I like to say outrageous things to my students. Even better, outrageous things that are true.
Yesterday I told them “Don’t believe them when they tell you these are the best years of your life. It’s not high school, for sure. It’s not college, nope. It’s your 40s, kids, just you wait till you get to your 40s.”
They looked at me with shock. Perfect.
And it’s so true. I turned 45 yesterday. (Thank you for all your birthday love!) In my 40s, I’ve found love and learned how to live in love. I’ve learned how to love myself and delight in living in and as myself. I know who I am. I know what I want to do. I know how to do it.
At the same time I see an endless road of learning and growth stretching out ahead of me. I feel my capacity to learn, to experience joy, to heal and to bring healing, expanding in my breath. I’m so grateful for this life and for all you beautiful people I get to share it with.
If you want to follow what I’m working on, you can find me at my bi-weekly newsletter Wild Healing. I’m writing about learning to connect to spirit again, from a post-Christian perspective. A lot of what I write about is exploring Indigenous wisdom and navigating the complexities and tension of that journey as a non-native person. At the same time, I write about my growing sense of urgency for this land to return to the ways of care, reciprocity, and responsibility that Indigenous peoples have been practicing in continuity since before historical memory.
If you’re interested in being in conversation about this, or even just want to support my endeavor to keep prioritizing writing and creative connection, please subscribe to Wild Healing. It’s free! Please share with anyone who may be on a similar path. I know there are many of us, and I’m trying to find my people. I struggle a lot with anxiety about posting, which is why I’m not on here much. But I think it’s worth it if I can connect with genuine community. Love to everyone. Sending prayers that you can keep finding yourself opening in and to love
I posted this rundown of Parkinson's Disease--which many people think they understand, but don't. I'll admit that I was clueless about it myself, before my husband's diagnosis.
I read your article this morning and your experience has popped back up into my brain frequently since. You shared good information and I appreciate it.
I agree, I can’t seem to really relax without feeling I should be doing something. Though I think this stems partly from my dad always expecting me to be doing something and not really allowing me to rest, as well as my adhd brain on active alert all the time.
This note is for a post about how, as I prepare to leave for the Camino in, like, ten days, stories from trails past are popping up to rattle their chains and remind me why I'm doing this.
Grateful for this midlife corner and being able to support you here. I’m warming up to notes so I’ll share my latest post about about the 4 seasons of personal growth and how I thought I was stuck… but I was actually in a season no one talks about.
Thank you for sharing this post and your experience. I recently worked with a mid-life doula (@yourmagicalmidlife1). I am SO GLAD I did. Midlife and the changes women go through is a rite of passage. It's a metamorphosis. I'm glad to have had the guidance and someone to walk the path with me.
I'm new here and am looking forward to reading all of your notes and posts! I strive for midlife humor here on Substack ( a new thing for me). This week, I haven't been writing many notes, but I just posted about my very outdated closet. Again, looking forward to connecting with all of you through your writing!
My latest note that wasn't a restack asked why people want to build general artifical intelligence. Genuine question: why are people interested in this?
We did that last year and this weekend we just left our teen home for a short weekend trip so he could pet sit - his choice so he could get some work done and have a day with friends. Nervewracking but I was impressed he got himself to school yesterday.
We haven't gotten to the point of leaving my son for a weekend, but I sense we are getting close. It is extremely nerve wracking. Thanks for engaging with my piece.
I can’t wait to read all these! My note was for a new post recommending 6 new or upcoming novels that are sister stories 👯♀️ https://substack.com/@katebraithwaiteauthor/note/c-234082662?r=1nkyhd&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Just commented! I'm off to the Florida Keys next week and you inspired me!
Thanks for sharing that post, I found a couple to add to my TBR list!
I spy some spring holiday reads there, thanks for sharing!
The Winter Witch sounds intriguing!
Here’s my note: I’m counting the days until my memoir is published and today is 49 days out. https://substack.com/@kdbonville/note/c-234083929?r=4e5q4&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Congratulations! Get in touch if you'd like to do something with me at Midstory/Midstack to help celebrate your publication!
I would love that! What’s the best way for us to connect!
You can email me at midstackcommunity@gmail.com ;)
I’ll be in touch soon!
Hi Katie, Congratulations!
I just replied to your note. I do have a podcast!
❤️❤️
I like to say outrageous things to my students. Even better, outrageous things that are true.
Yesterday I told them “Don’t believe them when they tell you these are the best years of your life. It’s not high school, for sure. It’s not college, nope. It’s your 40s, kids, just you wait till you get to your 40s.”
They looked at me with shock. Perfect.
And it’s so true. I turned 45 yesterday. (Thank you for all your birthday love!) In my 40s, I’ve found love and learned how to live in love. I’ve learned how to love myself and delight in living in and as myself. I know who I am. I know what I want to do. I know how to do it.
At the same time I see an endless road of learning and growth stretching out ahead of me. I feel my capacity to learn, to experience joy, to heal and to bring healing, expanding in my breath. I’m so grateful for this life and for all you beautiful people I get to share it with.
If you want to follow what I’m working on, you can find me at my bi-weekly newsletter Wild Healing. I’m writing about learning to connect to spirit again, from a post-Christian perspective. A lot of what I write about is exploring Indigenous wisdom and navigating the complexities and tension of that journey as a non-native person. At the same time, I write about my growing sense of urgency for this land to return to the ways of care, reciprocity, and responsibility that Indigenous peoples have been practicing in continuity since before historical memory.
