The Next Twenty-Three

Hi friends. The most amazing thing happened last week. I got a phone call that took me back over two decades. It was literally like no time had passed except it was like a million years had gone by. That is the beauty and the gold when you muster up twenty seconds of insane courage and do a thing. It can change your life.  Trust me. Love you guys. www.TaylorStreetDesigns.com  

We all know the "Word of the Year" right? It's when you choose a word that you want to have for your intention for the new year. Last night, while out on a date with the Copywriter, I decided I wanted to also have a Summary Word of the Year. This is a word that summarizes the previous year based on all the adventures or mis-adventures you have had.  It's been a fun 18 hours of remembering, reminiscing and re-capping all the details of 2024 and coming up with a word (or in my case, a phrase) that perfectly captures what has been. Enjoy. Cheers to 2024. Here's to 2025. Love you guys and I am cheering for you. Kellie P.S. - If you want to know my 2025 Word of the Year, sign up today for my emails. I'm sharing it tomorrow - 1/1/2025 there. Go here - www.TaylorStreetDesigns.com  Scroll to the bottom and sign up.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the thing I have noticed the most (and yet again) is the helpers. They have shown up with heart and strength and fierce grit. They are running into the danger and literally moving mountains to help. So what do you do if you want to help but literally CAN'T? This is what I am thinking about today. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Welcome to the very FIRST episode of The Next Twenty Three podcast that is not just me! I am so very excited to have our very first guest on the show... The one and only - Alex Taylor (IYKYK!! If you don't know, Alex is an incredible human, film maker, brother, friend and most importantly to me—my son. I couldn't be more excited to share this conversation we had with all of you about his journey of coming out and how we look at it as a Welcoming In to his beautiful life. So sit back, relax and enjoy the next hour of your life. I promise, you will thank me later.  Love you guys. Kellie www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Hi friends. I know I promised in the last episode that this one would be all about the "apps". But then I realized the most of you probably are NOT in the dating space so it wouldn't really be that interesting for you. But...for those of you who are...don't fret. I'm going to give you ALL of my thoughts and non-knowledge of the dating apps over on my instagram - @TaylorStreetDesigns For this episode - I am talking about why and how I am "feeling 22". I don't know about you, but I am definitely feeling 22 and it is f*cking magical! Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Here it is...my Top 10 Rules for Online Dating! I am sure there are a million others that should be discussed, but these are the ones that I thought were super helpful this past year and a half as I have navigated this world of internet dating.  It's a wild ride kids, and you gotta be careful out there. Hope these help. Take what you need and leave the rest. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

You guys: The much anticipated, LONG awaited Dating Series is here!  I am very excited to share my dating experiences with you - the good, the bad, the funny, the ridiculous, the embarrassing, the all of it! Welcome to my "rom-com, sit-com, dramady" story of my life. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

You guys. Today's episode may be a bit of a controversial topic. I really believe it is quite polarizing. You either LOVE it or HATE it with a fiery passion. And it happened to me yesterday. The Pop-In! Take a listen to see which side of the aisle I solidly sit on this topic (if you can't already guess). Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Hi friends. This episode is dedicated to all the mom's who have to say goodbye to their big kids - again. Whether it's sending them back to college for their Spring Semester, off to serve our country, moving them to a new city to start their adult lives, or any of the other million reasons...this Love Letter is for you. I see you. I feel you. I am you. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Happy New Year friends! This year I am NOT writing resolutions, but I am doing something even better...I am manifesting MORE!  I have no idea how to manifest or what it actually entails, but you can believe that I am doing it this year! 2024 is the year we get more love, more joy, more peace, more adventure, more excitement, more money and more happiness. I want that for all of us! What do you want more of in 24? Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Can Salt change and not be salty? Can people change who they are–like who they really are deep in their core? This is the question I asked myself one night while I was attempting to cook dinner. Also - why is there more than one kind of salt and why do I have 4 of them?!?! love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Hi friends. I am back after 3 months of doing SO many things to avoid some very hard feelings. The GOOD news is I have been super productive and launch 2 brand spanking NEW things (see below). The bad news - I have been avoiding my big feelings about being an empty next.  And I am probably still doing it so we aren't going to talk about that. We are going to talk about this idea of "Can you be Fearless AND Scared Shitless at the same time?" I have one very strong opinion on this. Also, I launched a shirt company in September (www.ComfyThreads.co) and an online course last week teaching you how to produce and launch your very own podcast (www.TaylorStreetDesigns.com/podcast-course) If you are 20 or 50, this is a great episode for you. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Today I turned 50. Today I published my 50th episode. Today I felt so very LOVED from all my people. Today I realized that from this day forward, I want to always be creating my life - a life of joy and happiness and adventure and wild abandon. Today was a VERY good day! love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Today is the very LAST day of my 40s. And while I have learned a crap-ton of lessons in this decade, here are 4 good ones that are serving me well. Enjoy & Cheers to endings that lead to new beginnings! Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Baby Bonus: This episode is short little bonus about how I felt when I learned what my kids thought about how I showed up to College Move-In week for my daughter. I did not expect their reaction. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

