12: Reclaiming Confidence & Self-Expression in Midlife (Leo Season Energy)

Feeling a little disconnected from your spark lately? You’re not alone. In this week’s Glow Bite, Alicia and Nicole tap into the energy of Leo season to explore what it means to reclaim your confidence, creativity, and voice—especially in midlife.

This isn’t just about astrology. It’s about owning your power, rediscovering joy, and allowing yourself to be seen again in a season where so many women feel overlooked or invisible.

✨ Whether you’re a Leo or not, this episode is your invitation to shine unapologetically, express yourself more fully, and let confidence be a practice—not a personality trait.

00:00 Welcome to Midlife and Glowing
00:06 Exploring Leo Season and Confidence
02:49 Astrology Basics: Leo Energy
04:37 Embracing Bold Self-Expression
07:06 Learning and Growing in Midlife
09:50 Celebrating Growth and Leo Traits
12:19 Leo Fun Facts and Reflection
17:35 Journaling Prompts and Final Thoughts

If you want to play with some of this Leo energy, here are a few journaling prompts or questions to reflect on:
👀 Where in my life am I ready to be more visible?
💃 What am I passionate about that I’ve been hiding?
💗 What would I do differently if I believed I was already enough?

Transcript

Alicia: 0:00

Hey there. Welcome back to Midlife and Glowing. I'm Alicia.

Nicole: 0:03

And I'm Nicole and we have something special this week. It's Alicia's birthday week, and as it turns out, it's also Leo season. So we thought what better time to talk about confidence, creativity, and how we show up in this season of life.

Alicia: 0:17

Yes. And we wanna say up front, we are not astrologers and we're not here to decode your full birth chart, but we are all about helping you reconnect with your glow in midlife. And Leo season felt like the perfect excuse to talk about bold self-expression, self celebration, and the power of confidence, even if it feels a little rusty.

Nicole: 0:36

Okay, so I just wanna say that we both find astrology super fascinating, and although we aren't experts in this area, we wanted to dive into it a little more. And as we were researching about Leo season for this episode, since it's Alicia's Zodiac sign and it's her birthday soon, we were just amazed at how aligned all of the LEO season characteristics were with the Midlife and Glowing podcast and all the things we want to embody in midlife. Identity, purpose, vitality, confidence, self-expression, creativity, visibility, and play. These spoke directly to what we wanna create here on this podcast, so it just felt right that we should have this conversation.

Alicia: 1:16

And what blows my mind is whenever you read anything your zodiac sign or your birth chart astrology or your horoscope, how accurate some of these personality traits are. Like, how is it that your sign can describe your quirks, strengths, even how you handle relationships so well? Like do you remember back in the day? Growing up, I don't know what the magazines were, maybe like 17 or Marie Claire, something like that. You know, they would have the horoscopes in the back and I always would flip right through everything else and go straight to my horoscope. And that was like, one of the first things that I had to read on those magazines was the horoscope.

Nicole: 1:55

Yeah, I can relate. I loved looking at the horoscopes in the magazines, that was like the best part. It is one of those things where you read about your sun sign or your horoscope and you're like, wait, how do they know me?

Alicia: 2:10

Right. Yeah. And even though we don't live and breathe by our horoscopes, there's something so fun about learning these patterns and using them to reflect on who we are, how we've grown, and what we might want to lean into more.

Nicole: 2:24

So we thought this was the perfect time to explore what Leo Energy brings and how we can all use a little of that bold, joyful, expressive vibe, right now. And I also wanna say, if you're, um, tuning in on YouTube, I am wearing a little leopard print number today in honor of Leo season and in honor of Alicia, because she loves a good leopard print. So.

Alicia: 2:47

I sure do.

Nicole: 2:49

Okay, let's lay some basics down for those of you that like us, don't know a ton about astrology, but find it interesting. Leo is a fire sign ruled by the sun. So just in case you're like us and don't totally speak astrology, here's what it means when we say Leo is a fire sign ruled by the sun.

Alicia: 3:07

Right. Let's break it down. In astrology each Zodiac sign is connected to one of four elements, earth, air, water, or fire. And if you watched the movie, the Craft in the nineties, you should be familiar with these elements. And Leo is a fire sign, which basically means it brings the heat. It's bold, passionate, expressive, creative, that warm magnetic energy.

