How To Trust Your Intuition And Inspire Others No Matter Your Age…
When I was a little girl, I often walked the streets of Pittsburgh with my mother. She had a way of tuning into what I can only call Divine Intelligence. She’d glance at a passerby, smile, and say something like, “Oh, he’s a handsome fella,” then quickly add, “But not good energy.” My mother didn’t sit in lotus pose or speak in mystical language—her intuition simply was, her. She dialogued with loved ones who had passed and often reminded me, “Just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
As a devout Catholic, though, she never felt safe celebrating these gifts openly. Over time, her intuition seemed to fade, as if hidden behind the walls of daily life. I sometimes wonder: What if she had built that intuitive muscle instead of setting it aside?
As a child I didn’t fully understand the gift she was showing me. But the seed she planted never left. Now, in my sixties, I recognize her intuition as a Divine compass—the very same compass that beats quietly within me. Through storms, detours, and decades of unlearning, I’ve made my way back to it.
And that’s why Vi’s story, of all stories, sits so close to my heart.
Your gifts don’t have an expiration date. Whether your sketches gather dust for decades or your intuition lies dormant because you were told to ignore it, the truth of who you are always remains
The Inspiration of Vi’s Story
Vi is 103 years old. As a teenager she sketched fashion designs in quiet corners, pages filled with elegance and imagination. She tucked them away, uncelebrated, as life and expectations pressed her toward marriage and family. For almost a century, those sketches slept.
Recently, they were discovered and went viral —and the world is falling in love with them. Strangers are marveling at her work, celebrating her creative spark. Vi herself seems stunned, asking why her sketches resonate now. The truth is simple: she didn’t wait for applause; she created because it mattered to her.
Her story is more than fashion. It’s about the timelessness of truth. Her gifts, and yours, never expired. They simply awaited the right season to bloom—the season of Divine timing. It’s been quite the season for Vi.
A small mantra, if you’d like to carry this message with you:
With every step, I honor my gifts. I embrace my journey. It’s never too late to share my soul’s light.
Trust Your Intuition It’s The Mindset Shift
There’s a deep reminder here: your gifts don’t come with a deadline. Self-doubt, excuses, or the weight of aging paradigms may whisper, It’s too late. But Vi shows us otherwise. The truth of who you are cannot be erased—it patiently waits to be remembered.
That’s the heart of Spiritual Personality Typing℠. Each of us enters this life with a set of gifts, woven into the soul. They may not be meant for center stage, but they are always meant for impact—sometimes a visible ripple, sometimes an unseen one. Instead of asking, Is it worthy? we might ask instead, Is it true?
The crowd’s approval was never the point. Evolving your soul, honoring your originality, trusting the divine imprint within you—that’s the point.
No Matter Your Age
Like Vi, there were seasons when I tucked parts of myself away. My intuitive gifts were quiet while I tended to roles—daughter, mother, entrepreneur. But every so often, I’d feel my mother’s voice echo inside me: “Cross the street even if no one else thinks you should.”
That, I believe, is the essence of authentic aging:
To listen when your soul whispers.
To walk the way of truth, even if it looks impractical.
To choose inner alignment over outward applause.
It’s never too late. Never too late to start. Never too late to remember what your soul has carried all along.
Instead of asking, ‘Is this worthy?’ ask yourself, ‘Is this true?’ Your role isn’t to please the crowd—it’s to evolve your soul, to honor your originality, and to trust the Divine imprint within you.
A Companion on Your Journey
From my own journey grew something deeply personal—Spiritual Personality Typing. But this isn’t a “program” or a set of rules. It’s a way of listening to your soul’s unique voice and aligning your life with your true self. It’s born from lived experience, not theory—a mirror reflecting your sacred uniqueness.
If your soul is whispering for more, my book Unpack Your Personality and one-on-one sessions are gentle ways to explore who you truly are beneath the noise. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to walk beside you.
Your gifts don’t have an expiration date. Whether your sketches gather dust for decades or your intuition lies dormant because you were told to ignore it, the truth of who you are always remains
Share the Message
I hope this story plants a seed of courage—to see yourself freshly and remember your timeless gifts. Share this with a friend, sister, or coworker who might need the reminder that your true self is waiting.
Reflective Journal Prompt
A gentle way to go deeper is through journaling. Try reflecting on questions like:
Is this choice aligned with my true passion, or is it just a distraction?
What old belief has kept me from honoring my gifts?
What small step can I take today to share a piece of my truth with the world?
Think, too, about your “slumbering gifts”—talents, passions, or ideas set aside. How might you bring them back, even in simple, daily ways?
Dive Deeper Into the Journey
If this story speaks to even a small part of you, you’re invited to explore more of my journey and approach through these heartfelt conversations and resources:
Listen to my interview on Reinvention Rebels podcast:
🎧 Reinvention at 66: Nina Zapala’s JourneyExplore more inspiration through videos:
YouTube Channel HighlightsRead reflections on trusting intuition and authentic style:
How To Trust Your Intuition And Inspire Others No Matter Your Age
What’s Your Authentic Fashion StyleAnd when you’re ready, my debut book Unpack Your Personality offers a gentle yet profound roadmap to your true self:
Get Unpack Your Personality here
Trusted by Those Who’ve Walked the Path
“Working with Nina helped me remove the blind spots that were holding me back,” says Judith Wilms, TEDx speaker and author. Her bespoke clarity session was the nudge she needed to stop merely living life and start creating the life of her dreams. If that resonates, a clarity session may just be what you need too.
About Spiritual Personality Typing
Spiritual Personality Typing℠ shifts perspectives beyond traditional MBTI® stereotypes. Your personality type is sacred; your persona is only a mask. I invite you to see your archetype as a sacred tool—an expression of your true self.
This isn’t just a practice, it’s a lifestyle that requires daily commitment: aligning your rational mind with your soul awakens a life filled with meaning and authenticity. The freedom to live intentionally, passionately and unapologetically.
Who Is Nina Zapala?
I developed Spiritual Personality Typing during what I call my “midlife tsunami”—a transformative season that stripped away illusions and revealed profound truths. Traditional typologies only told part of the story, so I created a new paradigm that unites soul and self.
This isn’t about anti-aging—it’s about authentic aging: showing up as your truest self, unapologetically and wildly free, leaving a sacred legacy only you can bring. Every wrinkle tells a story, every silver strand carries wisdom, and every scar maps your unique journey. When we deny our true selves, the soul withers; when we embrace her, we bloom into timelessness. Your new beginning awaits!
Photo Courtesy of Marylinda Breeckner; Violet Breeckner