SO much good stuff in this episode, but the ONLY thing you MUST do today is find Sarah Reeves in your Spotify (or wherever you listen to music). Trust me - she is precious and amazing and has the most beautiful voice. Trust me - you NEED her in your life immediately. Specifically, I am talking about her song BEST DAYS. It's incredible - especially if you are standing on the edge of cliff about to write the next chapter of your life.  Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

At 2 months shy of turning 50, I experienced a FIRST today and I'm not gonna lie - I am equal parts mortified at myself for loving it and completely loving it! I also mentioned @EmilyMorse - Doctor of Human Sexuality - and her Master Class (hint, it's really great!) Also - if you want to WATCH this as a VIDEO PODCAST - go HERE   P.S. - I also shared a BIG announcement at the end...www.ComfyThreads.co Love you guys! Kellie www.TheNextTwentyThree.com

I think I have a slightly different take on the phrase "I was better than I was yesterday, but not as good as I'll be tomorrow" and it might surprise you. Not sure if it's my lack of a competitive spirit or all the work I have been doing over the past several years, but I think I may be on to something. Also - I take a little detour to give some of my favorite parenting advice. Love you guys. Kellie P.S. - if you want to WATCH this podcast, you can hop on over to YouTube and see it here www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

What would happen if we flipped these words that we tell ourselves? Instead of saying "I can't do _____." We simply say "I don't want to do _____." I'm gonna tell you what I think would happen. Oh, and by the way - this is my VERY FIRST Video Podcast! And I am SUPER excited! If you want to WATCH this podcast - head on over to YouTube. Also, the woman I mention towards the end is Olympic Gold Medalist Erin Jackson. She is amazing! And actually from Florida (not a fabulous tropical island) but her story is amazing and a perfect example of what I am talking about. Look her up. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Two little words. Six letters. One space.  It's amazing how such a small thing can make such a huge impact in one's life. The universe has been serving up these two little words to me over the past few weeks and she has been relentless in wanting me to pay attention.  Well, I am finally paying attention.  And guess what? These two words are brings such clarity and reality into my life right now. The reality is we can be grieving and yet still feel happy. The reality is we can have regrets and yet still be grateful that it happened. The reality is we can fail and yet still be proud. Clearly, life is both. Love  you guys! P.S. - I am also putting something really scary and absurd out into the world in this episode and yet still very excited about it. Enjoy. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Is it possible to be both strong AND soft? F*ck Yes it is.  Today's episode is short and sweet and gives a fantastic reference to one of my favorite 90's sitcoms! AND I'm sharing my feelings about how life is so much better and interesting when we have an AND/BOTH perspective. Love you guys! www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Happy Valentines Week! I have been thinking a LOT about three little words this week. BUT... Not those three little words. These are words that a friend said to me recently that stirred up similar feelings as "those" words, but in a very different way. I am dedicating myself to make them part of my everyday vernacular and my everyday life because they are equal parts a gift and an invitation (two of my favorite things)! Take a listen and I'll Tell You More. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Hi friends. Today's episode is 100% my own personal Therapy Session. I am not sure if it will benefit anyone other than me, but it has been a hell of a week and I just need to talk it out. Thank you in advance for listening. Love you guys! Also - BIG shout out to Sissy Williams - my amazing, wonderful, fabulous realtor! www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Last year a friend of mine said something to me that over the past few months I have heard over and over again. The universe has been bringing me this energy through social media, podcasts, books and people. So for the past couple of months I have been thinking about it - nonstop. And it is the energy and vibe that I am bringing into 2023. Also - my prediction is that if everyone on the planet adopted this philosophy, 92% of the worlds problems would be solved. I said what I said. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