Nicole: 3:28

Yes. And then every sign also has something called a ruling planet. Leo's ruler? It's not even a planet, it's the sun, which is so perfect because the sun represents your identity, your confidence, your life force. It's literally about shining.

Alicia: 3:42

So when you put that together, Leo energy is like, be bold, be bright, be the main character. It's about living from your heart and letting yourself be seen. And honestly, what better energy to step into in midlife?

Nicole: 3:55

Exactly. Leo Energy is known for boldness, playfulness, leadership, loyalty, and creative expression. So think of your most radiant, unapologetic self. That's Leo Energy.

Alicia: 4:08

Yes, Leo is all about the heart. It rules the heart in the body and represents joy, visibility, warmth, and generosity. In short, Leo says, shine baby. And in midlife, we don't get told that enough.

Nicole: 4:21

Leo Energy also reminds us that it's okay to want to be seen. So many women shrink themselves in midlife, physically, emotionally, creatively. And this season is a beautiful opportunity to flip the script.

Alicia: 4:36

Yes, I love that. So let's be honest, midlife can really challenge your confidence. Your body changes, your roles change, your identity feels like it's shifting beneath your feet.

Nicole: 4:46

And culturally, we're not exactly encouraged to take up more spaces we age. Most of us gravitate towards shrinking into the background, being smaller and less visible. But Leo reminds us that this season can actually be your boldest yet.

Alicia: 5:01

Yes, maybe you've spent decades being the caretaker, the supporter, the one behind the scenes. But Leo says, what if it's your turn to be the main character?

Nicole: 5:10

And not in a selfish way, in a deeper way, let your voice be heard. Let your ideas and passions be expressed. You know, this actually is something that we've both struggled with and starting this podcast has definitely pushed us out of our comfort zone as we're both on the shy and introverted side. And doing it has helped us expand in ways that felt uncomfortable, but has been so rewarding and actually a ton of fun.

Alicia: 5:35

Yeah, I'll be honest. I was definitely hesitant to start a podcast. I had some serious imposter syndrome, like who's really gonna care what I have to say? But I kept coming back to this desire to grow and to connect with other women who are navigating midlife just like we are. And what surprised me is how much confidence this has given me. I'm realizing I do have something to offer and that the things I've gone through other women are going through as well.

Nicole: 6:01

And that's the magic of Leo season. It nudges us to step out of our comfort zones and be seen in new ways.

Alicia: 6:08

Exactly, and one of the most fun ways to explore that? Using style as a mirror for self-expression. This is where I get excited because style is one of my favorite tools for self-expression, and I think a lot of women forget that it's allowed to evolve.

Nicole: 6:25

Totally. So many of us hit midlife and think, I don't know what to wear anymore, or nothing fits me right or I'm too old for that. But Leo says, wear what lights you up.

Alicia: 6:39

Exactly, that philosophy is the foundation for this podcast, whether that's bold earrings, a flowy dress, a red lip, or just something cozy that makes you feel like you. Own it. Expressing yourself visually is a powerful act of self-love.

Nicole: 6:53

And creativity doesn't have to mean doing something artsy like painting or writing a book. It can mean cooking a new meal, decorating your space, playing with your style, or saying yes to something new.

Alicia: 7:05

Yeah. Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you can't start learning new things.

Nicole: 7:10

Totally. I mean, I just actually had a former patient who's retired tell me that she's learning how to play piano, and dad started a hobby farm after he retired, right? So raising bees and grass fed cattle, so age shouldn't stop you from doing things that you find interesting and bring you joy.

Alicia: 7:28

Yeah, I totally agree. There are several things that I would love to learn. One, I'm a terrible dancer, so, I think it would be fun to learn how to dance. That's actually been on my list for a long time. And then when we were younger, you and I did Chinese Kempo. I thought it was kempo but I'm just learning today that it's actually Kenpo. So anybody else say Kempo? It's Kenpo. So, uh, no surprise that I mispronounced something my entire life. Uh, so anyhow, we did those Chinese Kenpo classes when we were younger, and I loved that class. I, I thought it was so fun and I, I would love to get back into something like that or some self-defense classes. I would also love to learn how to play guitar, although I'm not super musical. I think it'd be fun to give it a try.

