The Midstack Directory

Jessica Smock — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:27:50 GMT

Welcome to the Midstack Directory, a library of Substacks from midlife women. This Directory is a part of , a new Substack membership community for midlife women writing Substack publications, from the editors of the bestselling Substack .

If you’d like your publication to be included in our Midstack Directory or to learn more about the criteria for inclusion, submit here:

Submit Your Substack

Coming soon: In future editions of the Directory, we hope to organize Substacks according to category(ies).

How To Use This Directory and Find Your People:

Browse: Read through these publications — all from midlife women — and find the ones whose voices, topics, and perspectives resonate with you.
Subscribe: Become a subscriber — free or paid — to the ones that most interest you.
Recommend: Are you a Substack writer? Use Substack’s Recommendations feature to share the publications that you most love with your own audience.
Comment: Become an active member of these publications’ communities by interacting with their posts.
Mention the Publication in a Note: Give a shout-out to your favorite publications in a Note by highlighting their posts, quotes, or your own perspective on their writing.

*Note: These publications do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of Midstack and Midstory Magazine. If you have health concerns, related to midlife, menopause or anything else, please make sure to see your physician or another medical professional in person.

by Amy Gabrielle: “Multifaceted midlife woman and widowed mom. Exploring the intersection of sexuality and grief as a catalyst for growth after catastrophic loss. Follow along as I reinvent my life.”

by Ilene Smith: From a former journalist turned public relations professional who has rediscovered her passion for writing.

by Trish Sammer: “Considers whether we should find our Zen or storm the castle, or maybe both? Ugh, multi-tasking is the worst. As the self-proclaimed voice of the Gen X generation, professional writer Trish has no plans to update her newsletter with any regularity because what’s the f*cking point?”

by Beverley Ward: “My experience of recovery following a long period of grief, loss, stress, trauma and burnout. Also about healing, living more gently, post-traumatic growth, love, nature, and recovery.”

by : “Focuses on women aging solo with missives on the big health topics like osteoporosis, how exercise boosts the brain, how a pet can rescue you from the depths of social isolation, and how we childless cat ladies can fight back, to the quotidian lifestyle issues they face including who will stop their smoke detector screeching like a demented rabbit at 3 a.m. and how we all have to, ultimately, give up heels.”

by : “Reconsidering everything. Telling the story of learning I was Jewish after my dad hid it. Talking about parenting/marriage. Talking about my time on The Adam Carolla Show (spilling the beans one by one).”

by Kristi Koeter: Challenging diet culture’s grip on women with an unflinching yet empowering approach to body positivity and midlife health.

Suggested Read: “Unraveling the Mystery of Midlife Brain Fog in Women”

by Danna Schmidt: Thoughtful and/or inane and irreverent musings, weekly soulful poetry, provocative prose, and a basket load of life-altering + altaring practices & rituals designed to help you navigate human’ing in new ways.

by : “I am a writer in my mid 50s based in Brooklyn, New York who is most often associated with lifestyle editorial and cocktail books (my most recent is SIGNATURE COCKTAILS). For my Substack, I write about those topics, but also venture a bit outside the splash zone.”

: A publication about reinvention and the moment you know something has to change—in your job, your relationships, or yourself—start here.

: Blending storytelling, photography, and connections with a journalist’s eye and creative energy, sharing reflections, interviews, and insights that celebrate resilience and creativity.

‘s Substack: Amy Gabrielle is a widowed mother exploring the intersection of sexuality and grief as a catalyst for growth after catastrophic loss. She explores her own post traumatic growth, breaking barriers and stereotypes with photographic self portraits and videos. She provides her audience with a provocative look at the expression of midlife sexuality that is rarely found in today’s popular culture and social media.

: From a self-help author, wellness coach, and founder of C. Daley Wellness. With a passion for empowering individuals, she explores themes of personal growth, mental health, and spirituality through her writing and coaching.

by Sam Galloway: A publication by a late-diagnosed neurodivergent, tenacious midlife struggler and self-proclaimed self-advocate.

by : “My Substack is both blog and newsletter covering all topics to help women live more Awake, Well, and Empowered or what I call the AWEd Life. I also provide exclusive content to paid subscribers of behind-the-scenes of my podcast as well as a place to chat to keep the podcast conversation going.”

by Mel Parks: “My writing comes from a midlife perspective which values the present but often looks back while having one eye firmly on the future. I am developing a Substack project called: My Book Writing Adventure which builds on my Arts Council funded project last year: Moonpause.”

by Suki Wessling: Primarily a podcast featuring women who have something to say about modern life—we call it "taking translators to the Tower of Babble.” — the Babblery Substack features the podcast plus related writings by producer Suki Wessling.

by : “I am a writer and academic, and my research focuses on the intersection of bodily autonomy and maternal ambivalence. I have a PhD in English/Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. I'm from D.C., but live in the UK.”

by : “I'm a City girl, mid-life writer, editor, and trailrunner who will never ride a horse or eat meat. I'm a Manhattan-born city dweller who is not a cowgirl but here for the fashion. My Substack is about rthe challenges of long-distance mid-life romance, and the reality of a city girl who will likely never ‘go country,’ in the words of Alan Jackson.”

by Emily Mohn-Slate: “About how to use writing and mindfulness to stop and live more fully where you are. This Substack is grounded in personal essays, interviews, prompts, and meet-ups that help people slow down and create. My writing explores motherhood, feminism, middle age, attention, engaged Buddhist and Christian contemplative practices, and the in-between spaces that are awkward, often beautiful, and teach us a lot.”

by Rebecca Ferguson: “For women aged 35-55+ who are craving an expansive vision for their sex lives. It features stories from the journey of Rebecca Ferguson, who went from a sexless marriage to a multi-orgasmic wonderland, in which she achieved 3000+ orgasms in one year.”

: “Life in the countryside comes with its quirks, but I’m determined to live fully—finding joy and meaning while asking one big question: Can knowing the countryside, its history, and its people help us respect both place and each other at a deeper level?" From , a eco horticulturist and organic gardener, writer, filmmaker and broadcaster.

: Katie Mitchell is an English teacher who lives in suburban Atlanta with her two children. Her essays have previously appeared in Braided Way Magazine, HerStry, Literary Mama, and Appalachian Review, among others.

by : About perimenopause and menopausal women’s issues, science, medical issues in midlife.

by Lindsey DeLoach Jones: A little place on the internet for messy humans.

by Bridget Young: “A unique and humbling perspective on life, punishment, karma, taxes, parenting, God, America, grief, mental health, and gratitude.”

by Renee Mackey-Burson: “I’m the gal who will ask you for some of your sourdough starter or ogle over your root cellar (#goals). I’m actually a homesteader wanna be who is working hard to eat and grow seasonal foods, preserve as much as I can and live simply. I just moved into a 120 year old farmhouse that I’m renovating with my husband. I'm also a midlife woman trying to find my place now that my kids are moving on.”

by Katherine Libonate: From a mom of (3) teenage boys (17, 14, & 12) living out her mission to share research, knowledge, and insights to living a happier and fulfilled life especially during challenging times. I have a background in the Science of Happiness, Positive Psychology and Neuroscience.

: “We’re on a mission to make publishing clear and kind. As authors with Big Five houses, co-hosts of the popular BOOKBOUND podcast, and publishing experts who have helped hundreds of women write and sell their nonfiction books, we STILL struggle every day with the daily grind as writers and authors! In other words, we get it. And we see you.”

