There’s a certain kind of magic in a woman who knows who she is. She moves differently, speaks with purpose, and carries herself in a way that commands presence—not because she seeks attention, but because she no longer needs permission to take up space. This is the essence of a woman in her Full Cup Era, and for Nicolette, stepping into this season of life wasn’t just a choice—it was a revelation.

The Journey to Owning Her Story

For years, Nicolette played by the rules society handed her. She did what was expected, molded herself into what others needed, and often silenced her own voice in the process. Like so many women, she thought confidence was something you had or didn’t have—an innate trait reserved for the bold, the fearless, the effortlessly charismatic. But confidence, she would learn, wasn’t about being loud or knowing all the answers. It was about standing firm in who she was, even when the world pushed back.

“I don’t think I fully understood what confidence meant until recently,” she admits, reflecting on the past year of her life. “It wasn’t about pretending to be sure of myself—it was about showing up, over and over again, until I started to feel sure.”

The shift didn’t happen overnight. It was in the small, deliberate choices: speaking up in conversations where she once stayed silent, walking into rooms without shrinking, and setting boundaries that protected her peace. Each moment built upon the last, layering self-assurance like bricks in a foundation she had never been taught to build.

Confidence, she realized, wasn’t something she waited to feel before acting—it was something she practiced until it became real. And the more she embodied it, the more it became a part of her.

Finding Connection in a Disconnected World

For many women, entering the 40s can feel like stepping into a crossroads. Friendships change, priorities shift, and the support system we once relied on may not fit the person we are becoming.

But in Nicolette’s hometown of New Orleans, she found a sense of belonging.

“What people don’t realize about this city is how deeply it embraces you,” she shares. “You can go to a parade alone and leave with lifelong friends. People here open their homes, their tables, their hearts. It’s not just a place—it’s a feeling.”

Surrounding herself with people who celebrated life rather than just endured it became a turning point. She found community in unexpected places—strangers who became friends, moments of shared laughter that felt like home. And in those connections, she learned an important truth: we don’t have to walk through life alone. We aren’t meant to.

When women uplift one another, when we hold space for each other’s growth, we create something unbreakable. Nicolette’s journey is proof of that.

Redefining Wellness on Her Own Terms

Wellness, for years, had been something Nicolette thought she needed to perfect. Diet trends, gym routines, and self-imposed expectations turned it into something rigid—another box to check rather than a way to honor her body.

But in her ***Full Cup Era***, she’s learned to redefine what health means for her.
“People assume I love the gym, but I don’t,” she laughs, shaking her head. “But I go because I love me—because I want to feel strong, energized, and capable. It’s not about looking a certain way anymore. It’s about showing up for myself.”
She no longer exercises out of obligation but as an act of self-care. She fuels her body with intention, not restriction. And most importantly, she listens—to what she needs, what feels good, and what truly nourishes her from the inside out.
“Wellness isn’t about punishment,” she says with a knowing smile. “It’s about joy. And I choose joy every single time.”

Self-Care as a Daily Ritual

One of the most radical acts of self-love Nicolette has embraced is turning the ordinary into the sacred. Something as simple as preparing a meal has become a moment of gratitude—a way of reminding herself that she deserves care.

“I don’t take my meals lightly,” she shares. “I sit down, I enjoy every bite, and I remind myself—this is love. This is me, choosing me”

In a world that constantly demands more, it’s easy to rush through the little things. But she has learned that presence—the act of slowing down, of truly being in her life—is one of the greatest gifts she can give herself.

The Power of Saying No

There was a time when Nicolette feared the weight of the word “no”. She worried about disappointing people, about losing relationships, about being seen as difficult. But she has since learned that the ability to say no is one of the most powerful forms of self-respect.

“There’s a lot of grieving that comes with growth,” she says. “Because when you start choosing yourself, not everyone is going to celebrate it.”

But the right people will. The ones who truly love you will honor your boundaries, respect your choices, and never ask you to shrink to make them comfortable. Nicolette no longer sees no as rejection—it’s an invitation for the right people, the right opportunities, and the right energy to come into her life.

A Life Fully Lived

Looking back, Nicolette sees the shift into her *Full Cup Era* clearly—not as a single moment, but as a series of choices that led her to the life she has today.

Confidence wasn’t something she simply decided to have; it was something she grew into, one boundary, one act of self-care, and one moment of self-acceptance at a time.

A Call to Step Into Your Full Cup Era

“It’s time we start taking care of ourselves,” Nicolette urges. “We’ve seen what happens when we pour from an empty cup—exhaustion, resentment, burnout. We deserve better.”

Her journey is a call to action for every woman reading this: You are allowed to take up space. You are allowed to say no. You are allowed to step into the fullest, most vibrant version of yourself.

Your Full Cup Era isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you step into.

Are You Ready to Live Life Unapologetically?

What’s one thing you’re doing to choose you? Let’s start the conversation—drop a comment below.

Know someone who embodies this journey? We’re always looking to celebrate incredible women who are living boldly. Nominate an Amazing Woman for our next feature here.

Because when women step into their power, the world changes. And it starts with you.

Living Life Unapologetically: How Nicolette Found Her Full Cup