Love your work, as always! I came across this little gem this morning and am sharing:
"Let go of what is no longer working. Fall toward what wants to come next. Trust that you are built to catch the branches — or, if not, to survive the drop." -- Martha Beck
I loved reading this. I’m one of those mid-aughts bloggers, and now I’m here stumbling through these early empty nesting years. In some ways it feels similar to those early years: a whole new set of life circumstances. My second kid is about to graduate from college and only now am I beginning to wrap my mind around this next phase. It took me a while and is an ongoing inquiry. Surely the pandemic has added to the complication. Whatever the case, glad to be a fellow traveler.
So uncharted! We're like the Magellans of midlife. Or maybe it just feels that way? Clearly, a gabillion people (parents, moms) have traveled this path. But maybe its uncertainty and lack of clear direction is what makes the potential so great? Indeed — much to ponder! And agree, so glad I'm not alone on the journey. So glad you're here. xo
Nope on The Last of Us. I’m glad I heard what happened before I watched the first 2 episodes. Now I don’t have to waste my time. Jon Hamms wife is 37 to his 54. That doesn’t seem so young to me. 🤷♀️
Wooow Amy - I've been following you for years but this one hit me hard. You brought me to tears. I know exactly how you feel right now. I'm right there too.
The urgency to figure out what I want and who I am has definitely become more palpable as I turn 60 later this year. I’m trying to let it sink in that I am, for all intents and purposes, no longer a mid-lifer (oof!).
I recently “joked” with close friends that I will be “young-old” in my 60s vs middle-old in my 70s and then just… you get the drift.
And yet, here I am … living day to day, appreciating the small joys and celebrating the big moments and not exactly sure that wasn’t the whole goal anyway?
Hi Venetia! Yes, palpable. I am just one year behind you and i can feel it (taste it, smell it), too. And LOL yes, I think I'm gonna need a rebrand because I've drifted past the middle of my life. xo
Oh yes, and I too was extremely upset by the recent episode of “The Last of Us”!!! Will it even be worth watching without Pedro Pascal??? Keeping my fingers crossed for flashbacks.
Oh, apparently there will be a bunch of them. I watched that YouTube clip I shared in the post and fell down a TLOU rabbit hole. Also: PEDRO!!! GAH, I love him. ;)
Your question really got me thinking. I feel like I’m between chapters right now, but I also think I kept a lot of myself while raising the kids. Does that make sense? Maybe. Lately, I’ve been constantly wondering when retirement will happen and where it will be.
One of the biggest things I’ve been focusing on is finding friends who are in the same life stage. I love people and reaching out is hard for me, but I’ve been pushing myself a little. Not enough, but a little.
I also loved Dying for Sex and the message in it! And I have definitely overthought a great idea until someone else took it. So frustrating. I don’t know how you do it, but every week you somehow pull pieces from my life and make them yours. Ha! We both know that’s not really what is happening, I just relate so much!
Hi Tara! YES! Finding our fellow travelers. And believe it or not, putting it all out here publicly is so much easier for me than to reach out to a single person. I'm so glad we've connected (let's keep making each other reach out). xo
Fear- I discovered a few years ago that fear of failing has held me back my entire life. Maybe it has to be from living with an overly critical (narcissistic mother), but it still stops me in my tracks. It’s funny I have no fear when advocating for my children but when it comes to me- I am blindsided.
You wrote what's been on my mind lately. Missed opportunities. Why didn't I get an MFA in my twenties or hike the AT after my sister died, and then write about my healing journey (Like Strayed in Wild). But let's only glance at the past, not stare at it longingly. :-) NOW is our time!
RIGHT?? I have a lot of that, too. I guess we just have to have faith that it's all unrolling the way it's supposed to. But, dang! I coulda been something! lol Thanks for reading and commenting, Liz!! xo
Hey sunshine! It's been a beat since I was able to read your blog. I am so glad I did. So relatable. I too have made major changes in the last 5 years. Whether they were right or wrong was less of the point and more about having the guts to do it and see the results. I am fuller for it. So thanks for sharing as always. PS I loved your use of the word Jabrony - it made me smile from ear to ear.
Love your work, as always! I came across this little gem this morning and am sharing:
"Let go of what is no longer working. Fall toward what wants to come next. Trust that you are built to catch the branches — or, if not, to survive the drop." -- Martha Beck
Oh, isn't that wonderful? Thank you for sharing (and reading). xo
In your boardwalk life advice photo—the “all you need” arrow is also pointing at your shadow. You got this.
DANG!! MAYBE THAT'S THE METAPHOR I WAS REALLY LOOKING FOR. xo
I thought the same thing!