: From a creative business strategist for female founders and mission led organizations. Speaker/Facilitator. Writer. Mom. Nature obsessed. Meaning-chaser. Morning lover. Community builder. GenXer. Recovering journalist. Equity Leader.

by Ingrid Wagner Walsh: A platform for those intimate conversations with a wider audience of deep thinkers, from a writer, cultural anthropologist, and constant questioner,

by Burgin Streetman: “This is the diary of my senior year as a 50-year-old undergrad, slouching towards graduation. Posts on Tuesday and Friday. #Classof2025”

by Judy Gruen: Essays about life through a Jewish lens, including holidays, marriage, motherhood, grandmotherhood, humorous takes on life's ironies, occasional mini book reviews and writing tips.

by Lisa-Marie Cabrelli: A weekly Journal Prompt to get you unstuck. Is your life as stagnant as a puddle of mosquitoes? Find your direction, regain your motivation, and live your extraordinary life. It's your midlife Call to Adventure. Write your story. Change your life.

by Andrea Hoffman: “A community of women who understand exactly what you’re going through. From the brain fog to the itchy ears, from the barking cough to the chin hairs, from raising teens to caring for aging parents, we need each other. We need you. You need us.”

by Tineke Tammes: “A weekly newsletter in which I focus on ONE topic to help women stuck in their (corporate) careers to take the next step in THEIR career transformation towards fulfilling work and happy careers.”

by Victoria: The latest personal reflections, essays, and introductions to resources, experts, or other writers who provide fresh insights about caregiving or self-development.

by Cayse M. Shultz: “I write about the 2E experience from a chronically ill parent perspective through snarky essay or fantastical allegory. Snarky essays, AuDHD brain spirals, 2E-Mom-raising-2E-kids sincerity, plus fantasy novel sneak peeks and behind the scenes.”

by : “I began CeCe's Musings a few years ago in order to ponder the questions I have about this crazy, wild, scary, wonderful world we live in today. My topics often are about aging, books, relationships, my anxiety, letting go, and family, but you never know what might inspire me.”

by Jean Shields Fleming: “Unleashing women's power, one story, poem, essay, comic at a time. We amplify the wisdom of women in midlife and beyond, and understand that together, far from invisible, we are a force. Audacious ideas welcome!”

by Bekah Wright: “About, yes, how travel changes our lives, but also how venturing just beyond your front door does the same.”

by Elizabeth Kopple: Bringing together grieving parents as we find ways to channel our grief and move forward without moving past our children.

: “A companion to my podcast called Actual People. I'm 51 and female and a single mom of twin girls. I talk about my childhood in 80s Miami, my coming of age in 90s and dissect contemporary culture and the future of the creative industries.”

by Lisa Frame: A newsletter and community for women navigating the messy midlife mayhem.

by Mara Baer: “Focuses on the research and experience of chronic pain told through my lens as a 53 year old living with pain for 10 years and leveraging my health policy expertise and social work background.”

by : “This is your sanctuary – a curated community of leaders, writers, and creators where you can let your guard down, share your struggles, and celebrate your wins with like-minded peers. Here, we go beyond transactional connections and foster deep, meaningful relationships built on trust, vulnerability, and mutual support.”

by : “A space for mindful exploration and living with deliberate intentions. Through stories and lessons from my four decades as a daughter, friend, wife, mother, and woman, I share insights on deepening our connections—with ourselves, each other, and the world around us.”

by : Filled with reading recommendations and tips and tricks for living a literary life. Laura believes reading is the best form of creative inspiration and that talking about books could help reunite our divided society, cure the loneliness epidemic, and help woman in midlife find their next chapter.

by Elissa Devins: “As a 50 year-old Korean-American Jewish adopptee who is a part-time legal services attorney with a neurodiverse family, I explore my identities, share my art (drawings, Kdrama flip dolls) and write about Korean pop culture, aging, politics, art, Korean expressions, class conflict and so much more. I also do Q and As with Korean-American creators.”

by : “I write about the complex relationship between art and health, writing from lived experience of being a full-time writer for twenty years while also navigating debilitating depression as well as from my academic background and through frequent interviews with other creatives. I am a mid-forties cis woman and the Substack seems to attract primarily a similar audience. Although it's not specifically about midlife, the questions and issues that are addressed often appeal to the midlife woman.”

by Sandra Ebejer: “A place to find insights and advice on art, inspiration, and creativity. Each week I publish an interview with an artist, author, or other creative about their work, their influences, and how they break through challenges, and I also offer playlists, reading recommendations, and reflections on art and writing.”

by Elizabeth des Roches: “Where I share inspired ways to consciously craft a vibrant life particularly for women who've been around the "spiritual block" more than a few times. Through my blog & podcast, I offer them creative, entrepreneurial & energetic information and innovative practices to use as they weave their worlds.”

Curiouser by : From “Novelist living in France. Wife of one, mother of seven, and humble owner of one aging-but-agile corgi.”

by Lauren Greenwood: From a woman who became a working screenwriter in her late 30s

: Focuses on various issues including parenting, being a later-in-life mom and views from a different perspective, a Canadian-born child of Hong Kong immigrants who grew up in the suburbs.

by Shawna Gamache: “My own little internet mixtape of books, culture, feelings, 90s nostalgia/trauma, parenting, midlife angst, and what it means to me to be alive in this moment.”

by : Bestselling author and GenXer Elisa Lorello navigates midlife through her Duran Duran lens.

by Allison Deraney: Written by a sober-focused mom and lawyer who is waking up to life in mid-life, daring to speak up as a woman in recovery while writing her way back to herself. It's a publication that honors slowing down with intention so that we can discern what it is we truly desire.

: “In midlife, I started asking questions about my relationship with various institutions such as motherhood, career, and the church. My questioning led to me leaving various places and beliefs. My Substack is all about deinstitutionalising and deconditioning from all the things I had believed in for most of my life.”

by Tamara Foster: “A podcast and book club that aims to explore the stigmas that malign our gender. By delving into our life cycle and pulling back the curtain on themes that speak directly to stigmas, De-Stigma Dialogues hopes to create a true community of women living honestly and out LOUD.”

by Amy Halloran: “This year, I’m exploring the twinned histories of American bread, and the modern American woman, looking closely at my grandmothers and an author who also came of age in the first part of the 20th century. I’m trying to understand the lives of the women who baked me, and my own 57 years.”

by Nina Badzin: Honest conversations about the ups and downs of friendship, often with a midlife focus.

Suggested Read: “Our Friends’ Invisible Pain”

by Kimberly Nichols: “I write about food and its power to connect, gladden, and heal.”

: From , “I write about leaving. In midlife, I started asking questions about my relationship with various institutions such as motherhood, career, and the church. My questioning led to me leaving various places and beliefs. My Substack is all about deinstitutionalising and deconditioning from all the things I had believed in for most of my life.”

by Allison Hiltz: A weekly-ish newsletter about motherhood, midlife, and the social norms that shape our experiences. Drawing on my personal experiences, observations, and policy expertise, I’ll cover topics that include: Career shifts, Single motherhood, Mental load, Divorce, Perimenopause, Reclaiming yourself, Public policy (paid leave, childcare, etc.), Social supports (or lack thereof) and….Whatever else is on my mind!

by Sasha Neal: A fledgling Substack exploring daughterhood in midlife, including caregiving in the sandwich generation, the state of social care in the UK, dementia, loss, grief and dancing.

by Anna Sansom: “I write about pleasure, libido, reframing desire, and intimacy. Mostly personal essays and occasional erotic fiction.”

by Leslie Senevey: “I’ve made my living as a dancer, a designer and a writer. This is my mid-life moment of leaning into the writing part. Here I’ll share personal stories, insights and interests in a relatable, rip-off-the-vulnerability-Band-Aid and create-connection way.”

by Kelly Kearsley: A newsletter about internet things, book things, life things, and other things. As my kids say, it's not that deep. (But because I am in midlife, the deep things do surface now and again, sometimes prompting tears or laughter or both).

by Lisa Groen: A place you’ll find paintings and miscellanea about American Impressionist Mary Cassatt and her circle of artist friends, along with delicious bites from Paris during la Belle Époque, the Beautiful Age.

by Maggie Frank-Hsu: “According to research 27% of Americans are no-contact with at least one family member. "Estranged" is dedicated to stories and interviews that provide a deeper understanding of family estrangement beyond blame and shame.”

by Allison Barrett Carter: “The space where I share intimate essays, thoughts, and tips about living an intentional family life. It is unique content about something parenting-related that struck me, with some website round-ups. I post once a month.”

by Felicia Sabartinelli: A bi-weekly newsletter that chronicles life in my 40s’ and the new decade ahead. With ferocious passion, humor, and humility, I share personal essays and musings, book recommendations, interviews, and much more!

by : ‘I share with subscribers what I’ve learned (and continue to learn ) that makes this one of the happiest, most fulfilling, and most creative time of my life. I also share stories of people “in their prime” who live great stories that can inspire us all.’

