean when Dee says, “...we are not our thoughts?”What external factors impact and affect our inner knowing?How adult questioning, when we’re young, can be SO off-putting and presumptuous. For Dee, *something* didn’t fit their line of questioning.Dee recalls thinking, “...I’d grow out of it, I’d marry a man, I’d have kids…you know, I’d do all the things that were expected of me…”Choosing the men we are to marry: “...you’ll do just fine; you’re smart, you’re attractive…we’ll have adorable babies…you know, like, this is what I’m supposed to do…”  We convince ourselves that THIS is where we’re supposed to be.Our lives, and our marriages, they were definitely NOT what they appeared to be; people looking from the outside in, idolized what they thought we had.Typically, NONE of the ‘things’ that we are terrified will happen, ever happen at all. They are all just thoughts in our minds, stories we tell ourselves that don’t even exist.Using personal development tools to get through familial betrayal.Allowing ourselves to feel ALL the feelings. Do not resist the hard feelings. What we resist, persists.Our power is latent in us all; we just need develop the courage to tap into it.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassLinks to resources:THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, DEE BURRELL:To learn more about Dee Burrell and her emotional wellness offerings, go to: https://www.sapphiccoaching.comTHE 2023 VISION BOARD WORKSHOP:Take advantage of the special Presale Offer to join the year-long, 2023 Vision Board Workshop by registering before January 1st in order to snag the $249 presale deal. Starting January 1st, registration into this one-of-a-kind Workshop goes up to $299 per person, for the year-long Workshop. To find out how you can Register and pay NOW, please email Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:Three out of the four Coming Out Late Support Groups are suspended until further notice while Robin recovers from the influenza virus. The one support group that is open to anyone in need of weekly support is “Bisexually Speaking”. You must use the link below each and every week, in order to register and receive the sign-in information. There is a $5 per person, per meeting WEEKLY “Cover Charge” to participate.Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” in Florida in March, and setting up our Retreat in the Phoenix Arizona area in April. To be put on the waiting list for

In this episode, Robin debuts a new segment of her podcast called, “Consider the Possibility”. In “Consider the Possibility”, Robin introduces a particular topic or theme or idea that she hopes will help us all think a little deeper, feel a little more awakened and possibly even inspire us to act a little differently as we navigate through this journey of life and of coming out.In this episode you will consider the possibility of ‘impermanence’ and learn . . .What is the meaning of ‘impermanence’, and why is it important?How does ‘impermanence’ affect us: Emotionally? Socially? Intellectually? Mentally? Spiritually? Physically?Does the knowledge of ‘impermanence’ affect our daily lives?Does ‘impermanence’ impact our mindfulness and being present in the moment?What are the benefits of accepting ‘impermanence’?What can happen if we do not accept the idea of ‘impermanence’?By embracing ‘impermanence’, we learn acceptance and that ‘change’ is inevitable.How does the intersection of ‘impermanence’ and ‘comp-het’, ‘homophobia’, and deep-seeded denial play in our lives and how self-love, self-confidence and self-esteem can be the medicine!Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassLinks to resources:THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.Get on the waiting list for the March 2023 Coming Out Late Retreat to be held in the Phoenix or Scottsdale, Arizona area by emailing ARIZONA to Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.THE 2023 VISION BOARD WORKSHOP:Get on the waiting list for the January, 4-week Vision Board Workshop. Cost includes instruction and guidance, assessments, four, weekly 90-minute Workshop sessions and three additional quarterly, hour-long accountability meetings throughout the year. To be added to the Waitlist and for more information about the workshop, please email Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:Three out of the four Coming Out Late Support Groups are suspended until further notice while Robin recovers from the influenza virus. The one support group that is open to anyone in need of weekly support is “Bisexually Speaking”. You must use the link below each and every week, in order to register and receive the sign-in information. There is a $5 per person, per meeting WEEKLY “Cover Charge” to participate.Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COMWanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

