midlifejourney.com

To all midlife women: Are you thinking the best part of your life is over? Think again. Beverly Scott shares a better idea in this enlightening article for Women Over 50!

The Third Act for Women Over 50: Preparing for Joy and Fulfillment in Midlife

Author: Beverly Scott

We are the first generation of women who have had careers for most of our lives. We are entering a period of life that is virtually uncharted, a time in which we are free from social expectations and reduced family obligations, with the freedom, resources and desire to engage in new activities with meaning and purpose. It is not news that we will live longer and with generally better health than previous generations. Science and medical advances have extended our years. This will give us the opportunity to turn our dreams into realities, to consider options previously considered impractical, and prioritize how we want to spend our time. Now, it’s up to us to decide how to plan for our continued vitality. Most of us are uncertain about what we want from the next 20, 30 or even 40 years ahead of us. Although we may be clear that we don’t expect to follow in the steps of our parents and grandparents and retire, few of us have maps for how we want to proceed. Many of us in our middle years share in conversations with friends comments like the following: Continue Reading »

Editor: Pat Mullaly

I am one of those people who likes to dabble a bit in all kinds of odd cosmic directions. The direction depends on my mood. One day it could be Tarot cards, another, Feng Shui, and, as today, astrology. I stumbled across a couple of websites that pretend to portend the future. It’s a hoot to read the predictions. Sometimes, however, they do actually reflect the happenings of the day, or my mood, or suprisingly, the future. And in this case, I am intrigued rather than amused. A good friend, Christine  Phoenix Green who has written articles on “Spirit” for this blog, is developing a progressed astrological chart for me, i.e. the chart indicates where the cosmic energy is for me in my astrological picture – and where potential strengths and weaknesses lie in the coming year. She should have it ready for me by next week. Chris has been doing this work for years and is available for consultation. (See note at the end of this article.)

Once I have the chart in hand, this knowledge should help me develop a strategy for my current circumstance that will assist in making the most of any situation. The down side is knowing so much about the possibilities makes me responsible for taking action… which might in itself be a burden. But I prefer to know.

NOTE: Christine Phoenix-Green is an Intuitive Guidance Counselor and astrologer. Her email address is: cphoenixrising@earthlink.net

Editor: Pat Mullaly

I am always looking for the wild idea, the courageous midlifer who is ready to just do it! Let go of all those presuppositions and take the leap. I wish I was one of those… some of my friends think I am. But following is a real life story I discovered recently about a couple of people who took life by the “whatevers” and followed their bliss. Read on and enjoy!

How Traveling Around the Country in a Bus for a Year Taught 2 Shrinks not to Settle in Life

Author: Doreen Orion

When my husband Tim announced he wanted to “chuck it all” and travel around the country in a converted bus for a year, I gave this profound and potentially life-altering notion all the thoughtful consideration it deserved.

“Why can’t you be like a normal husband with a midlife crisis and have an affair or buy a Corvette?” I demanded, adding, “I will never, ever, EVER, not in a million years, live on a bus.”

We’re both psychiatrists, but he’s obviously the better shrink, for we soon set forth with our two querulous cats, sixty-pound dog – and no agenda – in a 340-square-foot bus.

How Traveling & Seeing The World Was Truly a Life-Changing Experience

1. We learned how not to put off our dreams.
2. We discovered the importance of living now.
3. We grew to understand we had to pare down our lifestyle, so that we could spend more time with the people we love – instead of the things we love.
4. We recognized how comfortable – too comfortable – our lives had become. Many of us work so hard year after year. Then, one day, we wake up and wonder, “Is this all there is?” We hadn’t realized the importance of continuing to challenge and stretch ourselves.

Yes, we had our share of disasters on the trip including: Continue Reading »

Author: Jennifer T. Grainger

Did you know that today’s midlife women (ages 40 to 65) are the first generation of women to be culturally free to transition into their Second Adulthood?

Did you know that the midlife transition often includes:

- being dissatisfied with your life, your career, and your important relationships that have provided fulfillment for a long time.

- feeling anxious or restless and wanting to do something completely different, but not really knowing what it is.

- feeling confusion about who you are really, or where your life is going.

Most of our mothers and grandmothers never had a chance to blossom into their Authentic Selves. Trained from childhood to be subservient, and being financially dependent in a patriarchal society, they were expected to fade into the background, their main value being unpaid babysitters and community volunteers. Instead of fading some had “nervous breakdowns.”

The Current Generation of Baby Bloomer Women Are Simply Not Going To Stand For It! Continue Reading »