: “I write about my own journey to thrive - which covers loss, grief, self-compassion, self-limiting narratives and beliefs, and celebrating my moments of joy.”

by : “My writing embraces the rich tapestry of human experience, explores the beauty of diversity, and celebrates authentic voices and the stories that connect us. I believe in finding joy in the whirlwind of existence and uncovering the common threads that unite different cultures.”

by : A journey of self discovery where life’s little moments turn big. A humorous look at a situation that will leave you thinking and looking a little differently.

by Laura: “Primarily about my infertility journey, about trying to conceive a second child and how having recurrent miscarriages has affected me. Most of my pieces are about the conflicted feelings of trying to conceive while also dealing with the trauma of knowing that pregnancy does not guarantee I will have the second child I want so badly.”

by Sanna Salanimi: From “an adult whose paradigm was properly rocked when a therapist suggested I had autism. A second opinion confirmed this. My story is not unique for women my age: we are the Lost Generation. We are women whose pro-social attitude (adopted by force or by choice) aided in our masking our life-altering disability for decades. Now, in middle age, I’ve finally arrived. One of my special interests is sex. I write about sex and love and how this autistic woman experiences it.”

by Dawn Levitt: The intersection of hurt and healing, creating art from trauma of the past, looking forward to the best years of our lives yet to come.

by : Midlife is a time one’s identity shapeshifts to reveal what is essential and true. From the Middle features essays written about these very changes, and how one’s inner authority amplifies in the second half of life.

by Stephanie Weaver: “I do a curated themed stack featuring that week’s thoughts, then media (books, tv, film) that relates and a recipe.”

by : Award-winning author, historian and TED speaker writes about emotions and the stories we tell about them.

by Anne: About anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss, as well as love and life.

by Angela Amman: Stories of writing back to myself as my family shifts into the teen years and beyond. I share my perspective on reclaiming my sense of identity and how it affects the art I'm consuming and the art I'm attempting to create.

by Harriet Mason: “It is like the quiet corner in your local cafe where you take your coat off, sink into the chair, order a latte and say, ‘what the heck?’ Sometimes I write about the small everyday things that crop up as a fifty-something mother, wife, sister and friend. Other times it’s big stuff. My stories include grief, cancer, redundancy, relocation, shapeshifting families and working out what it means to truly feel at home, in my body, relationships and this landscape I live in.”

by Jessica Neighbor and Flesché Hesch: “We are middle-aged BFFs, boy moms, wives, recovering good-girls, entrepreneurs, and now podcasters. Each week we bring you a girlfriend chat on reclaiming our truth and power at this stage of life - midlife.”

by Victoria Navarra: “I write mostly about caregiving for my mother, middle age, writing, running, and whatever else occurs to me. These essays are intended to be like glosses (annotations in a book) to my life--short personal essays.”

by Jill Consor Beck: Helping readers to understand: They are not alone in their struggles. People can make the changes they want to make and have them stick without having to give up “the fun.” Help folks realize that they have more agency than they think they do with respect to making those changes so they can live their best lives

by MNarya Hornbacher: “Takes you out on the American road with a sharp-eyed, smart-mouthed solo traveler and New York Times bestselling author gone rogue. For readers who want to connect not just with the news of the world but with the world, who want to hear more sides of the story, who want to connect micro and macro, and who are well aware that we are all living both political and personal lives, Going Solo at the End of the World seeks to bring honesty, accuracy, and compassion as we careen toward whatever we’re going to become.”

by Leanne Rose Sowul: Explores character traits that form resilient humans and strong communities; how to be, raise and create good humans (for parents, teachers and writer/creators).

by Treena Orchard: Poetic explorations of life, relationships, live, and how we understand and think about our place in the world, from an anthropologist, author, and activist who explores sex, gender, health, and tech through a creative, feminist lens. Firmly Gen X!

by Eva Lydon: Musings and observations from a mid-forties mother of two. Trying to spread a bit of empathy, understanding, compassion, laughter and unity amongst other women and parents. Building a new business and writing a book

by : A newsletter to explore and share and celebrate (and commiserate and investigate and contemplate) both the process of becoming and the act of being an older woman. The word “hag” might be an insult these days, but it doesn’t get applied to the callow and inexperienced. Being a hag means you’ve put in the time and you’ve earned the experience. So come be a hag with me.

by : “I write about my life in Brooklyn as a southern transplant, mom, cyclist, etc. I have written about dealing with breast cancer and admiring Dolly Parton. I write about understanding the world in this body at this age and understanding how I got here.”

by Amelia Wilson: A weekly newsletter packed with genius ideas and advice for infusing more joy into each day—for people who know that real happiness is not found in a fancy job title or expensive jar of face cream. Each Friday dispatch is filled with practical happiness advice—from travel tips and how to create a beloved family tradition—to what to watch, read, and cook.

Suggested read: “Tales of a Midlife Failure”

by Camille Brightsmith: “A former wanna be rockstar whose songs have been in movies and tv shows, but mostly not the ones you’ve heard of. After raising twins and caring for aging parents and finishing a novel, I’ve started to share my stories here.”

by : “I write about the experience of a midlife woman (self)diagnosed (or curious) with ADHD, as well as ideas and suggestions for dealing with some of the challenges such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, procrastination, overthinking and overwhelm.”

by Jen Knox: “Storytelling is about exploring the nuances of life—the anguish within beauty and the wisdom within pain. When we hold our stories inside, they weigh us down. When we release them, we find not only our voice but perspective and a different way of engaging with the world.”

by Karen Langston: From “an internationally recognized Poop Queen, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Orthomolecular Practitioner, Live Cell Microscopist, Certified Somatic Intuitive Trainer, Certified Integrative Mind-Body Specialist, Certified Hypnotist, Speaker, Author, Program Creator, and RV Pilot, I blend a wealth of expertise with a passion for transformation. My mission is to empower women to reignite their energy, rediscover balance, and thrive unapologetically in the second act of life, shining their fascinating light brilliantly.”

by Jennifer Crow: “Through personal stories and thoughtful analysis, I encourage mid-life women to reflect on how societal expectation have impacted their identities and share tools for reclaiming their stories. I talk about everything from breaking taboos and confronting hidden forces to using writing as a way to heal. Recurring themes include gender roles, mental health, personal empowerment, and embracing growth.”

by Hilary Connors: “Honing the craft of writing as a form of my self examination while also sharing this journey with others who write for personal reasons. I want to be a part of a collective unfolding of common and uncommon experiences in midlife.”

by Catherine: An exploration in ‘give no f*#ks’ writing in midlife, while exploring faith, doubt, grief, and figuring out what one wants to be when one grows up.

by Sherisa de Groot: Serves as a personal documentation of what it means in these moments to be who we are.

by Lucy Handley: About being childfree/childless (when I always hoped/expected to have kids); having a midlife ‘bounce’ via clubbing and house/disco music; positive ageing.

by Sophie Cartledge: addresses the realities of perimenopause and late discovered neurodivergence. Sharing personal experiences, resources and research links.

by Jennie Russo: A collection of essays about being messy and hot, sweaty and chic and staying classy throughout.

by Ann Marie McQueen: Provides information and inspiration to people making their way through the perimenopause, menopause and midlife transition.

by Emily Taylor: “I write about life in South Carolina from a feminist perspective. Most of my concerns come from my identity as a middle aged mom.”

by Andra Watkins: From a New York Times bestselling author who spent her formative years in a Moral Majority-era Christian Nationalist church and school in rural South Carolina.

by Lucie Frost: “A weekly(ish) compilation about things I didn’t know but should have, or things you should know but might just not. With cursing galore, all the irreverence, and the occasional political riff of the "Ted Cruz makes me crazy" variety.”

by Sara Stansberry: From a storyteller at heart, a writer by craft, and a certified life coach by passion who addresses what so many feel: the slow burn of becoming disconnected from themselves.

: From , a health and science journalist, speaker, founder of Screen/Life Balance, and author of How to Break Up With Your Phone and The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again.

by : “I write about philosophy in everyday life: meaning in life, love as a moral practice, who we are, and how all of that intertwines. Philosophy is one of the ways people make sense and meaning out of everyday experience—even if you didn’t study it in school. I’m a philosopher because I can’t help it, and it turns out that a lot of people are too. I also write about the value of the liberal arts.”

