What You’ll Learn from this Podcast Episode about Empty Nest in Midlife: Common anxious thoughts that plague empty nesters in midlife. My personal “Life Lessons from Mom” list that I run through before a kid leaves for college. The difference between thoughts and facts and why you must understand this distinction. How to manage...
Continue readingWhy my layoff was the best surprise ever!
When I received a layoff notice five years ago this week, it was an unwelcome surprise. I was minding my own business, deep in thought at work when I got the knock at my door. I was told, “I need you for a meeting.” Even though I was caught off guard, I knew instantly...
Continue readingWhy you should do something scary
We spend most of our lives trying to feel better, be more comfortable and avoid scary things. Most of us don’t go out of our way to do something that creates fear. Wouldn’t you agree? The older we get and more control we have over our lives, the more this seems to be so....
Continue readingCan you teach an old dog new tricks? Midlife and learning new things
We are older and we have a young dog. When my husband signed us up for a two-day carting workshop (my dog, Niko the Landseer Newfoundland, my husband and me), I was hesitant. I didn’t see why my dog would embrace the strange skill of actually pulling a large cart. I thought things like:...
Continue readingThe long-term job—a blessing and a curse
Who knew that my long-term job could be both a blessing and a curse? I never even imagined I would be the type to have a long-term job. Seriously. It didn’t seem like something that would have my name on it. I landed my first professional job in 1989. I remember it well. I...
Continue readingMidlife on the farm
What do a couple of hair stylists, beautiful farmland and amazing animals have in common? The answer may surprise you. I had the pleasure of going to a B and B this weekend, in rural Ontario. It’s funny…the reason I was there with a girlfriend wasn’t because we had a great idea to get...
Continue readingUniversity and kids: Is the glass half empty or half full when they leave the nest?
I remember the day I left for university like it was yesterday. I was so excited to start the next phase of my life in university. I wasn’t thinking at all about my mom’s empty nest. I was a fresh 18 years old and was off to West Chester University in Pennsylvania. I couldn’t...
Continue readingWhen we don’t do what we really, really want to do
It’s hard to admit that sometimes we don’t do what we really, really want to do. Sometimes we think we know why. Sometimes we have no clue. Sometimes we aren’t connected to our thoughts or feelings at all, and answers seem so far away. Sometimes, however, it’s clear. It’s fear. Plain ol’ sick to...
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