When the Universe Pushes You (Whether You’re Ready or Not)

Hello Beautiful Soul,

I spent the better part of the week lying on my couch fighting a nasty sinus infection. Instead of talking to you about Kleenex vs toilet paper to blow your nose with, I completely made up what could have happened!

Enjoy this little made up story!

Have you ever noticed how the universe has a way of pushing you exactly when you need it—even when you’re desperately clinging to your comfort zone with white knuckles?

Last week, I had what I’m now calling my “Mercury Retrograde Meltdown Miracle.”

(even though it wasn't even a Mercury Retrograde!)

Picture this:

I was scheduled to give my first-ever virtual workshop on business astrology. I had prepared for weeks, rehearsed my presentation until I could recite it in my sleep. (You should know that I have a silly fear of being on live video...)

Then, 10 minutes before showtime, my internet decided it was the perfect moment for a vacation.

Not a flicker, not a bar, completely GONE.

I panicked. I may have screamed into a pillow. I definitely sent a few frantic texts to the universe asking “WHY NOW?!”

With minutes ticking away, I grabbed my laptop, jumped in my car (still in my professional top and pajama bottoms), and drove to the local coffee shop like a woman possessed. The barista’s eyes widened as I burst through the door, breathlessly begging for their WiFi password.

Setting up in a corner booth, surrounded by curious onlookers, I launched my workshop exactly two minutes late—disheveled, slightly sweaty, and completely outside my carefully constructed comfort zone.

And you know what? It was the best presentation I’ve ever given.

Without my notes, without my carefully arranged desk setup, I was forced to speak from the heart. I told stories I hadn’t planned on sharing. I laughed at myself. I connected with my audience in a way I never would have if everything had gone “perfectly.”

One participant later emailed: “I signed up to learn about business astrology, but what I really needed was to see a real woman handling chaos with grace and humor. Thank you for showing me what’s possible when plans fall apart.”

Here’s what I learned: Your comfort zone is a lovely place to visit, but real magic happens in the messy, unplanned moments that force you to trust yourself.

So I’m wondering—what comfort zone is the universe trying to nudge (or push) you out of right now? What “disaster” might actually be your doorway to something better than you planned?

PSST! The next part of this email is NOT made up.

​Join Our Community of Kick Ass Mystics!​

Speaking of stepping outside comfort zones—my friend Terrie Huberman and I have created a space for you.

​Kick Ass Mystics is our FREE Facebook Group where you’ll find: - Weekly inspiration, some impromptu tarot readings, astrology insight, and other cool, fun stuff. We are experimenting with this group so if there's anything you'd like to see in there, just let us know!

We’d love to have your energy in our group.

​[Click here to join Kick Ass Mystics today!] ​

Until next week, remember that the universe rarely sends us comfortable opportunities for growth—but it always sends exactly what we need.

Trust the process,

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Tara "making up stories" Schafer

A.K.A. The ODD Witch

P.S. What’s your most memorable “comfort zone catastrophe” that turned into a blessing? Reply to this email and let me know—I read and respond to every message!

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