: “I give women permission to get out of blame, shame, regret, fear of failure and needing to know the outcomes. My stories are personal, candid and often the column which is weekly reflects on a particular place we tend to hold back or doubt ourselves - either in grief, happiness, dreams, love or parenting. I am also a book coach and writer so I write about writing!”

by Jeannie Ewing: “I write essays about reconstructing one's identity in midlife, building resilience after loss/illness/trauma, parenting in midlife, and grief.”

by : Stories of healing from years of intense mothering, supporting black, autistic, sons as they navigate adult life, caregiving, menopause, late dx ADHD, and holding 30 year marriage together w/string 🧵& paper clips📎

by : About making art in the margins, about memory, creative life, mindfulness, simplification, aging, gratitude, grief, and loss. Alongside essays, I share ongoing art and advocate the keeping of illustrated journals as a way to document life.

: “A long-form, serialized experiment; a craft exercise in sifting ideas from poetry to prose, and back again; and a story it has taken me 3+ years to reteach myself how to write. Written with love for everyone who has gotten sick and those who have always been sick.”

: From a a micro-essayist, poet, and teacher. Her debut collection, Linger: 21 Micro Essays on Love and Leave Taking, explores themes of love and loss.

: “A space for women in midlife to rekindle their creativity, vision their future, and bring big ideas to life—without burnout. Blending intuition, practical magic, and soulful strategy, I explore the creative process and how to stay true to yourself while making an impact.”

: Ink Tank is for copywriters, marketers and midlife women building their businesses. writes about copywriting psychology, midlife messaging plus smart stuff for writers.

by Karen T. Smith: “Every day I write a list of the three best things I experienced that day. Some days it’s laughably easy, some days it’s impossibly hard. But I have learned that every day I can find joy, and in the finding I’ve learned so much about living.”

by Celia Cain: a community and newsletter for sensitive people who want to deepen their intellect, develop their intuition, and enhance their creativity, from a mindset coach, healer, mentor & songcatcher. Celia is an ALS widow and the mom of 3 boys. A former academic and professor who experienced burnout, Celia now guides others on their healing journeys..

: “As a women’s health acupuncturist (Rebecca) and doula/motherhood practitioner (Theresa), we have decades of work between us supporting women through life transitions and pivotal moments. We have also crossed through early middle life and are beginning our chapters of late middle life. We have seen and experienced the gaps of information and the lack of preparation and conversation as women move into and through this often overlooked phase.”

by Rebecca Gale: “I write about the people and policies that shape parenting and care in this country - many of which are parents in midlife. I also investigate why we devalue care so much and how we can shift the narrative and policies that make being a parent in this country so much harder than it needs to be.”

by Sandhya Jain-Patel: “A snapshot into my thoughts on a variety of subjects, from various forms of media and culture to the mundane. I promise a unique perspective through my own intersectional lens — that of a first-generation Indo-American woman with zero f*cks left to give.”

by Christine Vaughan Davies: “I look for the sacred in the everyday and focus on spirituality, grief, resilience and care for others and ourselves. I share stories and practices from my work as a hospital chaplain and spiritual director.”

by Karen Geiger: “Encouraging everyone, from millennials to midlife, how to harness the power of story to shape your world. A story concierge, providing recipes for creativity and mindset.”

by Kasia Rachfall: “About how creativity helps with post traumatic growth, especially when we blend together energy healing, somatic practices, and expressive writing. Throw in there the discovery in my mid 40s that I have a neurodivergent brain and I'm more of a rebel now than I ever was as a teen or young adult.”

: A weekly Substack newsletter by that blends mindful and intuitive eating insights with practical strategies for cultivating a healthy relationship with food and body image. The '5-Senses Sunday' section adds a unique, sensory-based twist, inviting readers to explore their world through taste, smell, sound, touch, and sight, creating a deeper connection between their senses, food, and overall well-being.

: “The two separate sections of my Substack are: 1. A Suitable Vessel For Magic, which is a book in the making and a podcast about co-creating a double memoir with my late trans husband who died in 2020. 2. Writers Daily Dive is a daily writing group on Zoom where we write together in silence.”

by : “I believe that it is possible to live a beautiful, simple and slow life, but I understand that the modern world makes it increasingly difficult. If you want slow living content, with equal parts contented optimism and understanding realism, I’m your girl.”

: “Features sobriety-focused shorts, both directly and indirectly. My writing can read like flash fiction, touching on motherhood, trauma, step-mom’ing, divorce, grief, but moreover : recovery - recovery from alcoholism and so many other life patterns of that time.”

by Katrina: “Sunset years? Nope! Sunsets are for contemplation and Instagram. If we’re lucky, mid-life finds us all, and mid-life found me among the bikini thongs and Speedos bouncing across the seductive beaches of Southern California. Join me as I navigate the ups and downs of chasing the dream in LA LA Land at an age when most people eye retirement, and meet women over 50 who know this city inside and out, the entrepreneurs, artists, activists and changemakers who are the real City of Angels.”

by Keris Fox: “I interview women about money and share my own money misadventures.”

by : “Where I share about the joys (and occasional tragedies) of learning an instrument at an age where you’re expected to be settled-in and have life figured out (I’m not and I don’t). About data, because that's what I do professionally. About the intersection of these things, or their lack of intersection. About taking on the challenge of learning an instrument while juggling a full-time job, family and and life’s never-ending curveballs.”

by Lauren Fields: Journal entries from the perspective of a mid-life corporate dropout, recovering people pleaser, in a mid-life awakening.

: “My Substack is called Writer at Large and it's mostly about the craft of writing but it's also about my life as a writer. I'm also a daughter, sister, wife, stepmom, friend, aunt, and grandma so I write about those things too.”

’s More Than Words: “I cover lessons I’ve shared with and learned from my coaching clients, musings on life, relationships, mindfulness, and occasionally personal essays and stories.”

by Katie Delaney: “Aimed at midlife women who are trying to understand who on earth they really are. Following burnout, the loss of my parents, and now grappling with divorce, I explore elements of my identity now that I have been completely unstitched from my old life. There is also a fledgling podcast.”

: A newsletter about reading and writing from a New York Times best-selling author, co-founder of the Bob Woodward Foundation, journalist, and consultant.

by : Exploring the ways we build our families- especially those that are “alternative” - Let’s Start a Family focuses on transitioning after divorce, blending families, electing not to have kids, IVF, solo parenting, miscarriage, chosen family and so much more. The newsletter and correlated podcast honors that “family” is not a static concept but one thar evolves as we age, and becomes more nuanced in middle age. Authored by a midlife solo mama currently trying for another baby with her over 40 year old eggs.

by Catherine Murphy: “Embroidery specifically, textile, life and my Irish heritage in general” from an Irish-born sewer, designer, and maker.

by Nneka Kelly:

by Katia Colitti: “I write about grief, with a focus on cat loss grief. It is a type of disenfranchised grief (even less acknowledged by society than dog loss grief). I think it's important to talk about the grief and the love, and everything in between.”

: Explores “the physical objects, ideas, and systems-thinking I have been carrying around for decades, even a lifetime. I turn over one of these at a time and share with readers how I let it go (donation, dumpster, etc.) or hold onto it.

: Focuses on mindful communication and journaling to support abuse survivors. combines creative writing practices from her experiences in literary publishing; meditation lessons from her travels in South Asia; and strategies from her own healing journeys to help other survivors achieve forward momentum

by Ann Goltz: “I'm a midlife woman trying to figure out who I am, how I got here, and where I go from here. I use a narrative approach in my posts as I explore questions of identity and how to move forward while honoring the past.”

by Kim Van Bruggen: A publication meant to inspire, enquire, and pave the way for those of us making a major life transition, whether by choice or circumstance, no matter what age we find ourselves making it.

Suggested Read: “Spotlight on Older Women and Why We’re So Awesome”

A Life Unpacked by Kaarin Marx Smith: A bi-monthly newsletter for midlife women willing to share in the sometimes uncomfortable -- always authentic -- conversations about what it means to (meaningfully) travel through life at this stage.

by Keisha Kokonezi: “About my experience recovering from severe Long Covid, mental health, beauty, and grappling with everything that is a part of this new phase of life—including being in perimenopause.”

by Jen Gates: Personal essays, newsletter and journal style about waiting for the menopause, while confusing the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety and trying to manage it all.

by : “The life of Sarah, the first matriarch of the Hebrew Bible, receives only a handful of mentions in twelve chapters of Genesis. But the effects of her story have influenced our ideals of motherhood and faith, as well as women’s roles and reproductive rights. In The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined, I explain my connection to this complex and controversial story, share poems from my book-in-process, and discuss how we can find new life and meaning by re-considering Sarah’s experience.”