What the Hell? You guys, It's 2023! How incredibly magical is that?!?! And what is really magical is that I am finally back with a new episode! I know it's been SO long and I have really missed you.  I'm not going to do a deep dive recap of my 2022 (you can listen to all the past episodes for all the details) but I do have a top 6 list of things I have learned about myself. And I have 1 single plan for 2023. Just one - and it's a good one. Also, as promised in this episode, here is the link to my 2023 playlist that includes my Song of the Year for Kellie Taylor. Enjoy and you are Welcome!! Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

If you guys have ever been curious about me and my life growing up - or my siblings - or why I am the way that I am...this is the episode for you. I dive deep into my past and share some feelings about my present. Of course I share my view on a very important topic that we all have to deal with—HARD CONVERSATIONS. Oh - and I changed up the format just a bit, so let me know what you think. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

You guys...I am back! It has been an amazing summer and I have loved every second of it!  I also celebrated my 1 year anniversary of my new single life - and I am so very proud about that! And now I am deep in the throws of ALL THE FEELINGS about school starting and my kids leaving again.  And year 2 is bringing new decisions that need to be made about my house. It's a total mind f*ck. But, there is still peace and happiness and love and joy. So, it's all good. Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com

Welcome back to my Summer Music series. I was introduced to a "new to me" artist a couple of weeks ago and I am seriously in LOVE! Lily Meola's album "Daydream" is incredible and I love so many songs on it. The first one I hear - Sunshine - hit me deep and has had me thinking a LOT over the past couple of weeks. It also inspired me to do something that I wasn't sure I had been doing, but I think is a very good thing. Take a listen to this short episode if you want to know what this song has inspired me to do and I also give some tips for you as well. And if you decide you don't want to listen to me, that is totally fine. But you MUST go listen to her. Seriously, go now. Lily Meola Daydream - her album Sunshine - this song   Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Happy Summer! I have decided to do a summer series that is all about music. The reasons are vast but my main inspiration was from a Short Film created by Alex Taylor at www.AlexTaylorFilms.com - The Melody. I promise, you want to have a look.   I want kick off this series with the most amazing artist that I have heard in a VERY LONG TIME...@_nightbirde . I was served up one of her songs from the new Spotify "shuffle" algorithm - of which, I am a HUGE fan. After falling in love with her song "It's Okay", I found another song of hers that touched me to my core - "You're Brave". You have to listen to her sing these words and then listen to this episode to find out how it touched me so very deeply. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Please tell me that I am not the only one who has a slight obsession with hugs!?!? For as long as I can remember I have loved hugs - giving them and receiving them. There is so much MORE to a hug than just the hug. In this episode I share my theory about them, my categories of them and my feelings about them. Let me know if you agree or not - I would love to hear what you think. And in honor of PRIDE month, I want to give a shoutout to an amazing organization and woman who is building a better world - one Mom Hug at a time. www.FreeMomHugs.org - Their mission: Empowering the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, education and conversation. And yes, they still give hugs!   Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Hi friends. This has been a f*cking awful week. I don't yet have the words for what is happening in our country and to our babies and am still processing the tragedy that occurred in Texas this week.  I recorded this episode the day it happened and had to focus very specifically on something I have been struggling with for a few weeks because my heart wasn't ready - and still isn't - to put words to it. But please know that I will. And I will put actions to it as well. Soon. But today, my brain is stepping up to protect my heart like she has been doing for weeks.  Beloveds - give your heart the grace and space she needs to grieve and break. Let her rest. Allow her to tell you when she is ready. Because when she is - she will do magical things. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentythree.com  

Don't you HATE it when you don't do the right thing—on purpose—and have to go back and make it right? Me too. This was me last week which led to a really crappy situation that I put myself in.  As Mark Twain said, "It is never wrong to do the right thing." But sometimes it IS F*cking hard! Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Spring Break + Cross County Travels + Snowboarding + Broken Ribs = Life Changing Perspective. Trust me, this one small shift can make a BIG difference in your life. Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Last week the universe brought some pretty amazing words of wisdom to me from an unlikely source by way of MORE home appliances crapping out on me. Tom P. - thank you for all your help, all your patience, all your words of wisdom and all your grace. And thank you most of all for the wrench!! Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

