You are never prepared for the complex emotions and sadness you feel when selling your family home. Just when I think that I have reached the stage of acceptance, something happens and triggers a feeling of loss. Recently it was my son home from university who packed up his old room. He stored up his […] The post Selling Your Family Home: Navigating Complex Emotions appeared first on BLOGGING MIDLIFE ..read more

My husband and I have been considering downsizing for over two years. I was not prepared to be hit with an overwhelming feeling of loss. What I’ve learned is that the loss is not truly connected to the walls of our home. No. Instead, I am mourning the need to say goodbye to a chapter […] The post Downsizing and a Feeling of Loss appeared first on BLOGGING MIDLIFE ..read more

As a parent, you often find yourself in many routines; the nightly ritual of tucking your kids in, followed by the morning dance of wake-up calls. For years, I woke my son up for school, navigating the delicate balance of encouraging him to rise while also managing the frantic pace of our mornings. OK, who […] The post Fostering Independence: How Stopping the Wake-Up Calls Transformed Our Mornings appeared first on BLOGGING MIDLIFE ..read more

Type the phrase “depression in midlife” in an internet search bar and you’ll find numerous scholarly articles. These articles describe depressive disorders, midlife changes and eventually lead you to numerous help disclaimers and support options. What they don’t tell you is how damn common it is. I often struggle myself. Undiagnosed How many of us are undiagnosed? I have friends who have been clinically depressed their entire lives and are seeking treatment. Those experiencing midlife depression have not sought help. I wonder how many people dismiss their own depression. Women are more likely ..read more

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a transformative force that’s reshaping various aspects of our lives. For people in midlife, learning about AI isn’t just an option; it’s becoming increasingly essential. Let’s explore why embracing AI can be particularly beneficial for those in midlife, the tools they might already be using, and the long-term benefits of staying updated with this technology. What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a type of technology that allows computers and machines to perform tasks that usual ..read more

When one son went off to college, it positively impacted my relationship with his brother, my youngest child. Moms often don’t realize how much their attention is dispersed within the family. When I found myself home alone with my youngest son, we both went through a transition period. Initially, too much of the spotlight was on him and his academics, causing him to feel anxious and unused to being the sole focus of my parenting. . However, it didn’t take long for us to fall into a normal rhythm and for me to realize that maybe, just maybe, he had been getting the short end of the stick for wa ..read more

Reconnecting with old friends holds immense significance for me, especially in midlife. As we reflect on the timeline of our lives, including the friendships we’ve cherished, it becomes clear that we must make deliberate choices about who we invest our time in as we age. Have you ever had a long-overdue lunch with someone, only to exclaim, “We should have done this sooner”? That’s precisely how I feel in my fifties today, though I’m not surprised that we lost touch. Life happened—we had bills to pay, careers to nurture, and children to raise. There were marriages to navigate, divorces to endur ..read more

When we travel overseas I become “that American person,” in a sea of different languages and cultures.  Are you a stranger? Sure I’ll take a picture of you and your family in front of the Louvre! Random conversations are my thing. Once, I helped a silent monk find a way to his airline gate. Do you know how? By finding other American passengers who were going in the same direction. Say what you want about us, but Americans are some of the most outgoing and friendly people on the planet. On one particular visit to Wegmans, my visiting Swedish mother-in-law asked if I knew the woman at ..read more

This week was a tough parenting week.  Worst week ever!  My motherhood crown flew off my head.  I handed in my trophy and went into a corner to wallow in cluelessness and self-pity.  Teaching my sons to be kind is something I’m proud of, but forgetting to also teach them not to do so at their own expense, was a big mistake. My weakest personality trait reared its ugly head. The people pleaser in me served a nice big cup of wake the hell up coffee.  This is not a lesson to teach your kids, but here I was, guiding them in the wrong direction. What is a People Pleaser? Be ..read more

To My Child Here is some advice on love, don’t simply follow your heart. Your head needs to be involved as well. Let me begin by saying that I am so proud of you.  You are incredibly strong, kind and ambitious.  Everyone who meets you is affected by your lively spirit, your infectious smile and your empathy for others. Throughout the years you have come to me for help with your homework, advice on friends, and on decisions that were big and small.  Sometimes you took my advice and sometimes you did not. However, I want you to know that you are so valuable. Advice on Love Ho ..read more