: “A newsletter about women and strength, written by a Wall Street journal reporter turned pro bodybuilder.”

: From Hong Konger-American writer, artist, avid student of life who writes about relational and intergenerational trauma, and how this intersects with her East-meets-West immigrant experience.

by : Personal and collective transformation through Nonviolent Communication, Quaker concepts and language, especially Irish which offers a very different way of seeing each other and the world.

by Lisa Cheek: “I came here as a quick way to connect to others. I’m going to share my favorite things and thoughts… if I ever have any. I promise they will be brief like my attention span.”

by : “About a journey both personal and universal: the way in which we navigate big changes in our lives, especially when they come later in life. In my case, the journey is about navigating gray divorce and dementia caregiving while fiercely holding onto my destiny: the belief that this is not where my story ends. I was 62 when I made the decision to leave my 33-year marriage and within a month of that decision, I suddenly became the full-time sole live-in caregiver for my mother with advancing dementia. Perhaps it is not where your story ends either and that is why you are here. I want this newsletter to become a place of belonging, where we share our stories of living in multiple dimensions.”

by Kari Bentley-Quinn: About the challenges of being diagnosed with ADHD in midlife, trying to navigate reality as a neurodivergent human, and life as a theater maker in New York City

by : “I'm a caregiver to an elderly parent with dementia just trying not to lose my mind as Mom loses hers, because murder/suicide, while appealing, is not a great option. These are our stories, and resources as I find them.”

by Lisa Renee: A place for midlife musing, a platform for essays and letters about one woman’s life experience, writing essays by a big lake in New York, trying to figure out how be a person in a mad world.

by Diane Shipley: About midlife, grief, chronic illness, pop culture and community (but funnier than that sounds).

by Amanda Montei: Essays on culture and books, plus a writing group for founding subscribers, from the author of TOUCHED OUT: Motherhood, Misogyny, Consent, & Control, available now from Beacon Press, as well as the memoir Two Memoirs (Jaded Ibis Press) and a collection of prose, The Failure Age (Bloof Books).

by Kristin Gourlay: “Delivers deeply reported, deeply personal, stories from medicine, art, culture, and history about our obsession. I aim to help us grapple with that ache we all have for the perfect cure.”

by Lane Anderson: A feminist newsletter about care work, family, and capitalism and how to make things better for everyone.

by Rose: About the journey of writing a memoir, and about how writing a memoir enriches not only the life of others, showing them what has gone on before, but it also enriches the writer in the process of doing it.

: Good mental health is an art based on the habit of catching and appreciating ordinary moments. writes about these ordinary moments in her creative practice of curating her mental health, based on her lived experience of a diagnosis, and as a life long journaller, teller of stories, and someone who enables the stories of others.

by Phoebe Assenza: Business, tech culture, and regular culture through the lens of a feminist in the middle of her life.

by : “The important stuff: I believe in love, learning, acceptance, and growing.”

: “I write about my personal growth, midlife career transition, undoing generational trauma, becoming an athlete in my 40s, sobriety, and my quest to become a published author. I reflect on my memoir (currently querying agents). I publish personal essays as well as more traditional blog-like entries.”

by Gretchen Anthony: A community dedicated to reading books about women in the prime of life, the heroines juggling careers, families, and all the joys and challenges of these juicy middle years.

by Shelly Mazzanoble: Your source for humorous, observational, and relatable takes on parenthood. If you can’t laugh you’ll… probably need to get that checked by a doctor.

by : From a published author and professor of English, a mother of two adult children, and a dementia care partner for my husband, Mike, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at 54.

by : “I'm a 57-year-old US-born journalist and author living and working in Paris. I am a single twice-divorced empty nester loving this phase of exploration. I write about Paris, French politics, dating, sex, feminism, and all things related to women refashioning the second half of their lives.”

by Andrea Case-Rogers: On a quest to reinvent myself to tread more lightly on the planet and contribute something positive to the world.

by Donna Perry: “I’m a middle aged woman starting over after 25 years of marriage. I write about divorce, dating, menopause, empty nesting, and parenting adult children with honesty and humor.”

by : A registered dietitian with an insatiable curiosity for understanding scientific concepts investigates the midlife stage in women.

: A media and lifestyle platform for women in their (roughly) 30s-50s. We publish thoughtful content that empowers women to reimagine this period as a time of growth, exploration, and possibility.

by Mariella Candela Amitai: Thoughts about living mindfully. Interested in the human experience. The highs, the lows and everything in the middle.

by Esther Newrick: “I am a ponderer, writer, textile and wallpaper designer bringing more colour to the world.”

by Dana Laquidara: From the author of THE UNCLUTTERED MOTHER: FREE UP YOUR SPACE, MIND & HEART.

: Grief advocate hoping to reduce stigma around substance use related death and other hard things.

by Brianne DeRosa: A new “Mass Observation Project” to help document the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of ordinary Americans during this unsettled era. We believe that everyone is a part of history at all times, and that history is made in the everyday, not just in the headline-grabbing moments.

by : “From a creative strategist and marketer who works with agencies and brands to help develop and deliver their story in creative and innovative ways. As a midlife "correspondent" I work with many companies and brands who serve and are trying to reach a middle-aged and senior audience.”

by : From a strength coach and critical thinker. I’m also a skeptic who likes to tell stories, pick things apart, and draw.

by Carrie Lynn Hawthorne:

by Kerala Taylor: Interrupts notions about what it means to be a mother, woman, worker, and wife. It's about deconstructing the truths we hold dear, unlearning everything we’ve taught, and finding a better way forward. Also, I hope, laughing a bit along the way.

by Claire Fitzsimmons: “For women navigating midlife with more questions than answers, More Good Days is your companion newsletter. I write for women who are tired of self-optimisation and curious about softer, kinder ways to feel better. Expect honest essays, research-backed insights, and weekly reminders that your wellbeing doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be yours.”

by : From an artist-educator-creator with work in McSweeney’s, Slackjaw, The Offing, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket, Frazzled & more. She was named a Jonathan Larson Grant Finalist for Visionaries in Musical Theatre & a Finalist for the Cultural Alliance Innovator Award. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild, AEA and is a Designated Linklater Teacher.

by Linda Anderson:

by Cindy DiTiberio: A feminist exploration of marriage, motherhood & divorce and how my own divorce at age 43 set me on the path to discovering my wants and needs for the first time in my life.

Suggested Read: “Is This The End of Marriage?”

by Heather Johnson Durocher: A newsletter and community about midlife, marriage and long partnership, parenting adult children, and how to keep moving forward — literally and figuratively — through it all.

by Courtney Naiboff: Musings from the middle: midlife body and mind observations from the author of Your Postpartum Body.

by Freya V. Locke: A magazine-style, weekly Substack for midlife women, focusing on home, family, vegan living, health, and running a solo business.

by : “Julie Stone writes Rom-Coms and women's fiction with older heroines, because there should be no expiration date on happily-ever-after. She also pens a weekly GenX substack-a comic bend on "back in my day" when everything was just a little better.”

by Diane Burley: “Life is messy and crazy. It’s also wonderful and the only one we have. An unabashed champion of fairness and female strength, I find meaning––or a means to cope with what life throws at us–– through heart, hope, a lot of irony, and a fresh perspective (pulled from six decades on this orb).”

by Vivian Manning-Schaffel: From a journalist, essayist, and untethered culture nerd who covers entertainment, pop culture, psychology, health, and anything zeitgeist-y.

by : Writing about mental illness, anxiety, therapy, comedy, self-isolation, midlife, hiding from the world, self-esteem, living with mental disorders, growing up troubled, mother/daughter trauma/drama.

by Carol Bain Adler: “Where you'll find personal essays about midlife topics such as making friends, the empty nest, grief, loss, and caregiving. I'm new in town--both living in a new city and new on Substack, so I'm navigating new chapters and here to tell about it.”

