Welcome to the Blooming Mindset, a weekly dose of clarity, mindset, and practical wisdom to help you stay consistent, think more deeply, and build a life aligned with your identity and purpose. I'm Ruth Rieckehoff, and I'm so glad you're here. Please share this newsletter with a friend!
Beloved Architect of Identity,
I used to think I could wing it.
That if I had just enough grit, hope, and a few scribbled goals, I’d be able to weather any storm life threw my way.
After all, I had faith. I prayed. I trusted the process.
But I grew up in Puerto Rico.
And if there’s one thing you learn living in the Caribbean, it’s this:
Hope alone doesn’t keep your roof on when the hurricane hits.
I still remember Hurricane Hugo in '89—no power for two weeks. I was just a kid, and suddenly, the world felt different—slower, heavier, and realer.
Then came Georges in 2003. I was a freshman in college. I thought about staying in my dorm, but something told me to go home.
Thank God I did. The hurricane wreaked havoc on the island. I stayed with my family for over a week just waiting for things to stabilize.
And of course, there was Maria in 2017. I had already moved to California. But the devastation back home… it echoed across the world. You couldn’t ignore it.
Here’s the thing about hurricanes:
You know they’re coming.
You see them on the radar.
You get a storm watch, then a warning.
The alerts go out.
The grocery shelves empty.
The shutters go up.
It’s not a surprise.
You may not know exactly how bad it’ll be... but you know enough to prepare.
That’s the point.
Because storms—literal or metaphorical—are part of life.
So why do we treat life’s personal storms like a surprise?
I used to hear this all the time:
"Just keep the faith. Things will work out."
So I did. I prayed. I believed. I hoped…
…but I didn’t prepare.
I didn’t secure the “roof” of my mindset.
I didn’t stock the “pantry” of my habits.
I didn’t check the “windows” of my support systems.
And when the emotional hurricane hit. When life got messy, confusing, heavy,
I crumbled.
You ever been there?
You think you’re fine, until the storm shows up and reminds you just how vulnerable your setup really was.
That’s when it hit me:
Faith does not encompass only belief and trust; it also comprises actions. Belief makes you commit and execute.
It isn’t about ignoring the storm. It’s about having the wisdom to prepare for it.
Because just like hurricanes, life’s challenges are inevitable.
Loss, disappointment, burnout, and failure are all on the radar.
We may not know when or how strong, but we know they’re coming.
So now?
I still pray.
I still hope.
But I also prepare.
I prepare my mindset.
I stock up on habits.
I surround myself with grounded people, not just when the skies are blue but also when everything turns gray.
Because surviving isn’t just about strength, it’s about structure.
And thriving?
That’s built on wisdom, not winging it.
So if you’ve been hoping things will work out... but you’re not preparing your inner life, your systems, your relationships,
Friend, that’s like going surfing during a hurricane warning.
Don’t do it.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Prepare as if the storm is coming.
Because one day, it will.
And when it does,
You won’t just survive.
You’ll still be standing.
Maybe even stronger than before.
Until next week!
Keep blooming,
Ruth
Reflect
- Where in your life are you ignoring the warning signs of an incoming storm?
- What would “wise preparation” look like in that area?
Reframe
Old belief: “If I stay positive and work hard, everything will be fine.”
New belief: “I can stay positive and plan for the inevitable storms. Preparation honors the life I want to protect.”
Actionable Transformation
- Choose one area of your life—money, health, relationships, work—and create a simple “storm protocol.” What would you do if things suddenly got hard?
- Identify one small habit you can build now to help you stay grounded when life gets chaotic.
- Don’t wait for a crisis to force clarity. Schedule time this week to reflect and prepare while the skies are still clear.
P.S. This story is more than a memory. It’s a mindset. And if you’re in a season where you’re building toward something big—career, business, personal growth—you can’t afford to ignore the preparation phase. The time to get grounded is before the pressure hits.
P.P.S. Want tools to help you prep your mind, build resilience, and create systems that hold firm every season? Follow me on X for more stormproof content.