During the first 4 months after my ex and I decided to end our marriage and before we told the kids, there were two things that were giving me life—Schitt's Creek and my Playlist. We had good reasons for waiting to tell the kids, but those were some hella hard months. Today I thought I would share one of the songs from my playlist that helped me make it through. "That's The Kind Of Woman" by Julia Michaels Also, if you are looking for more amazing songs to add to your life, here is the playlist that tells the story of this first year of my new life. The Next Twenty-Three Playlist Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

This week I have learned some major life lessons from a concussion and a plumber. I know it seems crazy that these two things can be related, much less provide very important direction for my life, but here we are. Take a listen to the full story, but bottom line... Be brave and do the hard work to heal and fix your problems before shit gets really severe. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

This episode was a hard one to figure out. There is so much terrible going on in the world right now - between Russia & the Ukraine and Florida and Texas - that I couldn't really find the appropriate words. So instead, I thought I would answer this question that I got this week from a friend: "Do you think everyone deserves to be happy?" This is a short one, so take a listen. Love you guys. P.S. - if you are an LGBTQ+ youth and need someone to talk to or need some support or help, reach out to www.TheTrevorProject.org - they are an amazing organization and are here for you 24/7. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

This week the Universe has been wanting me to think about when and how I knew my marriage was over. How do I know this? Because when the Universe wants you to think about something, she finds a way to put it in your path as often and randomly as possible.  4 times this week, I have been asked (in various ways) this question: "When did you know your marriage was over?" And since you guys know I am an open book about my life, and since there might be a reason I am supposed to be answering this question, I decided that Valentines week was the perfect (or worst) time to tell this story.  Be warned - this one is longer than my usual episodes. And, while I know that "All people are different people" — Ted Lasso / and everyone's story is different, this is my story and I hope it helps you in some way. Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com

Hi friends. We have a new addition to our family and I couldn't be happier! 2 weeks ago we welcomed Betty White The Pup into our family and she is the absolute BEST thing to happen to us in a very long time.  Week One was all about figuring each other out and helping her get comfortable in her new home. I had forgotten how much work a puppy is, but the cuteness they ooze out of every inch of their bodies, makes up for all of it. Week Two has been fun and filled with me learning new things from her. I thought I would share 5 of the best things I have learned from Betty White the Pup this week with all of you. For pictures of this little slice of sweetness, you can head over to the blog at www.TheNextTwentyThree.com or follow her on Insta @BettyWhiteThePup22 Love you guys.

Yesterday was my sister's birthday...and this is how I feel about it. If you are lucky enough to know her, then you will know EXACTLY what I am talking about. If you have not met her in person, listen to this episode to get a glimpse of why I am like I am. Happy Birthday, Hope. You always make everything okay! I love you. Kel -    www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Six years ago this week I lost my mother. It was a hard and tragic day. But this year, I was able to not focus on the events of that day and instead, remember the amazing woman that she was. She was incredibly beautiful - but didn't know it. She was stronger than any woman I have ever known - but didn't know it. And she LOVED well. Her six grandchildren were the loves of her life. They lit her up from the inside and she made each one of them feel like they were the most special people on this earth.  A couple of years after she died, I wrote a chapter about that time. I thought I would share it with you here as it is something that we all need to hear. It's hard to share as it highlights the very worst decision I have ever made in my entire life, but the lesson I learned from this life altering mistake is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, mom, for loving me well. Even when I don't. Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com P.S. - if you are looking for someone to help you through a hard time, might I suggest finding a good therapist? If you don't know where to go, start here - they are wonderful... www.PeachtreePsychology.com  

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you are changing and growing and building something so amazing that you realize you are falling in LOVE with it? That is exactly what I realized today. I am truly and deeply falling in LOVE with this new life I am creating. These are my thoughts around that... Love you guys! P.S. - Today is also the birthday of one of the very best people I know. She is pure human inspiration. She is my parenting touch-stone. She is brilliant and kind and beautiful. Please go to her site and give her some love - www.jeanninejannot.com   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

Happy 2022! This week I was reminded of a couple of things that I think are really important and could be very helpful for all of us there year. One I hadn't thought about in a VERY long time and one that I have actually been doing over the past 6 years but have not shared with all of you. Also, I am happy to report that my word of the year is still holding strong - 7 days in! Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