by Heidi Fielder: “A warm community of creative mothers who dream of making a little book magic, even when life is bananas. Inside you’ll find honest and encouraging conversations about caregiving and writing, along with helpful tips for getting work done when there are so many demands on your time and energy.”

by : Reassuring and supportive advice on resolving conflict at home and work a lawyer and negotiation coach whose mission is to share the conflict resolution skills she has built at Harvard Law, in corporate boardrooms, and at home parenting her teenagers.

by Abigail K: “I use this space to explore, expand & express myself so I can connect with & inspire others.”

by Amy Blackstone, PhD: “Have you ever looked back on a moment and known that’s when everything changed? For me, a fateful decision to honor a commitment is simply the latest. NEVERTHELESS, PERSISTING is a newsletter inspired by a moment in time, about the moments we persist through over time.”

by : “The Next Write Thing is about recovery and growth. Recovery from disordered eating and thinking, recovery from depression and trauma. It’s about the stories of my childhood and the lessons I’ve learned. About how I move through the world. It’s about love and community.”

by Lani V. Cox: Essays by a latchkey kid but without the key, so learned to break into the house; a reader, writer, friend to animals and scones; and a first generation American living abroad since 2009.

by Lisa Bolin: A home for my ponderings and wondering about life, a dash of poetry, and seasonal change from an Australian living on an archipelago in the Baltic Sea.

: From a culture and health journalist whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Glamour, and Vox. Wherever she goes, she brings a little bit of Miami with her.

by : “I explore the gap between what I expected this phase of my life to be like and the reality of my experience. As a mom of two twice-exceptional kids, I’ve had to shed my ideas about what parenting would look like, and am chatting my own territory as I go.”

by : “Fiction, essays and photography. Sometimes about Calcutta, New York and Paris, my three homes.”

by Kristi Spence: “About paying attention to what’s around us and giving thought to things often overlooked. It’s a newsletter about exploring what catches our eye and giving it a second glance - it’s about cultivating something meaningful in our everyday experiences.”

by : From a nutrition and somatic therapist who treats trauma-related food and body concerns and writes about whole-self wellness and encouraging this over selfies for the next generation. She is the author of the award-winning books Nourish and Nurture.

by Tawnya Gibson: Personal essays that cover those ‘off the record’ moments of life.

by Brenda: Focuses on life after structured (corporate) work. I retired September 29, 2023 and write about enjoying life and retirement.

by Sari Botton: Explores what it means to travel through time in a human body—of any gender, at every phase of life. It focuses on the good, the bad, and the ugly we experience with each milestone, starting early in life. It’s about the experience of getting older, and what that means at different junctures.

: “A newsletter and podcast designed for mid-career women, typically between 35 and 55, who are navigating personal and professional transitions. Drawing from my experience moving from NYC to Paris and my work as a career coach, I share real stories, coaching insights, and practical tools to help you embrace the messy, transformative journey of self-discovery.”

by Sarah Styf:

by Rebecca D. Martin: A place for those who want to pay attention, a home for anyone who finds poetry and literature a compass to making sense of life. That true-north needle often makes us feel a little different, and I know something about being different: chronic illness and late-diagnosed autism have set me on a course that doesn’t fit with traditional expectations. In this space, I meander from poetry reading to middle-aged autistic experience, from literary women

by Kate Stewart: “A newsletter and podcast includes essays primarily on history, politics, activism, and storytelling (what I need to pass on) and podcasts/oral histories with people who have done incredible things and have great stories to tell (what I want them to pass on to me and whoever is listening).”

: “the reincarnation of a blog I started in 2020 to address the many issues/transitions of midlife in a way I couldn't find. I wanted to create the community I was craving, and contribute to a shifting cultural conversation about age. I write personal essays that acknowledge the challenges but also highlight the hard-earned wisdom and growth, journalistic style pieces to share resources and information, lifestyle bits and pieces, and I also share midlife-adjacent links and recommendations that I think will be helpful/interesting to my midlife audience.”

Suggested Read: “Style Knows No Age”

by Lanette Sweeney: “Started as a pledge for me to reflect on all the content I consume. But then my mother attempted suicide, so some personal stuff has gotten in there, too.”

by Shelby Tutty: Explains the biology of perimenopause packaged as entertainment. It's written by a certified menopause educator and health professional and is filled with valuable, applicable health and wellness information.”

by Dr. Heidi: “The quest to understand how to get older and wiser healthfully and hopefully, and what I am learning along the way. I coined the term The Pink Zones to describe the places and conditions that allow women to thrive in Midlife and beyond.”

by Traci Childress, Ed.D.: “I write at the intersection of heart and leadership, sharing stories of memory, love, and change in "The Porch Light is On" and exploring leadership, identity, and education in "The Unfinished Leader."“

by Beth Dorsett: “I’m redefining mid-life crisis as a mid-life transition. I’m rejecting and releasing expectations that I no longer accept. No regrets, just an opportunity to begin a life that is now uniquely and simply mine. I'm writing about the journey vulnerably and with authenticity and optimism.”

by Tracy Mansolillo: A guide to overcoming adversity, building resilience and transforming your life. With deep insights from the worlds of psychology, neuroscience, and metaphysics, The Power of Change offers a roadmap to healing, human connection and the pursuit of joy.

Suggested Read: “Life After 50 Is Not the End”

: From an author, Fortune 200 leader-turned-entrepreneur, and mom of two boys. I'm passionate about helping people make better decisions (especially when the stakes are high) and snacks.

by : “I write the weekly newsletter, Pretend You're Good At It: personal stories about fear, flailing, and figuring it out. I’m trying to unravel my default assumption that everyone else navigates the world with certainty and confidence while I’m out here living life as the Queen of Hesitation & Doubt.”

by : “A newsletter for women in mid-life or later who could use a good laugh or cry, maybe a book or lipstick recommendation, and a community that really sees them. You’re not invisible around here.”

by Marychris Melli: “My deeply personal, honest and vulnerable reflections on being a women. All that it has done to me and for me and how societal expectations affected all of it. My deep hope is that these stories resonate in a way that makes you feel connected and seen.”

: A rainbow of beautiful truths + curated creations seen through the lens of a seasoned midlife coach, licensed counselor, art therapist, queer artist, and bestselling + award-winning author of Midlife Emergence: Free Your Inner Fire.

by : “Documenting how I am creating a new life for myself in midlife after a sudden and unexpected upturning. I recently completed the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés) and have written about that along the way.”

by Jen Hemphill: “I have been a rock climber for 30 years and a mom for more than 20. How has parenting changed now that my boys are young adults? What is it like to be a longtime climber heading into my 50s?”

by : From a fiction writer, essayist, educator, and the author of Shout Her Lovely Name and Community Chest.

: Giving a voice to true stories and reflections about sexuality aimed mainly but not exclusively at straight women in midlife. All with a view to celebrating female sexuality, encouraging conversations and promoting healing.

by Susie Schwartz: Resources and understanding, feature articles about health and illness, expert patient help, and some musings from a 50-year-old woman (me!) who is happy to still be alive!

by : “I write about grief in all its forms, grieving the loss of loved ones, the changes that occur in our relationships after kids, and the impact that grief can have on not just you and your family but on the rest of your relationships. I write for women who seek to be understood, women who feel like they are losing themselves in motherhood or their marriage.”

by Natalie Serber: “My newsletter read.write.eat. begins with a brief essay, mostly about my midlife experiences. Next comes a section in which I describe and promote book(s) I love. The next section is about writing. And finally I share a recipe.”

by our Midstory Magazine co-editor Stephanie Sprenger: “I write about motherhood at midlife, ADHD, feminism, women’s health, relationships, divorce, therapy, and yes, I am an unapologetic Swiftie. I am a semi-apologetic navel-gazing nostalgia junkie currently working on my first memoir.”

by Suzanne Weller: A newsletter that challenges our thinking around change and the steps we take to transition through it and achieve growth.

by : “I am a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, and author. In my research, private practice, and writing, I draw on science, philosophy, and practices from clinical psychology to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles.”

by Nim de Swardt: A storytelling project that elevates the insights, experiences and wisdom of those who have lived over 18,000 days (50+ years) to re-connect us all.

by Nicole Giordano: A newsletter and community creating closeness, understanding, inspiration, and joy for women in midlife.

