💬 Thursday Thread: What is something you're proud of accomplishing after midlife?
If not now, when?
As you saw earlier this week, I announced my upcoming book, Fired Up, which is all about how women can come alive at any age. And if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen an incredible clip of Jamie Lee Curtis talking about fulfilling her burning desires after she turned 60. Jamie asks, “If not now, when? If not me, who?”
The idea that women somehow stop being less relevant after age 40 is society’s way of trying to keep us small. But there are so many women out there accomplishing amazing things and fulfilling their desires at all ages.
Vera Wang didn’t start her fashion company until she was 40,
Julia Child wrote her first cookbook just before she turned 50,
Viola Davis didn’t have her first acting role until she was 43,
Martha Stewart became a household name when she was in her 40s,
Elizabeth Strout published her first novel at 42,
Ariana Huffington founded her media company in her mid-50s,
Leslie Jones joined the cast of SNL at the age of 46,
Wally Funk became the oldest woman to go to space at the age of 82,
Iris Apfel became a household fashion name in her 90s
👉 For today’s Thursday thread, here’s what I’d like to know:
What is something you’ve accomplished in midlife that you’d like to celebrate?
Welcome to the Thursday Threads, a weekly chance for us to connect with one another in the comments. Join me and other readers as we navigate important discussions. And a note: a difference of opinion is always okay, being unkind to one another is not. Let’s keep these conversations respectful.
My upcoming book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is now available for preorder! This book is my guide to figuring out what lights you up and will show you how to live on fire every day. Click here to preorder and get locked into some incredible bonuses.
Incredibly random, but when I asked my gym if they could add a morning spin class, the owner said "Why don't I add one and you teach it?" I got certified and taught spin and yoga until quite recently. (Unusual for me because I hate speaking in front of groups, but there was something about the music and the people that gave me courage.)
I love this topic, as I was out of the workforce (is that still a term?) for 10 years while raising my kids, then worked in non-profit for 15 years. I always felt a bit behind the 8-ball, although I don't regret my choices. With that said, I started writing my book in 2018 at 49, while still working, so it wasn't a full-time project. It was published in 2021, when I was 53, after having survived cancer. This year, I launched my business that teaches aspiring authors to write, publish, and promote stories that inspire through memoir. I'm 56.