Rediscovering Your Smile
At ithrive31, we believe in empowering individuals to live with intentionality, purpose, and confidence. Through our unique 31-day approach, we help clients uncover what matters most, set actionable goals, and create meaningful change in their lives. Heather Lilienthal’s inspiring story is a testament to the transformative power of this process. Here, Heather shares her journey of rediscovery and finding her smile again.
Finding My Smile with ithrive31
By Heather Lilienthal
Looking in a mirror should be easy. You simply glance at your reflection and recognize yourself. But what happens when you don’t? When you don’t see the person you used to be—the one with the bright, easy smile? It’s disheartening, even heartbreaking.
After grappling with this identity crisis, I knew I needed help. I needed someone to guide me back to myself. That’s when I found Dorene MacVey and learned about ithrive31’s 31-day approach. It changed everything.
It was October 2024, and I was nearing the end of a nearly four-year season of loss and uncertainty. A job I had loved ended abruptly, leaving me questioning my worth. During those years, I also experienced the loss of dear family members, endured the challenges of Covid, and battled hormonal changes that made me feel like a stranger in my own skin. I found myself wondering, Where did my smile go?
When I met with Dorene, she listened intently as I poured out my fears and frustrations. She had an incredible way of noticing the moments when I lit up—like when I spoke about my passion for association work, developing leaders, and my dream of becoming a librarian. She also gently nudged me to confront my fears—the uncertainty of starting over at 50, the pressure to figure out what’s next, and the challenge of finding my smile again.
Dorene introduced me to ithrive31’s goal-setting process.
Rooted in six key areas—financial, physical, emotional, professional, relationship, and spiritual—the approach encourages setting 1-3 attainable goals in each area over 31 days. At first, I wasn’t sure. Even after years as a deadline-driven writer, I’ve never been great at setting goals for myself. But I gave it a try.
My goals were a mix of big and small steps: don’t buy any new clothes, develop a friend check-in process, schedule a meeting with my library mentors, and revive a Bible study—all within 31 days. The process was simple but profound.
From the moment I started outlining my goals, I felt a shift. I scheduled meetings, reached out to my favorite people, and scrolled past tempting shopping ads. I took actionable steps toward a different career path and allowed myself the space to dream—for me.
One of my biggest breakthroughs was addressing professional turmoil.
My work with my husband and close friends at our family business was meaningful, but deep down, I felt a pull toward something different. For years, I carried guilt about wanting to shift my focus. But ithrive31 helped me clarify my needs and have honest conversations with my husband. Together, we hired someone to take over my role, allowing me to support the business while also exploring my next chapter.
The ithrive31 process gave me the tools to set accessible, attainable, and actionable goals. By the time I met with Dorene again, I was energized and excited to celebrate my progress. Dorene noticed the lightness in my voice and the optimism in my outlook. For the first time in years, I felt like me again.
Most importantly, ithrive31 gave me the “mirror” I needed to reflect on my life, take meaningful action, and nurture the relationships that matter most. And yes, I found my smile again. For me, that smile is more than just a reflection in the mirror. It’s the foundation, the fuel, and the fun that makes me who I am. It’s how I want to interact with the world—with joy, authenticity, and confidence.
I am forever grateful to Dorene and ithrive31 for this incredible gift. To this day, I continue to use the 31-day approach to set goals, nurture my well-being, and keep my smile alive.
Start Your Journey Today
If you’re ready to rediscover your smile and take actionable steps toward the results you are looking for in your life, ithrive31 is here to help. Let’s build something great together. Visit ithrive31.com to learn more.