Do you see why it's good to get different perspectives?? I never would have looked at that picture that way!!! Oh, you girls are on it! ;) xo
I loved reading this. I’m one of those mid-aughts bloggers, and now I’m here stumbling through these early empty nesting years. In some ways it feels similar to those early years: a whole new set of life circumstances. My second kid is about to graduate from college and only now am I beginning to wrap my mind around this next phase. It took me a while and is an ongoing inquiry. Surely the pandemic has added to the complication. Whatever the case, glad to be a fellow traveler.
So uncharted! We're like the Magellans of midlife. Or maybe it just feels that way? Clearly, a gabillion people (parents, moms) have traveled this path. But maybe its uncertainty and lack of clear direction is what makes the potential so great? Indeed — much to ponder! And agree, so glad I'm not alone on the journey. So glad you're here. xo
I think your next great idea is going to be a huge hit. I can’t wait!
Nope on The Last of Us. I’m glad I heard what happened before I watched the first 2 episodes. Now I don’t have to waste my time. Jon Hamms wife is 37 to his 54. That doesn’t seem so young to me. 🤷♀️
Wooow Amy - I've been following you for years but this one hit me hard. You brought me to tears. I know exactly how you feel right now. I'm right there too.
GAHHHHH HI KRISTIN!! I am so glad to see you hear but sorry to make you teary. Glad to know I'm not alone. WE'VE GOT THIS. xo
The fish doorbell could become a problem for me. Great post…there’s work to be done (both in this stage of life and creatively!)
LOL it's soothing, isn't it? Maybe healthier than TikTok? TBD ;)xo
The urgency to figure out what I want and who I am has definitely become more palpable as I turn 60 later this year. I’m trying to let it sink in that I am, for all intents and purposes, no longer a mid-lifer (oof!).
I recently “joked” with close friends that I will be “young-old” in my 60s vs middle-old in my 70s and then just… you get the drift.
And yet, here I am … living day to day, appreciating the small joys and celebrating the big moments and not exactly sure that wasn’t the whole goal anyway?
Hi Venetia! Yes, palpable. I am just one year behind you and i can feel it (taste it, smell it), too. And LOL yes, I think I'm gonna need a rebrand because I've drifted past the middle of my life. xo
Oh yes, and I too was extremely upset by the recent episode of “The Last of Us”!!! Will it even be worth watching without Pedro Pascal??? Keeping my fingers crossed for flashbacks.
Oh, apparently there will be a bunch of them. I watched that YouTube clip I shared in the post and fell down a TLOU rabbit hole. Also: PEDRO!!! GAH, I love him. ;)
My leap has started. It’s big. I’ll be sharing soon. xo
GAH
I love the boardwalk photo!
Your question really got me thinking. I feel like I’m between chapters right now, but I also think I kept a lot of myself while raising the kids. Does that make sense? Maybe. Lately, I’ve been constantly wondering when retirement will happen and where it will be.
One of the biggest things I’ve been focusing on is finding friends who are in the same life stage. I love people and reaching out is hard for me, but I’ve been pushing myself a little. Not enough, but a little.
I also loved Dying for Sex and the message in it! And I have definitely overthought a great idea until someone else took it. So frustrating. I don’t know how you do it, but every week you somehow pull pieces from my life and make them yours. Ha! We both know that’s not really what is happening, I just relate so much!
Hi Tara! YES! Finding our fellow travelers. And believe it or not, putting it all out here publicly is so much easier for me than to reach out to a single person. I'm so glad we've connected (let's keep making each other reach out). xo
Fear- I discovered a few years ago that fear of failing has held me back my entire life. Maybe it has to be from living with an overly critical (narcissistic mother), but it still stops me in my tracks. It’s funny I have no fear when advocating for my children but when it comes to me- I am blindsided.
That is one powerful observation and probably one that a lot of us can relate to. Thanks for sharing. xo
You wrote what's been on my mind lately. Missed opportunities. Why didn't I get an MFA in my twenties or hike the AT after my sister died, and then write about my healing journey (Like Strayed in Wild). But let's only glance at the past, not stare at it longingly. :-) NOW is our time!
RIGHT?? I have a lot of that, too. I guess we just have to have faith that it's all unrolling the way it's supposed to. But, dang! I coulda been something! lol Thanks for reading and commenting, Liz!! xo
Hey sunshine! It's been a beat since I was able to read your blog. I am so glad I did. So relatable. I too have made major changes in the last 5 years. Whether they were right or wrong was less of the point and more about having the guts to do it and see the results. I am fuller for it. So thanks for sharing as always. PS I loved your use of the word Jabrony - it made me smile from ear to ear.
The fish doorbell could become a problem for me. Great post…there’s work to be done (both in this stage of life and creatively!)