: “Rhonda’s experiences in the arts, corporate America, and as a wife and mom provides her with plenty of advice, fodder, and general commiseration on everyday life. Her blog is both sentimental and witty, always with a message of positivity and moving forward.”

by Mary Dansak: “Chronicles my return to horses after a 35+ year hiatus. I remark how this has brought me back to my truest self, and connect to women who have put themselves on hold.”

: “I write where I am: a woman in my 50s sharing my authentic and honest experiences around reinventing herself later in life: new career, sobriety, divorce after 30 years of marriage, relationships with my adult children, dating and romantic relationships in midlife and sober; grief after not just the loss of parents, but also of a sibling and a nephew.”

: From women of faith, over the age of 50, who have published many books and spent a lot of time thinking, talking, and writing about midlife and beyond.

by Skylar Liberty Rose: A writer, coach, and pro-aging advocate helping women embrace their 40s and 50s with passion and purpose. Through courses, coaching, and circles, she has helped thousands of women to smash ageist stereotypes, challenge a culture of anti-aging, and create meaningful change in their lives.

by : “At the age of 61, I feel as though I’ve gone through every kind of feelings about fashions, trends, and just dressing in general, and ended up in a place where I’m very happy with my closet, but I just need something to keep me accountable with my consumption.”

by Bridget C.: Writing about being a perinatal therapist, motherhood, and all the intersections of those two things.

by Jennifer Berney: “A collaborative project by Sarah Tavis and Jennifer Berney, two women in midlife who are pursuing joy through creative expression. We seek a community of readers and fellow seekers who want to dig through the mess and integrate our creative, wild minds into all aspects of life.”

by Cathy: Written from the point of view of a woman who has lived half a life, including personal stories as well as social commentary

Shellshocked by Shelly: A personal newsletter about figuring it out in real time. It’s about navigating the in-between—between careers, relationships, expectations, and the versions of ourselves we thought we’d be by now. It’s not curated. It’s not a how-to guide. It’s just real life with a voice, a sense of humor, and a decent vocabulary.

by Fran Mason: “I’ve tried to braid my life’s threads together, keeping a sense of continuity with the person I’ve been at every stage of my life. I still find inspiration in the things I enjoyed as a child, and before I could drive, and when I was always broke: journal writing, reading, bike riding, exploring, finding the natural world in the city.”

by Vanessa Scaringi, PhD: “As a licensed psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist I write about my observations about motherhood, diet culture and sandwich generation living.”

by Kerstin Auer: “I write about midlife as a GenX woman, caretaker of my husband who had to retire at 50 due to a devastating diagnosis. Navigating life and taking inventory of who I am and what I'm learning along the way.”

by Francesca Moroney: “I started my Substack to chronicle life post-divorce, which happened to coincide with my children entering or ending college, the pandemic, and my own mid-life changes. I write about what healing means to me.”

by : “Sister stories from history and in fiction. Celebrating sisters who changed the world in big ways and small, as well as novels, new and old, that feature sister-relationships. My monthly round up email includes writing news and a book giveaway.”

by : Musings on this unique life stage (generously defined), with recipes. Current focus on breast cancer and an upcoming move to Portugal.

by Kerri Sparling: About growing older with type 1 diabetes.

by Keri Shee: Queer-identified writer exploring the elusive and potent spaces between endings and new beginnings.

by Sommer Schafer: “Because we always need more conversation around literature, books, writing, reading, and what it means to live thoughtfully in the world.”

The Spark by Madelyn Postman: A place for inspiration and community for readers and writers. The monthly newsletter includes an author interview, book recommendations, writing resources, and personal updates.

: Part memoir, part side-bar conversations about midlife, creativity, recovery, and a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

by Shelley Durga Karpaty: “A publication about Motherhood, Spirituality, and Mental Health through personal essays and researched pieces showcasing new ways to think about difficult topics. The community brings parents and creatives together for exploration and healing. We come together in a sanctuary for your soul—where your stories matter, your struggles are sacred, and healing is a creative act.”

by Rebecca Morton: “Covers my childhood memories as a daughter of a theatrical director and playwright as well as research about the history of American regional theatre.”

by Barbara Valentin: “My attempt to stop wasting this precious life, and I sincerely hope you’ll join me on what promises to be a sometimes bumpy, sometimes ridiculous, but ultimately enlightening journey.”

: The focus is the empowerment of women after midlife through creativity, and especially through writing fiction and also features articles on sexuality, beauty, health and finance after midlife.

by : “Spills the beans on how I research my historical murder mystery novels, set in 1920s London. I share favourite historical facts, sources and research tips, often about women's changing role in the 1920s. Like many mid-life female authors, I've taken charge of my career by self-publishing.”

by Holly Holt: “I write about the cocooning, the waiting, the boredom, the confusion, and the (potential) breaking open that midlife brings. As a lifelong seeker and, more recently, caregiver to my elderly parents, I share practices that have supported my health and sanity including what I call ‘deep river’ writing, seasonal and lunar rituals, embodiment (yoga, dance, somatics), personality theory, and energy work.”

oard Life by Kristin Fellows: How one woman unintentionally built an adventurous 30-year career in documentary film with $20, a little magical thinking & no film degree.

by Stacy Smith Rogers: “I write about ways I've discovered strength post-divorce and the power of community, friendships and the pursuit of leaving a legacy for my three daughters + one granddaughter.”

by : “StyleYourStack is my stack for folks on Substack to receive design and tech help for their newsletters. I'm a web and graphic designer, in addition to being a writer, with years of marketing and design experience. My aim is to demystify the process of publishing on Substack, and helping you understand and utilize the tools available to you.”

: Twice weekly posts on fashion, culture, current affairs, dating, divorce, grief, and professional issues from a trade union leader.

by Shawna Ayoub: A free monthly publication on topics of expressive writing for release and recovery and memoir.

by : “A tiny corner of the internet where I share honest, occasionally funny, always truthful musings on parenting, mid-life, complicated grief, and my herculean efforts to live with joy and purpose while navigating the rocky waters of life (especially after a difficult diagnosis).”

by Jules Boulton: About disruptions that are being taken - across a range of fields - to better our world.

by : A newsletter about the complexities of adolescent mental health and development, offering insights into cognitive and emotional challenges faced by teens. It serves as a resource for parents, educators, and professionals navigating the teenage years.

by : “A newsletter for people who want to watch more movies made by women. It began as a blog that I started in late 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein allegations broke. It was a wake-up moment for me when I realized that the vast majority of movies I watched were written or directed by men. I wanted to correct my vision and make an effort to seek out more movies created by women.”

by Lynn Shattuck:

by Emily F. Popek: Explores the culture of parenting and education, from a midlife perspective, from a writer, parent, PR professional and rural enthusiast whose parenting idol is Ramona Quimby's mom.

from writer and editor Holly Sawchuk: Figuring it all out — the murky midlife of a woman who is sometimes flying and sometimes drowning.

by Loretta: A brutally honest, often messy, sometimes hilarious account of midlife dating and sex post-divorce.

by Tamsin Chennell:

by Rebecca Ferguson: For women aged 35-55+ who are craving an expansive vision for their sex lives. It features stories from the journey of Rebecca Ferguson, who went from a sexless marriage to a multi-orgasmic wonderland, in which she achieved 3000+ orgasms in one year. It’s filled with data, tips and candid observations about what worked and what didn’t.

by Adina Dinu: Connecting 20+ years of HR experience with 40+ years of recovery from childhood abuse and trauma.

by : Where humor, philosophy, and storytelling intersect. Marketing for people who hate marketing.

by Sarah McCraw Crow: Covers books, art, late bloomers, and writing. It also includes an occasional series called Midlife Authors, featuring writers who debuted at midlife.

by : Anti-diet fashion advice from a perimenopausal stylist.

by Ashley Kelsch: From a former lingerie & sexual wellness shop owner turned dating & relationship columnist & coach, who now spends her time writing about and coaching people how to Unf*ck Midlife.