Nicole: 8:17

Yeah, totally. The Chinese Kempo class was my favorite. I absolutely loved that class in particular. I've taken other martial arts classes since then, and that one was definitely by far my favorite, but I would say martial arts just in general and self-defense classes are such a good workout. Um, if you can be learning how to defend yourself at the same time, like even better. So I'm all about that. I am learning Spanish right now. Uh, and there's so many, like, I can't even think of all of the things that I'd love to learn, like how to paint, i also love the idea of learning how to dance. And just this whole conversation right now actually makes me think back to a patient that I had he was actually a really reserved fellow. So he was in, he was maybe in his like I would say mid fifties and he was just kind of shy, super sweet, just a reserved guy. So it like blew my mind when he told me that he would go downtown by himself and go salsa dancing. I was like, oh my gosh. I absolutely loved that. I just loved the you know, being confident and doing something like that, even though he seemed like he was a little bit shy, just it was really inspiring to hear him say that he goes, salsa dancing. I thought that was amazing.

Alicia: 9:32

Oh I love that.

Nicole: 9:33

But yeah, I mean, there's so many things that I'm interested in that I would just love to explore more.

Alicia: 9:39

Yeah, same. My list is never ending, and I'm not going to let my age dictate my ability to learn new things or explore things that I find interesting.

Nicole: 9:48

Amen, sister. So Alicia, it's your birthday week. What's one thing you're reflecting on this year?

Alicia: 9:56

Oh, that's a good question. I think I'm realizing how important it is to let yourself be celebrated. Not in like a flashy way, but in a present way. Like taking a moment to say, I'm proud of who I am. I've grown. I've done hard things, and I deserve to enjoy my life. It's been a journey of realizing I need to also step outta my comfort zone. That's definitely been more challenging, but it's been totally worth it in the growth that I've felt because you really can't grow in your comfort zone.

Nicole: 10:31

That's so true. I love that. Celebrating your growth is so important and I think something we can all take from the Leo season we're in. We should all be celebrating how far we've come.

Alicia: 10:42

Yes. I used to downplay birthdays or brush off compliments or just didn't know how to respond to compliments'cause I'm super awkward, but this year I want to embrace that more and also share more of that. Like if I see someone's outfit that I like instead of just thinking, oh wow, I, I love that outfit. I want to actually tell the person. And it's not that I, I don't want to tell them, but I'm normally shy, so I'm working on gaining the confidence to approach a stranger and give them that compliment.

Nicole: 11:13

That's awesome. And that energy is so contagious too. I think it also inspires others when they see a woman in midlife who's not afraid to enjoy herself or fully express herself.

Alicia: 11:26

Yes, I'm definitely inspired by this too. You know, there are two midlife ladies on Instagram that I've been following that have super bold style and they own it in such a beautiful and motivational way that just draws you in to wanting to find and express your own unique self. And every time I see something from them, I'm just, I just love it. And it's not that I necessarily want every single outfit that they're sharing, which I do like their style. It's funky, it's unique. But it's just how they present themselves and like, their acceptance and how gracefully they're embracing midlife. It's so empowering. They also both have such positive messages about midlife and style, which I love. Um, shop with Caroline and Roz creative stylist are their Instagram accounts. If you're looking for some style empowerment, definitely go check them out.

Nicole: 12:18

That's amazing. Okay, so we thought it would be fun to add in a little Leo astrology moment for those of you who love the Woo like we do. Let's call this Leo fun facts.

Alicia: 12:28

Yes, even though we're not full on astrologers, we definitely appreciate a good cosmic deep dive. So here are a few things to know about the Leo Zodiac sign.

Nicole: 12:37

Leo dates are July 23rd to August 22nd. So if you're a summer baby born in this window, you're a Leo. And if you're not, you still have Leo Energy in your birth chart somewhere.

Alicia: 12:48

The element is fire. Leo is one of three fire signs along with Aries and Sagittarius. This gives Leo that bold, expressive, magnetic energy.

Nicole: 12:59

The ruling planet or luminary is the sun. Leo is ruled by the sun, which in astrology represents your core identity, your life force, and the part of you that wants to shine. No wonder Leos are known for charisma and confidence.

Alicia: 13:13

The Leo symbol is the lion. Leo energy is brave, proud, fiercely loyal, and loves to lead with heart and not afraid to be seen.

Nicole: 13:23

The body part ruled by Leo is the heart, which makes so much sense. Leo Energy is all about heart-centered living, creativity, joy, generosity, and loving big.

