Off the Grid, On Purpose: Clarity Through Slowing Down with Judy Rooney

Written By Wendy Rimmelspacher

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Welcome!

Do you ever feel pressure to keep moving forward—even when your soul (or your family) is asking for you to pause?

In this episode of Dim to Daring, I sit down with Judy Rooney—a licensed social worker, certified coach, Speaker, and a passionate advocate for empowering individuals navigating life’s transitions. Judy’s story is a powerful reminder that when you get clear on what you truly value, you can give yourself permission to pause, without guilt. By choosing alignment over hustle, she modeled what it looks like to honor your well-being and make bold decisions that reflect what matters most.

We explore what it means to consciously step off the treadmill of productivity, the false urgency social media can create, and how time spent fully present—with her family, her values, and her next right step—allowed Judy to live in alignment this season.

If you’ve been craving space to breathe, recalibrate, and reconnect, this conversation is your reminder: it’s not only okay to pause—it’s wise, brave, and deeply necessary.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • Why Judy pressed pause this summer—and how it became an act of clarity and courage

  • The internal tug-of-war between purpose and pressure that many high-achieving women experience

  • How trying new things in midlife can awaken dormant parts of yourself

  • The transformative power of full presence—with your family and with yourself

  • How social media can create a false sense of urgency (and what to do about it)

  • Why slowing down can help you hear your inner voice with more clarity

  • That stepping back doesn’t mean giving up—it means realigning

  • How to give yourself permission to try, explore, and pivot without guilt

✨ If you’re a driven woman wondering what’s next—or simply need permission to rest without losing your momentum—this episode is your invitation to embrace the wisdom in the pause.

Timestamps:

[01:00] Meet Judy Rooney – licensed social worker, speaker, & coach


[03:44] From motherhood to rediscovering purpose


[08:12] Mindset shifts + the “shoe” analogy for growth


[13:45] Why women hesitate—and how to shift that habit


[17:40] Turning failures into fuel


[20:25] The power of connection through workshops


[23:30] Cultural conditioning that keeps us stuck


[25:15] Growth means disruption—here’s how to face it


[29:44] Letting go of playing small


[31:30] Getting curious about limiting beliefs


[34:10] The Feel Good Approach to lasting change


[39:35] Judy’s top 3 empowering book recs


[44:40] What’s lighting her up this season


[46:15] A daring step: less doing, more being

Key Points:

  • Stepping Back Is Brave: It’s not about quitting—it’s about consciously choosing alignment.

  • Urgency Is Often an Illusion: Social media and success culture can distort your pace.

  • Presence Unlocks Clarity: Spaciousness allows the next chapter to reveal itself.

  • Trying New Things Sparks Growth: Saying yes to small opportunities can reignite your spark.

  • Your Timeline Is Sacred: You’re allowed to move at the speed of your own truth.

Episode Summary:

In this heart-opening conversation, Judy Rooney shares how pressing pause became a powerful act of clarity and courage. She talks about the summer she stepped back from striving, gave herself permission to rest, and found joy in simply being—with herself and her family, including her growing crew of grandchildren.

Together, we explore the quiet strength it takes to slow down in a world that rewards constant motion. We unpack the guilt many women carry around rest and why midlife isn’t the end of a chapter—but the start of a more intentional one.

If you’ve been craving space to breathe and wondering what comes next, Judy’s story is a beautiful reminder: you don’t have to race ahead to move forward. Sometimes the most daring thing you can do is stop, listen, and let your next season unfold on your terms.

Links & Resources:

CONNECT WITH JUDY:

CONNECT WITH WENDY:

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Remember:

  • Keep choosing what lights you up.

  • Keep saying YES to bold opportunities.

  • And keep daring to expand into your most fulfilling life. đź‘ 

Wendy Rimmelspacher
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