If you’re interested in being in conversation about this, or even just want to support my endeavor to keep prioritizing writing and creative connection, please subscribe to Wild Healing. It’s free! Please share with anyone who may be on a similar path. I know there are many of us, and I’m trying to find my people. I struggle a lot with anxiety about posting, which is why I’m not on here much. But I think it’s worth it if I can connect with genuine community. Love to everyone. Sending prayers that you can keep finding yourself opening in and to love
https://substack.com/@elisabethhedrick/note/c-233937631?r=3f29n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Happy birthday, Elisabeth! Welcome to our little corner of Substack here at Midstack!
Thank you! I love the energy of this space!
I am on a similar path. Happy to be connected. Subscribed to you and want to hear more!
Happy Birthday! Hope you find your people on Substack! I'm pretty new myself and it seems like a great place to be. Midstack too :)
Thank you! And welcome to you as well! Yeah, Midstack is lovely. Just knowing what it is and aims to do creates a high likelihood of that, right?
Absolutely agree!
Happy Birthday! To much more joy to come!
I posted this rundown of Parkinson's Disease--which many people think they understand, but don't. I'll admit that I was clueless about it myself, before my husband's diagnosis.
https://msmiddler.substack.com/p/what-you-might-not-know-about-parkinsons?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3gdcc
I read your article this morning and your experience has popped back up into my brain frequently since. You shared good information and I appreciate it.
Friend so much ❤️
I recently shared a note about how time pressure makes me feel the need to always be optimizing, even in my leisure time:
https://substack.com/@jillianbybee/note/c-232582548?r=msmog&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I agree, I can’t seem to really relax without feeling I should be doing something. Though I think this stems partly from my dad always expecting me to be doing something and not really allowing me to rest, as well as my adhd brain on active alert all the time.
My parents definitely contributed to this feeling for me as well!
Uff, right?
Oh I feel this!
Thank you for this! Sharing a note that promotes a post about what happens when we compromise ourselves to fit in, and still lose: https://substack.com/@lorimacgregor/note/c-233197274?r=5bs8e8&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Thanks for sharing! I love stories like this about founders and their journeys.
Thank you for giving a platform to share it!
Liked and subscribed!
Thank you!
Loved it. Inspiring. Takes a lot of guts.
This note is for a post about how, as I prepare to leave for the Camino in, like, ten days, stories from trails past are popping up to rattle their chains and remind me why I'm doing this.
https://substack.com/@amybee/note/c-234145450?r=54aj6&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Grateful for this midlife corner and being able to support you here. I’m warming up to notes so I’ll share my latest post about about the 4 seasons of personal growth and how I thought I was stuck… but I was actually in a season no one talks about.
https://drsuemccreadie.substack.com/p/my-midlife-transformation-didnt-look
Welcome! Your Substack looks beautiful!
Thank you Jessica. So grateful for your leadership in connecting all of us here. What a gift you are. 💛
Thank you for sharing this post and your experience. I recently worked with a mid-life doula (@yourmagicalmidlife1). I am SO GLAD I did. Midlife and the changes women go through is a rite of passage. It's a metamorphosis. I'm glad to have had the guidance and someone to walk the path with me.
I never realised midlife doulas existed - that’s a great idea and much needed too! ❤️
A recent note on watching the sunrise every day to keep me sane. With a pic of a deer silhouetted in the orange light: note:https://substack.com/@jocelynlovelle/note/c-230237064
A short reflection on why group conversations can feel difficult for some people—not due to lack of confidence, but because of timing and processing style. It highlights how fast-paced exchanges can leave more reflective thinkers without a natural entry point, even as they’re deeply engaged. https://substack.com/@amydowningwrites/note/c-233793684?r=7c59c7&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Hi all,
I'm new here and am looking forward to reading all of your notes and posts! I strive for midlife humor here on Substack ( a new thing for me). This week, I haven't been writing many notes, but I just posted about my very outdated closet. Again, looking forward to connecting with all of you through your writing!
https://deerothwriter.substack.com/p/death-by-closet?r=18jfpz
Welcome, Diane! We are thrilled for you to join us!
Thank you so much Jessica! What an awesome space you’ve created here! I’m so grateful to you for creating it and welcoming me inside!
My latest note that wasn't a restack asked why people want to build general artifical intelligence. Genuine question: why are people interested in this?
https://substack.com/@ericalucaststonestreet/note/c-232551379?r=25crho&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Just a funny note about my husband mishearing a classic song lyric:
https://substack.com/@raisedbytv/note/c-234653724?r=3nwjf0&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I love the collaborative nature of this post! My note is about being startled by the changes that have occurred in my mind and body during perimenopause and how I resisted the at first before realizing they actually allowed me to become the most evolved version of myself. https://substack.com/@katiefarinas/note/c-232681371?r=2c7x2x&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Thank you for joining us, Katie! Just looked through your Substack. You'll definitely fit in here at Midstack.
Thank you Jessica! Glad I found you!
First time participating in Midstack Friday. Here is the note I just pounded out about the last two months. My mother fell and broke a vertebrae on January 27th. I stepped up: https://substack.com/profile/7451547-jonya/note/c-234216247?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=4fpnf
This week I wrote about loosening the reins on my teenager a little by getting him an Uber account.
https://rhondasmusings.substack.com/p/uber-freedom?r=2w1efc
Check out my substack on parenting teens: https://lisafranz.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
We did that last year and this weekend we just left our teen home for a short weekend trip so he could pet sit - his choice so he could get some work done and have a day with friends. Nervewracking but I was impressed he got himself to school yesterday.
We haven't gotten to the point of leaving my son for a weekend, but I sense we are getting close. It is extremely nerve wracking. Thanks for engaging with my piece.