Embracing Change and Finding Purpose

Jeanne Blasberg is an award-winning, best-selling author and essayist, prominently known for embracing change and her engaging storytelling that delves into the complexity of human experiences. Jeanne is also an accomplished athlete and the CEO of Flynn Creek Farms in Wisconsin. Her multifaceted career began in the financial world, with noteworthy tenures on Wall Street and with Federated Department Stores. Jeanne has lived an adventurous life across different continents, including a significant stint in Switzerland. Currently, she channels her passion for the environment and sustainable living through her work at Flynn Creek Farms.

In this episode of “Aging with Purpose and Passion,” host Beverley Glazer engages in an inspiring conversation with Jeanne Blasberg. Jeanne’s journey from a tumultuous childhood marked by her mother’s alcoholism to becoming a successful author and farm CEO illustrates the power of resilience and self-discovery to embracing change. Beverley and Jeanne dive deep into Jeanne’s life, highlighting how her past experiences shaped her into the empathetic and resilient individual she is today.

Key Takeaways from Embracing Change and Finding Purpose with Jeanne Blasberg:

The Psychological Shift: From Corporate Success to Soulful Living

Jeanne’s transition from the corporate world to a more meaningful, purpose-driven life is a testament to the power of following one’s true calling. Her professional journey initially took her to the executive sector, where she thrived in finance and corporate planning roles. However, she always felt like a “round peg in a square hole.”

The corporate world, while lucrative and filled with learning opportunities, was not authentically her path. Jeanne acknowledges, “The whole time I was in that world, I kind of knew I was forcing myself.”

Interestingly, it was her husband’s midlife realization that catalyzed their drastic change. He desired to live someplace new, beyond their entrenched roots. When he suggested international relocation, Jeanne was all in. Their adventurous spirit led them to Zurich, Switzerland, and later back to Boston, all experiences that enriched them and their family’s lives deeply.

During these years, Jeanne gained independence and a broader worldview, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that profoundly redirected her life’s course.

“During COVID, my husband and I looked at each other and thought, ‘Is the next 30 years going to be about travel and leisure activities, or are we going to try to help?'”

Rethinking Purpose: The Leap to Sustainable Farming

Jeanne and her husband’s decision to move to Flynn Creek Farms in Wisconsin marked a significant pivot. Inspired by the fragility they witnessed in the food system and the broader environmental issues, the couple ventured into sustainable, regenerative farming. This realm aligned closely with Jeanne’s evolving sense of purpose.

Jeanne detailed this transformative moment: “We set off on this journey to find a farm… In a very simplifying way, we drilled it all back to the health of the soil.”

The farm became not just a vocation but a way of life, offering peace and a platform for endless learning and creativity. It embodied their commitment to meaningful contributions and personal fulfillment. Jeanne attributes much of her current happiness and sense of worth to this endeavor. She beautifully articulates, “I have a life of my own design that isn’t anything that I really inherited… I feel like I’m 25 again, learning a new job.” 

Switching to a farm lifestyle wasn’t merely about escaping their previous life; it was about addressing larger systemic issues while redefining personal satisfaction. They went beyond just financial independence, aiming instead for a more holistic form of enrichment.

Embracing Liberation: Letting Go to Truly Move Forward

One of Jeanne’s standout pieces of advice for those feeling stuck or purposeless is the importance of letting go—whether material possessions, old paradigms, or societal expectations. She encourages starting small to build momentum.

“Clean out a drawer or a closet full of crap… Taking those little steps sometimes. The whole idea of what it would take [moving or making major changes] is exhausting.”

Marie Kondo-ing her life, Jeanne began letting go of objects and commitments that weighed her down. This newfound simplicity enabled her to pursue a farm and a fulfilling new chapter in her life. The cumulative effect of these small steps created a significant sense of freedom and possibility. 

As Jeanne liberated herself from her past and the associated objects and memories, she found herself more open to opportunities. She further illustrates, “I would just say letting things go; it starts to feel like you just can’t stop.” The ripple effect of simplifying one’s life can lead to unforeseen opportunities and renewed purpose.

Jeanne’s story is a powerful reminder that the essence of ‘reinvention’ doesn’t always mean starting anew but might involve peeling away the layers to reveal one’s authentic self—free from the weights of past expectations and failures. Her life lesson is clear: the courage to confront and transcend one’s past can open avenues to passions and callings you never knew existed.

Connect with Jeanne Blasberg:

jeanneblasberg.com

https://www.facebook.com/jeanneblasbergauthor

https://www.instagram.com/jeanneblasbergauthor/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-blasberg/

https://jeanneblasberg.substack.com/

Connect with Bev:

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/

Get the Readiness Reinvention Quiz – Are You Prepared to Transform Your Life?: 

The Reinvention Readiness Quiz™

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