Alicia: 13:34

High vibe Leo traits, confident, warm, expressive, playful, courageous, generous, creative. And on the flip side, the low vibe LEO traits can be a little dramatic. True, uh, stubborn or overly focused on external validation.

Nicole: 13:52

Leo's spirit color is gold. Of course, it's gold. Leo energy is regal, radiant, and bold. It's all about standing out and shining bright. Gold represents the warmth and strength of the sun, Leo's ruler.

Alicia: 14:06

The Leo's flower, sunflower, or marigold. Both of these flowers turn towards the light, just like Leo. Sunflowers are vibrant, bold, and unapologetically Sunny

Nicole: 14:17

Leo's motto, I will. Leo Energy is strong-willed, heart-centered, and decisive. It's about leading with purpose and passion.

Alicia: 14:25

Leo's shadow work, letting go of the need for external validation. Leo teaches us to shine from the inside out, even when no one's watching.

Nicole: 14:35

The Leo crystals are cornelian, citrine, and sunstone. These stones all support confidence, creativity, and courage. Basically, they're energetic hype girls.

Alicia: 14:46

I don't think I'm familiar with those crystals. I'm definitely gonna have to check them out.

Nicole: 14:50

Yeah,

Alicia: 14:50

Okay. So whether or not you're a Leo sign, tapping into this energy is really about reclaiming your radiance. This is your sign to be seen, celebrated, and fully expressed.

Nicole: 15:02

Basically, Leo season is a time to ask, where do I want to shine more? Where am I ready to stop dimming my light? Sometimes shining just means showing up is your real self and owning it.

Alicia: 15:14

And it's a beautiful reminder that confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you build by showing up over and over again as your true self.

Nicole: 15:23

All right, Alicia, so after talking about all of the characteristics and features of the Leo sign, as a Leo yourself, how well do you feel like these things fit with your personality?

Alicia: 15:34

Yeah honestly, I feel like a lot of the Leo traits do fit me pretty well. I definitely have that creative side and I've always loved things like beauty, style, and self-expression, which totally tracks with the whole Leo ruled by the sun thing. But what's interesting is that I've always been pretty shy and introverted, so the idea of being seen or taking up space hasn't always felt natural for me. So I think for me, Leo Energy shows up more in how I express myself through creativity and how I care for others with a lot of heart. And honestly, this podcast is such a good example of that. It's pushed me to be more visible, to use my voice and to own my space a little more. And I think that's where the Leo in me is growing.

Nicole: 16:15

That's awesome. I love that. And I just have to say that just the fact that leopard prints are totally your jam, I feel like that's a very Leo thing. So that makes a lot of sense to me. And also as your sister and someone that's known you your whole life, I can definitely say that being charismatic fits and the playful thing is also so true. And actually it makes me think of something mom had told me that. Our sister was, dating someone that was a little bit reserved. He was, a little nervous about interacting with the family. We have a big family and she was talking him through our different personalities to help him kind of interact with us a little bit better. And mom had mentioned that. She had said about you. Oh, with Alicia, just joke around and you'll be good. So, it stuck with me because I remembered thinking that's really insightful and because it is very true. Like you do like to be playful and joke around. So I thought that was very on point. And then also being bold. You've never been afraid to explore your style. perhaps even amidst unsolicited criticism from the peanut gallery. But I've always admired your ability to just rock that bold style with confidence. And then definitely living with passion and heart. I do see a lot of these Leo characteristics in you for sure. If you're listening and wanna play with some of this Leo energy, here are a few journaling prompts or questions to reflect on. Where in my life am I ready to be more visible? What am I passionate about that I've been hiding? What would I do differently if I believed I was already enough?

Alicia: 17:53

I love those. Leo season is really an invitation to connect to your joy, to let yourself shine, not just for others, but for you.

Nicole: 18:02

So whether or not you're a Leo, we hope this episode inspires you to bring a little more boldness, creativity, and self-love into your midlife season.

Alicia: 18:11

And if this resonates with you, send it to a friend, especially one who's ready to shine a little brighter. Let's glow through Leo season together.

18:18

Thanks for hanging out with us on Midlife and Glowing. If you love this episode, it would mean the world to us. If you'd follow the show, leave us a review or share it with a friend who's glowing through midlife right alongside you. Let's make it our best era yet. We'll see you next time.