Mid-life Transitions: Celebrations & Learnings

For me, the past five years have been transformational in every way. In fact, it’s been the most profound time of my life so far.

I had a cross country move.

I entered my 50’s.

I took a lot of walks.

I survived COVID two times.

I had my first major surgery.

I had a few career opportunities that truly changed me.

I made new friends and reconnected with old friends.

I learned new things and cultivated new skills.

I saw a lot of concerts.

I became a MUCH better skier.

I’ve become more intensional about my yoga & breathe work practices.

I consistently met with a therapist.

I worked with a Shaman.

I participated in Sacred Ceremonies.

I attended retreats.

I reconnected with my faith.

I prioritized myself.

I’m learning when to keep my mouth shut.

I released relationships that don’t serve me anymore… and I had a few people release me.

I learned how to use my voice more effectively in tough situations.

I learned when to walk away.

I’m learning to trust myself more than I ever have.

I’ve become perfectly comfortable being thought of as, “too sensitive” or “emotional”, as I have learned these qualities are my super powers.

I learning to be ok with saying, “I don’t know”.

I read A LOT of books.

I’ve learned how important boundaries are.

I binged on Hulu and Netflix. (something I never did before)

I lost 15 pounds and gained 15 pounds.

I’ve had some traumatic hair situations… (it’s so hard to find someone in a new state) lots of trial and error… but, thanks to the daughter of my extraordinary hair dresser in DC, I’m good now.

I learned how to say “no”.

I poshmark’d half of my closet because as I’ve changed, my style has changed. ( everything is much more comfortable now.)

After a lifetime of living in cities…I moved to the mountains with my husband and became a land steward.

I got a dog.

I started riding horses again.

I took several writing classes.

I showed up in big ways for the people I care about.

I went through menopause. (horrifying and now blissfully over)

I stopped tolerating bad behavior.

I became certified to do Reiki.

I visited hot springs.

I fell asleep in the forest.

I talked to birds.

I became fascinated with lichen.

I saw a mountain lion, an elk and lots of other animals- up close and personal.

I did several overnight road trips… solo.

I learned how to do fire mitigation & drive a big pick up truck.

I learned how to fill up a 500 gallon cistern.

I built & grew a garden.

I got sunburned.

I helped start a thriving book club.

I marched in a protest.

I changed my mind.

I learned how to get quiet, experience solitude & deeply connect with nature.

I became a Democrat.

I realized that I am, in fact, a feminist and I feel scared about how my country diminishes women and girls.

I’ve become deeply concerned about our planet and have made several changes in how I do things so that I’m more thoughtful about sustainability and regeneration.

I began to forgive my mother.

I cried a lot.

I laughed a lot.

I made some amends.

I’m learning how to be kinder to myself.

I have fallen, even more deeply, in love with my husband.

I finished the first draft of my book– then, realized that I needed to honestly tell the whole story to myself before I put it all in a book… so, I recently started all over with an entirely new perspective and format.

I’ve learned that celebrating the growth (painful, hard, beautiful and exciting) along the journey is SO important. In this wild (and sometimes scary) amazing world we live in- I think it is also important that we always cheer each other on. Sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly. But, together. In community.

I’ve learned there is so much that I don’t yet know…