In this episode, Robin is interviewed by Greg Sowell, host of his own podcast called, “Why Am I?” Greg’s premise behind his “Why Am I?” podcast, is that he likes talking to interesting people and tries to trace a path to where they were to where they find themselves today. Nonetheless, Robin makes an excellent guest on his show, because clearly her path to where she was to where she finds herself today is quite an unlikely path indeed.In this episode, you will hear Greg interview Robin and learn . . .How and why Robin became a solopreneur, and what that means. (Hint: an unexpected and abrupt - and illegal - ending to her marital alimony suddenly had Robin scrambling to support herself.)Why Robin thinks we are all going through a metamorphosis throughout our lives, explaining why it’s important we embrace change and impermanence, because nothing stays the same - change is inevitable.Robin says, “...I always knew there was something more for me to do, to accomplish…always wanting to know my purpose in life…”How Robin followed the breadcrumbs along a 10-year journey.Recuperating from her nearly three-year divorce and how two and a half years after her divorce, she was faced with a very difficult financial and legal decision.How Robin freed herself from being beholden to her ex-husband, wanting to be fully self-sufficient and independent - depending only on herself.Theories on why there are droves of people coming out late in the last 4-7 years; and how many come out near their 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th+ birthdays.Coming to terms with being gay and how we choose to express ourselves (as gay people), publicly, AND, reconciling that expression of our gayness.Fear paralyzes us. When you’re feeling the fear, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Feel the fear and do it anyway.What roles do ‘comp-het’, ‘homophobia’, and deep-seeded denial play in our lives and how self-love, self-confidence and self-esteem can be the medicine!Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassLinks to resources:SPEAKER SUMMIT #4: A Conversation with Hulu’s star couple from “Mormon No More”, and creators of their “Peace Out” podcast, Sal Osborne & Lena Schwen.You can purchase the RECORDING from this Speaker Summit by sending $27 to either Venmo: @comingoutlater or PayPal: @NovareInternational, THEN emailing Robin at Comingoutlater@gmail.com, to request your copy of the Recording.COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:ALL of our now FOUR support groups have gone to a $5 per person, per meeting “Cover Charge”. ALL groups are now accessible via a unique Buy Me A Coffee link that is special to each of the four support groups, AND, once you’ve paid, will take you to the Zoom link needed to enter the support group. Here are those special Buy Me A Coffee links to join each of those support groups:Women Helping Women, every Tuesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93122Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135Women Loving Women, every Wednesday evening at 7:00pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93137Fifty Plus & Fabulous, every OTHER Thursday from 7pm EST to 10pm EST(Next date

In this episode, Robin is interviewed by Abigail, a relatively new, self-proclaimed pansexual, and Host of her own podcast all about relationships called, “The Manic Pixie Weirdo”. The week before this episode aired with Robin, Abigail did a solo episode on her podcast called, “My Relationship with Coming Out”, and therefore wanted to interview Robin to learn more about her own relationship with coming out, and what Robin’s process was like.In this episode, you will hear Abigail interview Robin and learn about . . .My “Aha!” moment, at 54 years young!My ten-year span of ‘awakening’ after a lifetime of heteronormativity.There’s no puttin’ the genie back in the bottle once she pops out!There are two camps of women: those who ‘knew’ but for external societal reasons had to stuff it down; and those of us who stuffed it so far down, (due to implicit societal reasons), that it took decades to ‘know’.How inexplicable, confusing infatuations back then, make complete sense now.Do we need ‘labels’? Do we want labels?Married women liking women: oh my gosh, this IS a ‘thing’!How do you know for sure you’re gay, having never been intimate with a woman?Is it ‘normal’ to feel resentments about NOT coming out sooner?In what ways have I, and do ‘we’, personally grow, since coming out?I’ve come out late in life, so, what else don’t I know about myself?Everything in my life happens FOR me, not TO me!Hetero-dating versus same-sex dating - who makes the first move? How do you flirt?Indoctrinating yourself into the gay culture; ask for guidance if you need it.When in doubt, just use “ya’ll” for everyone’s pronouns.Coming out later: is self-care selfish?Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass  Links to resources:THE FIRST “COMING OUT LATE” RETREAT OF 2023:Come join Robin and your coming out late peers at the very first retreat of 2023 in March, in Phoenix Arizona. To be added to the Phoenix Retreat waiting list, email Robin your name to: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.SPEAKER SUMMIT #4: A Conversation with Hulu’s star couple from “Mormon No More”, and creators of their “Peace Out” podcast, Sal Osborne & Lena Schwen.You can purchase the RECORDING from this Speaker Summit by sending $27 to either Venmo: @comingoutlater or PayPal: @NovareInternational, THEN emailing Robin at Comingoutlater@gmail.com, to request your copy of the Recording.COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COMWanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglassCOMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:ALL of our now FOUR support groups have gone to a $5 per person, per meeting “Cover Charge”. ALL groups are now accessible via a unique Buy Me A Coffee link that is special to each of the four support groups, AND, once you’ve paid, will take you to the Zoom link needed to enter the support group. Here are those special Buy Me A Coffee links to join each of those support groups:Women Helping Women,

