Step into the Joy Bubble: A love letter to who you’re becoming

Hello my loves,

Have you ever felt that bubbling energy that whispers, “Try something new. Laugh more. Take a chance?” Or maybe a hot tightness in your gut that screams, “This isn’t working. What the hell am I going to do?”

For me, one of the loudest moments of that energy was in my mid-30s. Recently divorced, new in grad school, stuck in an impossible job — I knew things had to change.

I call this period the start of my dadolescence.

Moving through Dadolescence

At first, I tried to bargain my way through it: finding concrete, safe steps I could take when what I was really facing was the unknown. I turned to serious planning, list-making, and control — not joy, not curiosity, not exploration. It worked in some ways, but left a lot of the fun out of the equation.

That’s why I’ve dedicated my individual coaching practice at Great Bear Coaching to folx in dadolescence. I help people navigate this stage with joy, self-love, and play — cultivating curiosity, experimentation, and bold steps toward the life they actually want.

And while “dadolescence” may sound like it’s only for gay men, it’s really relevant to anyone exploring a major life transition. So whether you’re navigating dadolescence, considering retirement, finding your way after a breakup, or exploring some other shift, stick around.

This newsletter will be a love letter to your future self each month — with encouragement, insights, and practical tools to help you on your adventure.

A Quick Note on the New Name

If you’ve been around a while, you may know this monthly email as the ‘Great Bear Compass’. I’ve decided to rename it the Joy Bubble to reflect the playful energy that eases transition. You can still expect the same care, same love, same queer joy.