: “I write personal essays about the neurodiverse experiences of women in midlife. I also offer coaching advice to self-employed neurodiverse women.”

by : An unconventional—and occasionally unpopular—approach to raising strong, smart, and sane kids in a world that's lost its way. This candid exploration fearlessly tackles tough parenting topics, offering insights into the often bumpy transition to adulthood. From parents of ‘almost-growns’ learning to step back (kind of) to young adults navigating the complexities of 'adulting' (with varying degrees of success), this perspective sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of growing up—and letting go—in today's unpredictable world.

by Kate Boyette: “I'm a newly single mother at 46 years of age, writing about my transition out of marriage and into my new phase of life as a writer. My essays discuss patriarchy, misogyny, motherhood, perimenopause, food, and finding my creative way.”

by Marni Battista: Helping successful women in midlife say, “screw the should life” and start living life on their terms (without blowing up the life they have).

: “Finding my voice and finding my way back to myself following caring for my son through his serious illness and then my own.”

: “As a former magazine editor I think of it as a left-of-centre mini-magazine. An essay I write anchors each week's newsletter (the "features well") and then around it I build the "furniture" in the form of carefully curated links to great external content including other Substackers' work. I include links to topics not typically covered by women's mags, including politics, art, creativity, craft, the environment and nature.”

by Elise Young: “An account of a random street assault that injured my brain and left me in need of craniofacial reconstruction. I write about healing emotionally with my horse, Victoria, in a community of fellow equestrians, all women.”

by Claire Ponders: A weekly travel newsletter for curious people in search of awe and inspiration, focusing on how we change the world by moving through it, and how the world changes us each time we feel moved.

by : “Every parent who’s “doing it right” has struggles and challenges. The “normal” child does not exist; like so many others my family and I are neurodiverse. I have been writing my "Momoir" about autism and I lead my readers along the path from mystery and dark forests full of biting creatures through tunnels of quirky behaviors, ill fitting diagnoses, misunderstandings, tears, judgments, and diagnostic testing, and over the hurdles of social skills learning, friendship making, bullying, and self regulation strategies. We’ll voyage through the treacherous lands of middle school and high school to arrive at the podium of graduation and the prizes that come out of nonstandard neurology.”

by Lou Blaser: A publication exploring how to live fully NOW so we can die happy LATER. It's also a growing community of midlifers interested in joyful and intentional living. The community is focused on supporting each other as we pursue fulfillment, fun, and friendships.

by : “As a midlife mom, business owner, writer and polymath, my stack covers a variety of interesting subjects. As a perimenopausal woman shocked by the blindspot modern medicine and society at large has for this enormously important and complex part of every woman’s life, I’m sating the quiet parts out loud with honesty, humor and humility.”

by Abbey Algiers: “Where I share all of the wellness tips/hacks/tricks, career advice, travel ideas, podcast & YouTube recs, shopping ideas (fashion & home), and anything else that catches my attention.”

: “The gritty, unpolished side of the writing life—where things don't always go as planned, and that's okay.”

by : Life at the bleeding edge of Generation X. Money, work, culture, and life in general from a writer specializing in business and finance.

by : “My ongoing weekly sex tips for girls* (*girls who are holding on to mid-life by a thread). A modern dating and love odyssey for Young Olds, AKA, people with readers.”

by Charlene Alofs: Stories inspired by a bumpy yellow brick road, finding humor in growing older and making up for lost time by celebrating the simple things, the extraordinary in the ordinary moments, and of course, YOU!

by Miriam Verheyden: Deeply honest and vulnerable essays about love, fear, mental health, and being a woman in the world, as well as perimenopause, feminism, living a sober lifestyle, age-gap relationship (my husband is 25 years older than me).

by Patsy Day: “I write about women navigating the wobbly middle of their midlife careers. My aim is to build a supportive community giving women the confidence to seek knowledge, explore new avenues, and embrace the sometimes scary, sometimes exhilarating uncertainty of this next phase of their working lives. The companion podcast launches [in September] where we interview women who've pivoted in their careers midlife eg midwife turned femtech innovator; doctors who re-specialised and founded a hormone clinic after not being able to find help for their sub-fertile, perimenopausal patients).”

by Marylee Pangman: “I write near-future adventure fiction. My series, Women of the Canyon, tells uplifting stories of five strong, successful women navigating later in life transitions. Through this and parallel nonfiction, I offer insights that help women navigate life’s later transitions with confidence, connection, and inspiration.”

by : “(Wo)menopause is about being. Being what you ask? Just being. Essays about life, pain, mental health, humor and whatever else comes to mind from a woman of a certain age.”

by Kim Druker Stockwell: “Entering midlife is like beginning a new adulthood. It’s exciting but, let’s be honest, change is hard. There are moments when we miss what was. Like, what was I doing? What was I saying? What? But you’re not alone! Here I am, and here we go!!”

: “My Substack is, in broad strokes, about ‘Writing, Creativity, and Other Acts of Mayhem.’ In reality, it is about identity, finding time and space to be all the things we want to be while juggling all the things we have to be. Motherhood -- the real struggles and joys -- is a constant in my blog.”

by Pia Hinckle: Essays and stories of wild swimming, old San Francisco, shaking off fear, family, and food

: “For accomplished women, writing after 50. Write your truth. Share decades of experience and expertise to make an impact and leave your legacy. Finally be seen. Sharing my stories and strategies, while creating collaborations and community to make the path fun and fruitful.”

by Paige Geiger: The title (Work in Progress) is in reference to my current writing project (a memoir of my year as a young research scientist living in Florence, Italy) and because despite recently turning the glorious age of 50, I still feel like I am a work in progress. I write about work/life balance, parenting teens, healthy aging, and caring for a parent with dementia. Oh, and books!

by Zoe Deleuil: Writing, reviews, essays, rants, recipes and more from the Perth desk of crime novelist Zoe Deleuil.

by Tracey Edelist: “Prompted by the discovery of a secret about my identity that my birth mother managed to keep hidden from me for 50 years, I write about what it was like to discover my dad is not my biological father, and the identity crisis and life and relationship changes that ensued. I share personal narratives about mothers, fathers, daughters, the cascading effects of childhood trauma, and the cost of keeping secrets from ourselves and our loved ones.”

: From a woman in midlife who was saved by writing, connecting fellow writers through literary citizenship.

by Elizabeth Austin: “I share personal narratives that blend vivid storytelling with emotional insight. My Substack essays explore topics like single motherhood, endurance, and pushing through unexpected challenges, often with a sharp wit and candid vulnerability. Readers can expect reflections on atypical family dynamics, societal expectations, and the power of enduring through hardship.”

by : From a seasoned writer, editor, and brand builder whose work centers around her achievements and passions, often as seen through the lens of aging: the business of fashion, beauty, and a devotion to wellness and fitness.

by Jordan Rosenfeld: A place to reflect and dissect aspects of our changing bodies and world, as well as writing and books, through essays, reflections and analysis.

by Shannon: “A newsletter and a space for discussing writing about hard things, sharing insights around culture, craft, grief, relationships and aging and whatever shards of insight I’ve gleaned from experiencing the world through the lens of grief. I share the ups and downs of writing a memoir, tips, resources and how writing can be a tool to help with grief.”

by Mary Carter: Essays, descriptions, lists, and other writings about essential renewal and important conversations through the daily, glorious mess of making. —It's the doing that matters.

by Janine Agoglia: Discusses practicing yoga when you are over 50, both on and off the mat from a GenX yoga instructor and how to use yoga, meditation, journaling, and breath to get through life's challenges, learning to be kinder and gentler the myself and teaching others to do the same.

by Tracey Fenner: “My intent is to share essays with an artistic twist, to highlight the struggles and aspirations that we feel navigating mid life. You Are Not Alone is a physical manifestation of everything I care about in life. Through my self studies my hope is that my essays will help you (and me) to move through today’s modern, often stressful and ever evolving world more easily ❤️ using our precious time on our yoga mats to shine a light on those deeper conversations with ourselves.”

by Jaimee Kosanke-Martello: From a documentary, sports, and live TV producer who explores life's journey through creative nonfiction, poetry, and humor.

by : From a writer and a lifelong noticer, whose highest calling is to drink up the tiny details of life and share them with the world.

by Holly Bailie: “I focus on personal growth, through a range of topics including mindfulness, fulfilment, and self-coaching/journalling questions.”

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The Midstack Directory

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