In this episode, Robin takes us back into an inside look, (“Part Two”), into several really poignant conversations that took place in one of her four weekly support groups she facilitates for women coming out late in life. With permission from all the women in this small group this particular week, they collectively agreed that the conversation that transpired was just too good NOT to share with her podcast listeners.In this Part Two episode, you will hear and learn about . . .We pick up the conversation with the idea that ‘feeling uncomfortable’ and ‘feeling uncertain’ are simply aspects of life that we must accept. That we must get comfortable with being UNcomfortable; that we must learn how to be comfortable while also feeling uncertainty.We talk about how “we don’t HAVE to make this moment, or this situation tolerable for everyone else just so that I can tolerate it.”We collectively agreed that we WISHED someone would have said to us, as young girls, that it’s ok to disappoint people - that they’ll be ok. We shared what the magnitude of that conversation would have had on our young lives, and beyond, had we been told that it’s ok to disappoint others.How much growth and ‘riches’ exist in the sitting-in the unknown, and sitting in the discomfort.We learned how to manipulate and control as a result of feeling out of control growing up; those tactics and auto-responses come with us into our adult relationships.Learning to feel safe and trustworthy within ourselves.As children, we learned coping mechanisms to conform and ‘not disappoint’ in order to keep the peace. As adults, we need to shed these coping mechanisms that no longer serve us when we learn to trust ourselves.THIS is it! A declaration - no longer a question!Staying (in my marriage or hetero-relationship would have been easier. Easier for who? What IS “easier”?Don’t look back(wards). Appreciate the experiences that made us into who we are today. We are the sum of ALL of our experiences!Our lives unfold precisely how they are meant to unfold.Our lives, our stories do NOT have to look like everyone else’s.What does “gay” look like today? How do you represent? If you’re very femme, how do you let others know you’re gay?Some Bonus conversation about Episode #55, and if/how we should come out to elderly parents and grandparents.Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass Links to resources:SPEAKER SUMMIT #4: How to Handle the Holidays Before, During or After Coming Out!!Join us virtually in Zoom on Wednesday, November 16, from 7pm to 9pm EST when we invite Hulu’s star couple from “Mormon No More” and creators of their “Peace Out” podcast, Sal Osborne and Lena Schwen. Who better to talk to us about how to handle the holidays than this family of seven children, and two ex-husbands, than a couple of former Mormons. $27 pp. Register using the Calendly link below. Recordings are available for purchase for $27, by emailing Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.Register for the Live, virtual event here:https://calendly.com/comingoutlatecommunity/speaker-summit-4COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:ALL of our now FOUR support groups have gone to a $5 per person, per meeting “Cover Charge”. ALL groups are now accessible via a unique Buy Me A Coffee link that is special to each of the four support groups, AND, once you’ve paid, will take you to the Zoom link needed to

In this episode, Robin shares with us an inside look into one of her four weekly support groups she facilitates for women coming out late in life. With permission from all the women in this small group, on this particular day, they collectively agreed that the conversation that transpired was just too good NOT to share with her podcast listeners.In this episode you will hear and learn about . . .We initially opened the conversation by pondering the following comment/question: “Do you find that it’s much more intense dating women than men?”Discussing that first question then morphed into us discussing THIS question: “Have you found it hard to not get caught up in the ‘new relationship energy’ feelings? What are some tools you would suggest to help with those intense ‘new relationship energy’ feelings?”Feel the feelings. Feel ALL the feelings. BUT…do NOT let new relationship-energy cloud your judgment!What is New Relationship Energy? (NRE)? And is it something to avoid, fear or dive-into?How do recovering people pleasers handle the intoxicating feelings from new relationship energy? Are there tools to deal with new relationship energy?How do you transition, within a relationship, from ‘new relationship energy’, to something more sustainable? From obsession to success & sustainable?The importance of our female friendships and their ability to tell us with loving kindness the difficult things we need to hear about ourselves.Setting realistic expectations for yourself, AND within a relationship.The value in maintaining personal autonomy within your relationship.While sounding cliché, the critical nature of communication in ALL of our (close) relationships.Trusting our feelings and our intuition.Tools for our personal growth.Having everything, but still feeling, “...is this it?”If somebody would have just said this to me when I was a little girl . . .Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass  Links to resources:SPEAKER SUMMIT #4: Handling the Ho-Ho-Ho-mophobia During the Holidays!Join us virtually in Zoom on Wednesday, November 16, from 7pm to 9pm EST when we invite Hulu’s star couple from “Mormon No More” and creators of their “Peace Out” podcast, Sal Osborne and Lena Schwen. Who better to talk to us about how to handle the holidays than this family of seven children, and two ex-husbands, than a couple of former Mormons. $27 pp. Register using the Calendly link below. Recordings are available for purchase for $27, by emailing Robin at: Comingoutlater@gmail.com.Register for the Live, virtual event here:https://calendly.com/comingoutlatecommunity/speaker-summit-4COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:ALL of our now FOUR support groups have gone to a $5 per person, per meeting “Cover Charge”. ALL groups are now accessible via a unique Buy Me A Coffee link that is special to each of the four support groups, AND, once you’ve paid, will take you to the Zoom link needed to enter the support group. Here are those special Buy Me A Coffee links to join each of those support groups:Women Helping Women, every Tuesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93122Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm ESThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDougla