I write about turning 50 and creating my Countryside Walks and Storybook Villages Tour in France. It's titled "Lost and Found in France at 50" https://substack.com/home/post/p-194823990
Weird that I found you just this morning and now I find you here! I live in Ohio. We seem to have a lot in common. I want to know everything. I’m following my dreams. Here I am.
I adored your description of connecting with that young man. I understand the beauty of connecting with strangers while traveling, and that pang of sadness when we need to part. I got teary when I saw his picture - what a beautiful memory. Thank you for sharing ♥️
I’ve always been a walker not a hiker no matter where I walk. I love that you’ve had such wonderful adventures in France and the connection you developed with this young man sounds so beautiful. What a wonderful gift to you on your 50th birthday!
I write about my love of books and reading through a feminist lens. I recently wrote a post about the domestic infrastructure (often provided by women!) that has enabled many highly successful male authors. There is a very lively conversation going in the comments! https://caitlinweaver.substack.com/p/behind-every-prolific-male-author
Women are so freaking extraordinary. What we achieve, contribute, create and deliver in the world is magnificent. To see your words demonstrate so clearly how different it is for women compared to men, it amplifies my longing to lift up and celebrate all women. Even those doing seemingly mundane daily chores are likely doing them so that someone else can do ‘more’.
This is awesome. I work in theater where, historically, male directors reign havoc and women are relied on as assistants. Thank goodness this is changing, but there are a lot of forgotten women behind the giants of the stage and screen as well.
Hi Amy! I’m a fellow cancer mom. My daughter had cancer in 2018/2019 (pediatric brain cancer) and I write about it as well. Will definitely be reading your story!
Indeed we do. Funny how no one asks dads those questions. I felt responsible. My husband thought I was crazy. But, if you’re a mother, you get it. Thanks for reading and commenting:)
I will but so often I feel it's all for nothing. Some days, I feel like maybe, just maybe this could be okay...Other days, not. Depends on my mood, the weather, and if I'm hungry;)
This is my first Midstack share! My substack, Midlifery, has recently focused on a big transition: selling the suburban home where we raised our kids and moving to the city. My most recent pieces captures a morning walk around my neighborhood:
I write about living my vision of becoming stronger, bolder and weirder as I age over at Midlifery. If you are navigating a big life transition or even just considering it, come join me!
Hi Jen, it's always lovely to bump into fellow therapists. I'm in the UK and write about life transitions and mental health. I'll head over to your substack and browse!
This week I shared a significant moment in my journey of transitioning from the parent-child relationship to an adult-adult relationship with my sons. I reflected on my unconventional approach to raising them and how, despite being scary at times, I’m so glad I trusted the process.
————-
I write about womanhood, motherhood, emerging in my sacred sexuality after 27 years of monogamy, blossoming into a life of freedom and adventure as I come into land on my menopausing journey as a 48 year old woman - find me at Bea The Tree Writes.
Found you Bea! Just read your piece about your son passing his driving test. I remember the feeling at 17 after four attempts! I have a 20 year old son who Ubers every where.
I remember feeling so smug that I passed first time only to later discover that, the truth is, those who pass on later attempts actually make safer drivers. My 20 yr old walks or uses the tram. He’s a great driver but he can’t pass the theory test so, for now, he’s not as mobile as he’d like to be!
Popular Note this week - Went for the surf. Returned for the cats. 2 months on Substack. I write for women in midlife - stories about the ocean, Jamaica, (Senegal coming soon) and what happens when you finally say yes to yourself. https://substack.com/@surfsoulretreats/note/c-254253262
Hi, I’m Soraya. I just launched No More Leftovers at nomoreleftovers.substack.com. It’s a newsletter about being a woman in the middle of menopause, aging parents, kids who aren’t quite launched, and a career I’m still figuring out at 51. I write honestly about all of it because we deserve more than the leftovers of our own time, energy, care, and ambition.
I love to think of all my unread books in the same way others think about their wine cellar. One day I’ll know it’s exactly the right time to reach for a certain book and savour its contents. I also believe (perhaps foolishly) that I am slowly absorbing the energy of the book simply by it being in my home. Either way, I think it’s a wonderful habit to buy books that call our name even if we don’t read them for years!
I read somewhere this is like a wine collector or an oenophile. You find a book and add it to your collection, it doesn't have to be for immediate consumption. When the time is right you'll read it (or not) or give it as a gift.
One year, I made a little project out of reading my unread books - choosing one a month instead of constantly churning new books from the library or bookstore. I finally read some real gems!
Thank you for sharing this discovery! I do a little exercise occasionally (ok, I've done it one time) where I set a timer and read the first page or so from some of my piled-up books and then put the ones that grab me most at the top of the pile.
And then I ignore them for all the holds coming through from the library.
You write: Ultimately, it makes me sad that life moves so fast and I can never ever slow it down. - I can relate to that so well. Thank you for the story!
Such a beautiful picture. We have cherry trees planted along the river where I live. Every year I go and sit under them to be snowed on in petals. This year, it was so hot, all the blooms burned up right at bloom time. It made me sad.
That is sad, I feel for you. We have had a protracted, mostly cold spring in Scotland so everything has a preserved, slightly stuck feel but the blossom is incredible. (I could do with a tiny bit of heat at this point though!)
Hi all! My first time contributing here :) I write about books, finding myself through unconventional means (single mom at 19, lived abroad and traveled to over fifty countries with my kid), and healing (even though the terminology still makes me cringe, as you'll see in this piece). Happy reading! Grateful to now be a part of this community ♥️ https://natashasteer1.substack.com/p/all-the-natashas-ive-been-before?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=64x8a
This week I wrote about outgrowing a room full of people you still care about. Not the big dramatic exit. The quiet kind where you're still showing up and you've already left. I write about publishing, writing, and the parts of this work nobody warns you about.
As someone who has made all sorts of exits, what you wrote echos of the maturity of mid-life and clarity that I've felt detaching or moving on from all sorts of relationships in the past few years. Thank you for sharing!
Ooof. Just your description triggers something in me that's like a hard truth that must be looked at. Growing apart is pain and freedom. It's a lot for the sensitive heart to bear. xoxo
Writing this post felt like splitting myself open . . . but I wonder if this doesn't sometimes need to happen in order to begin to reframe ourselves in midlife? I hope you'll give this a read and let me know how it resonates. My most personal and raw post to date . . .
Hi all, I write for those who believe their best life happens in midlife and beyond with positive, empowering perspectives on easily aging well from this 50+ life-embracing human. This week I wrote a fun, uplifting post about how you celebrate Mother's Day when you don't have any more mothers or grandmothers left and you're not one yourself "Mother's Day Without Mothers" https://melanierjordan.substack.com/p/mothers-day-without-mothers?r=304pj8
I write about turning 50 and creating my Countryside Walks and Storybook Villages Tour in France. It's titled "Lost and Found in France at 50" https://substack.com/home/post/p-194823990
I do a similar thing...although I live in the states and take women on walks in Europe. Would love to connect!
Your story is making me look forward to travelling through France this summer. 😊
It’s my favorite place in the world. Lucky you!!!
It's delightful to find you here, Meghan! I live next door in Switzerland and will keep you in mind if we make our way back to that part of France.
I loved how you wove the pictures throughout. It let me walk alongside you. 💗
Thank you so much. It’s a day I will never forget. So to memorialize it in writing makes me very proud.
Weird that I found you just this morning and now I find you here! I live in Ohio. We seem to have a lot in common. I want to know everything. I’m following my dreams. Here I am.
Thank you! Nice to hear from you. ❤️
I adored your description of connecting with that young man. I understand the beauty of connecting with strangers while traveling, and that pang of sadness when we need to part. I got teary when I saw his picture - what a beautiful memory. Thank you for sharing ♥️
Thank you for reading it. He was a precious young man. And what’s great is he felt it too. I think of him often. ❤️
I’ve always been a walker not a hiker no matter where I walk. I love that you’ve had such wonderful adventures in France and the connection you developed with this young man sounds so beautiful. What a wonderful gift to you on your 50th birthday!
Thank you for reading it! I am honored. It’s long. My story was a dream come true. ❤️
I love all things French! I can't wait to follow along.
Hey there! Me too. Nice to meet you.
I write about my love of books and reading through a feminist lens. I recently wrote a post about the domestic infrastructure (often provided by women!) that has enabled many highly successful male authors. There is a very lively conversation going in the comments! https://caitlinweaver.substack.com/p/behind-every-prolific-male-author
I couldn't love this post more!
Thank you!
Women are so freaking extraordinary. What we achieve, contribute, create and deliver in the world is magnificent. To see your words demonstrate so clearly how different it is for women compared to men, it amplifies my longing to lift up and celebrate all women. Even those doing seemingly mundane daily chores are likely doing them so that someone else can do ‘more’.
Thank you for reading!
omg yes, the hidden domestic labor of all our 'creative genius' men of the world.
This is awesome. I work in theater where, historically, male directors reign havoc and women are relied on as assistants. Thank goodness this is changing, but there are a lot of forgotten women behind the giants of the stage and screen as well.
That’s another great example of this phenomenon!
Great read! Thanks Caitlin - restacked and tagged a few friends, who you may want to connect with too.
Thank you so much!
I've long said I need a wife. One who's better at it than I was;) Love this post!!!
We all need a wife!
Appreciate this Caitlin. Wondering if you've ever read Who Cooked Adam Smith's Dinner?
Someone else just recommended that to me, too! I haven’t read it but it looks really interesting.
It is! I relied on it for the chapter on misogyny in the workplace for my newest book and found it super insightful.
I love this piece and appreciate the follow-up for the initial commenters. This feels like a documentary in the making…
Oooo love. Excited to find you here! :)
Same!
I LOVE this group!!!! My favorite Substack of all my Substacks! I wrote about my daughter's cancer diagnosis in 2009. I was a different woman then. Maybe a better one. Ignorant of how hard life can be. That day, I blamed myself. A good mom would never have missed the signs. This is the link: https://amymchughwriter.substack.com/p/diagnosis-day?r=bvb7b&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Hi Amy! I’m a fellow cancer mom. My daughter had cancer in 2018/2019 (pediatric brain cancer) and I write about it as well. Will definitely be reading your story!
oh, brain cancer. heading over to read your posts. thanks for the follow:)
Oh Amy, this is so beautiful and relatable. We put so much on ourselves as mothers!
Indeed we do. Funny how no one asks dads those questions. I felt responsible. My husband thought I was crazy. But, if you’re a mother, you get it. Thanks for reading and commenting:)
Good luck w/ your book proposal, Amy. Just keep at it. It's a process, and you can do it.
I will but so often I feel it's all for nothing. Some days, I feel like maybe, just maybe this could be okay...Other days, not. Depends on my mood, the weather, and if I'm hungry;)
This is my first Midstack share! My substack, Midlifery, has recently focused on a big transition: selling the suburban home where we raised our kids and moving to the city. My most recent pieces captures a morning walk around my neighborhood:
https://midlifery.substack.com/p/one-morning-in-philadelphia
I write about living my vision of becoming stronger, bolder and weirder as I age over at Midlifery. If you are navigating a big life transition or even just considering it, come join me!
I live about an hour from Philadelphia. It is an interesting city to visit.
Where do you live, Jane?
Montgomery County
Ha! We just moved here from Lower Providence!
We live about 20 min from there. Small world.
great title! I write about midlife, too. can't wait to connect!
Hi Jen, it's always lovely to bump into fellow therapists. I'm in the UK and write about life transitions and mental health. I'll head over to your substack and browse!
What a fun transition for you!
Weirder. Yes. That's my goal too.
That sounds right up my alley, Liz!
Thanks for the restack, Linda!
Ohhh I loved this. Looking forward to reading more of your writing :)
Thank you, Natasha!
This week I shared a significant moment in my journey of transitioning from the parent-child relationship to an adult-adult relationship with my sons. I reflected on my unconventional approach to raising them and how, despite being scary at times, I’m so glad I trusted the process.
————-
I write about womanhood, motherhood, emerging in my sacred sexuality after 27 years of monogamy, blossoming into a life of freedom and adventure as I come into land on my menopausing journey as a 48 year old woman - find me at Bea The Tree Writes.
oh yes, hello... subscribed :)
Thank you! I hope you enjoy being in my little corner of Substack x
Found you Bea! Just read your piece about your son passing his driving test. I remember the feeling at 17 after four attempts! I have a 20 year old son who Ubers every where.
I remember feeling so smug that I passed first time only to later discover that, the truth is, those who pass on later attempts actually make safer drivers. My 20 yr old walks or uses the tram. He’s a great driver but he can’t pass the theory test so, for now, he’s not as mobile as he’d like to be!
This sounds interesting Bea! I'll be taking a look at your Substack. Great to bump into you!
Popular Note this week - Went for the surf. Returned for the cats. 2 months on Substack. I write for women in midlife - stories about the ocean, Jamaica, (Senegal coming soon) and what happens when you finally say yes to yourself. https://substack.com/@surfsoulretreats/note/c-254253262
The ocean has always called to me. This image went straight to my body. 💗
That's exactly it — straight to the body, before the mind gets involved. The ocean doesn't wait for permission. 💙
I love this! subcribed!
"Saying yes to yourself" in all the ways is the secret sauce. I want to go on one of your retreats one day!
Yes to saying yes!
Subscribed. Still holding on my to my dream of at least taking one surf lesson in my life. Glad to find you here.
It's so worth it... definitely keep the dream alive! It's like dancing with magic and mother nature at once.
Hi, I’m Soraya. I just launched No More Leftovers at nomoreleftovers.substack.com. It’s a newsletter about being a woman in the middle of menopause, aging parents, kids who aren’t quite launched, and a career I’m still figuring out at 51. I write honestly about all of it because we deserve more than the leftovers of our own time, energy, care, and ambition.
Congratulations on your launch and welcome to Midstack! I love your Substack name.
I posted a bit about my habit of buying and not immediately reading books. Turns out the Japanese have a word for this!
https://substack.com/@kdbonville/note/c-254048829?r=4e5q4&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I love to think of all my unread books in the same way others think about their wine cellar. One day I’ll know it’s exactly the right time to reach for a certain book and savour its contents. I also believe (perhaps foolishly) that I am slowly absorbing the energy of the book simply by it being in my home. Either way, I think it’s a wonderful habit to buy books that call our name even if we don’t read them for years!
I love this way of thinking about it!
I'm so glad it resonated!
Just seen your comment, snap!
Isn't it wonderful when we find the ways to move through life so we can flow and thrive?
Yes! You’ve captured it exactly.
Thank you!
I read somewhere this is like a wine collector or an oenophile. You find a book and add it to your collection, it doesn't have to be for immediate consumption. When the time is right you'll read it (or not) or give it as a gift.
This year I had some people over for my birthday, and I sent each one of them home with a book from my stash that I thought they’d like.
This is a wonderful idea!
I love that idea!
One year, I made a little project out of reading my unread books - choosing one a month instead of constantly churning new books from the library or bookstore. I finally read some real gems!
That’s a brilliant idea!
Thank you for sharing this discovery! I do a little exercise occasionally (ok, I've done it one time) where I set a timer and read the first page or so from some of my piled-up books and then put the ones that grab me most at the top of the pile.
And then I ignore them for all the holds coming through from the library.
One time is an occasion. Therefore, you’ve done this occasionally!
I feel so seen and will never think of my stacks on stacks on piles the same way again.
Wonderful!
I love this! I posted a note last week about having the very same habit...
It’s a fun, if sometimes expensive, habit!
I write about my life, in forms of posts and poetry. Reaching mid life and all its ups and down.
This week I wrote about always wanting more time.
https://thisgirlcanwrite.substack.com/p/the-greatest-gift-is-time?r=1zmcp1&utm_medium=ios
You write: Ultimately, it makes me sad that life moves so fast and I can never ever slow it down. - I can relate to that so well. Thank you for the story!
The body feels that longing for more time. So much. 💗
I posted a note with a haiku on a bit of an otherworldly blossom-snow wander in a cemetery famed for its annual cherry blossom in my home town. We are all part of a big circular economy. https://substack.com/@annamaija/note/c-255324108?r=33ghj7&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thanks for sharing that gorgeous photo and haiku, Anna
Thank you Victoria, and thanks for the restack as well 🩷
Love the haiku and that photo!
Thanks for your lovely comment ☺️
Such a beautiful picture. We have cherry trees planted along the river where I live. Every year I go and sit under them to be snowed on in petals. This year, it was so hot, all the blooms burned up right at bloom time. It made me sad.
That is sad, I feel for you. We have had a protracted, mostly cold spring in Scotland so everything has a preserved, slightly stuck feel but the blossom is incredible. (I could do with a tiny bit of heat at this point though!)
Beautiful photo and poem. New subscribe!
Thank you! My camera roll is bursting, everywhere you looked was more beautiful and more strange. Grateful to have you as a new subscriber, welcome ❤️
Hi all! My first time contributing here :) I write about books, finding myself through unconventional means (single mom at 19, lived abroad and traveled to over fifty countries with my kid), and healing (even though the terminology still makes me cringe, as you'll see in this piece). Happy reading! Grateful to now be a part of this community ♥️ https://natashasteer1.substack.com/p/all-the-natashas-ive-been-before?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=64x8a
i started a new chapter on my memoir. it’s surprising me. i love when that happens.
This week I wrote about outgrowing a room full of people you still care about. Not the big dramatic exit. The quiet kind where you're still showing up and you've already left. I write about publishing, writing, and the parts of this work nobody warns you about.
https://jocelynlindsay.substack.com/p/room-youve-already-left
As someone who has made all sorts of exits, what you wrote echos of the maturity of mid-life and clarity that I've felt detaching or moving on from all sorts of relationships in the past few years. Thank you for sharing!
Ooof. Just your description triggers something in me that's like a hard truth that must be looked at. Growing apart is pain and freedom. It's a lot for the sensitive heart to bear. xoxo
Writing this post felt like splitting myself open . . . but I wonder if this doesn't sometimes need to happen in order to begin to reframe ourselves in midlife? I hope you'll give this a read and let me know how it resonates. My most personal and raw post to date . . .
https://lifeticity.substack.com/p/i-never-wanted-to-write-this
Hi all, I write for those who believe their best life happens in midlife and beyond with positive, empowering perspectives on easily aging well from this 50+ life-embracing human. This week I wrote a fun, uplifting post about how you celebrate Mother's Day when you don't have any more mothers or grandmothers left and you're not one yourself "Mother's Day Without Mothers" https://melanierjordan.substack.com/p/mothers-day-without-mothers?r=304pj8
This week I wrote a poem about my experience with the passing of my grandmother and the grief I have been holding onto for the last 12 years.
I write about my faith, healing, and the grace that finds us in the middle of real life. Embracing "little me" and God's promises.
https://4littleu.substack.com/p/grief-keeps-time?r=6uk0gz&utm_medium=ios
Achingly beautiful-painful. I understand this kind of grief, Tabitha. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thank you Victoria… 🫶