Villain = Evil, wicked person. Within this popular term or saying, “I’m in my villain-era”, I’m not for one second buying the evil part, but the wicked part is in fact wickedly delectable to me. Not (no longer) giving a damn about what anybody else thinks, being the bigger person, or taking the high road isn’t about you now doing wrong to others who wronged you (well, not always), but about taking back your power to choose. It’s not about resetting your personality to be stuck on cruel, but to finally be selfish—in the most positive sense of the word. It’s a return to yourself. Disclaimer: Also, never be the…
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How to Turn Midlife Milestones into Lasting Happiness
When my daughter turned 18, it reminded me of something simple but easy to forget: big birthdays are automatic milestones. They come with balloons, dinners, photos, and all the “you’re grown now, woohoo” speeches. There are umpteen scripts for turning 13 through 25 — the OG markers of independence, responsibility, and new beginnings. But guess what: milestones don’t just belong to the kiddos. Sure, we still celebrate those over 30 birthdays with or without parties with 40-deep friends, or sheet cakes full of candles; but it’s a combo of ‘yeah, you’ve made it another year and we love you’ — yet, unless we actively choose it, we don’t tie it…
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Why Birthday Milestones Aren’t Ends But New Paths Ahead
Last week, my baby girl turned 18. Like her sister, she’s always been one of the youngest in their friend groups, so her ‘finally turning 18’ was a big deal for her—in more ways than one. And while I was right there with her, mostly, it took a little wind out of my seeing my forever baby girl officially become an adult. Ish. Just thinking about turning eighteen is that moment many of us imagine long before it comes. Imagining what this vision of “adult life” is supposed to look like for us, from the TV shows, movies and books we consumed. Well, that’s how I did it, anyway. Of…
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Are You Aligned With Your “Big Age” Life?
“Big Age” is a funny term I heard from many sources, definitely not one I made up myself, but I’ll definitely keep using. But people throw it around as if it’s a milestone you suddenly wake up to. Like, congratulations, you’ve hit an age—a Big Age—where society expects you to have it all figured out. Career, relationships, money, personal growth—the whole checklist. And yet, here you are, still figuring things out, still wondering if you’re aligned with the life you’re living, especially in this second chapter of ours. Most of us still are, and don’t panic, that’s really not a bad thing. Being in your “Big Age” isn’t about having…
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The Truth About “Catching Up”
And Why I Quit Trying. I used to foolishly believe that if I could just clear my to-do list, I’d finally feel caught up. But I was only clearing it up to make space for the next stack of to-dos, and the next and the next. Another work email to answer, another post to write, another idea I swore I’d get to once “things slowed down.” The older I get, the bigger the backlog seems to fill up, in all things. Half-written blog drafts. Unread books. Old voice memos with “brilliant ideas” I’d never started. And the work and family stuff is too mammoth to even mention. The lists, plural,…
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Will You Still Love Your Passion Project in 5 Years?
Open your closet, wardrobe, clothing racks, or wherever you store your clothes, and take a good look. I mean really look closely. Out of all that’s hanging, folded, stuffed, or shoved in somewhere, and don’t forget what’s been left to fry in the dryer, how many do you actually wear? Not stare at, slide past to find that specific top, but put on and go out in? I’m betting that for most of us, the number is probably smaller than you think or want to admit. Maybe 10%, or 20% if you’re really lucky and diligent about changing up your look. Not to mention if you work from home, have a uniform,…
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Empty Nester, Full Heart: How to Make This Chapter Yours
And may include bigger closets! My youngest is off to college, so my nest is officially… empty-ish. I’m not sad about “no longer being a mom” as that job is forever mine. And I’m definitely not in the “phew, I’m done, go solve your own damn problems, kiddos” camp either. It’s more like a shift: a new season of cheering on my mini-adults… while remembering to show up for myself, too. Now I 2,000% will be threatening (lovingly) to turn their bedrooms into my extended closets. Their trophies and school knickknacks can stay, but only as quirky and cool dividers between my shoes and boots. Thanks for the suggestion, S’MAC’! You…
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We’re Gen X and We’re Not New–We’re Just ‘AI Social’ New
Not too late either. Just starting from experience. We were here before Google. Before TikTok, Instagram, all the ‘GPTs,’ and every one of those terrifying “Just wait for it…” jump-scare Reels. We made the wickedest, flyest mixtapes. Ensuring the room was more silent than a baby gnat’s fart while holding down the clunky play + record buttons simultaneously, then easing off the pause with ninja-like precision. Today’s young’uns can’t imagine that kind of timing or level of dedication. From Mixtapes to Memes: Digital Life and AI Lingo After 40. Amazingly, we survived the plethora of disks. Floppy, hard, and CD. And no one could tell us that a strategic blow…
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Done Is Better Than Dreamed: A Real Way to Begin
Why Starting Still Feels So Damn Hard (Even When You’re Ready) You’re on your treadmill, or out on a walk, wrapping up watching the 9th video when you swore video #8 was *the one*. Then video #10 pops up, making you doubt everything all over again. Fast forward to after your shower and a meal that still doesn’t have enough protein to sustain your Big Age, and now you’re umpteen videos deep. Yet, somehow, you’re more confused than when you started, and mad enough to contemplate letting your idea, ‘your thing’, pass you by – again, wondering if it’s just you. Procrastination Station Welcome to OVER-DOING-TOO-MUCH. Well, that’s what I’ve…
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The Truth About Bad Titles and Your SEO Score
Got a problem being succinct? Love a melodic, lyrically infused blog title? Or a mysteriously clever promo header? I know I do. Well, guess what? SEO doesn’t love it as much. BOO! I know, I know. “Hands up, ‘Chatty Cathys’” Another thing to admit: I have a teeny-weeny tendency to… waffle on. I’ve been told this affliction is a bit more common in those of us over 40. Rude, but probably true. We (I) have a lot to say, learn, and share. And while that can work, to a point in your main blog content, it’s an absolute SEO killer, and leaves all your juicy content floating-in-the-wind-dot-com. Completely unnoticed. And…