I think we can ALL agree that no one will be sad to see 2021 be behind us. And since we also said that about 2020, I am stepping into 2022 with cautious optimism. I am sharing my word for the year for 2022 and I think it's one that is not only good for my heart and soul, but also the heart and soul of our world.  What is your word for 2022? Love you guys. Kellie www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

A letter to my daughter on her 17th birthday also became a letter to all of you. Love You Guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

What is the one thing  you want to be remembered for? Hint: It is also your life's WHY. Thinking about this question will lead you to remembering all of the wonderful qualities that make you so beautifully, uniquely YOU. It's a very good thing to do. Love you guys.   www.TheNextTwentyThree.com  

What do Glennon, Abby, Amanda and Brene all have in common? They are the 4 women that are responsible for my total and complete transformation of how I look at my fear. And it all happened on a sunny, 70 degree day in December.  Really, you guys. How is it possible that basically every single day I hear something or learn something that hits me in all the feels in the exact way I need it to hit at exactly the right time??? It's either God, the Universe or Google. Either way, I am grateful and changed. Thank you Brene Brown and the We Can Do Hard Things Podcast for todays lesson. Love you guys! www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Welcome to the 6th episode in the Ted Lasso series of The Next Twenty-Three. Don't worry - there will be NO spoilers here (except the actual quote). I fully respect those of you who are choosing to hold off until each season if fully posted so you can binge it. Serious props to your self-control! I won't be providing pre or post quote context from the show - only from my own life. As we head into Thanksgiving Week, I thought it would be timely to talk about all the things I am truly thankful for. Even during the hardest seasons of my life, I have always been able to find pieces of my life that are beautiful and serve me well and I am able to be grateful for them (eventually). So, if you are going through a particularly hard time, I hope that this episode will help to guide your thoughts to at least one thing that you are thankful for today. We can't all be Ted Lasso, but we sure as hell can all learn from his wisdom. :) Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com

Welcome to the 5th episode in the Ted Lasso series of The Next Twenty-Three. Don't worry - there will be NO spoilers here (except the actual quote). I fully respect those of you who are choosing to hold off until each season if fully posted so you can binge it. Serious props to your self-control! I won't be providing pre or post quote context from the show - only from my own life. This week I have been thinking about a quote from Jamie Tartt - "Coach, I'm me. Why would I want to be anyone else?" I have also been going down the "Imposter Syndrome" rabbit hole and spending too much time on the "I'm not enough" path. So, today, I am changing paths - with the help of my friends and my sister and my own experience. Oh, and of course, Jamie Tartt! I also tell you guys what I actually do for a living. :) Love you guys. www.TheNextTwentyThree.com www.TaylorStreetDesigns.com  

Welcome to the 4th episode in the Ted Lasso series of The Next Twenty-Three. Don't worry - there will be NO spoilers here (except the actual quote). I fully respect those of you who are choosing to hold off until each season if fully posted so you can binge it. Serious props to your self-control! I won't be providing pre or post quote context from the show - only from my own life. This week I had an amazing opportunity that uncovered another casualty of divorce and it started and ended with a very unexpected invitation from a woman I have known and respected for many years. She lives in Boston and was attending the 3% Conference here in Atlanta and texted me on Monday with an invitation to join her and her team the next day. It was incredible. This simple invitation led to a 48 hour of breath taking rollercoaster of emotion - from good to surprising to hard to great. Thank you, Kelly Fredrickson! www.TheNextTwentyThree.com    

Welcome to the 3rd episode in the Ted Lasso series of The Next Twenty-Three. Don't worry - there will be NO spoilers here (except the actual quote). I fully respect those of you who are choosing to hold off until each season if fully posted so you can binge it. Serious props to your self-control! I won't be providing pre or post quote context from the show - only from my own life. This week I have been focusing A LOT on listening to what the universe is trying to tell me and being very intentional about looking for the signs. This quote—"Every choice is a chance"—feels very aligned with that. If we see our choices as opportunities to change our situation or start something new or be our best selves, then maybe, just maybe, change won't be so scary. I have also been watching the Netfilx series - Emily in Paris - and have quite a few thoughts on that as well. Spoiler Alert - I LOVE IT! After you listen to this weeks episode, I would love to hear from you. Let's continue the conversation and share our stories over on Instagram @taylorstreetdesigns - or you can send me a message through my website at www.TheNextTwentyThree.com I hope you make a choice to take a chance this week. Love you guys!