Why Small Steps, Big Joy?
As I approached 50, I felt stuck. Stuck in a career that kept me tied to a desk, trapped in the firehose spray of endless initiatives with no reward in sight. I knew there must be more to life.
Taking a big (scary) leap into the unknown, I learned how to build this website, got certified in digital marketing, and started digging into my creative pursuits. What I learned, though, was more than a set of new skills.
In the process of reinventing my career, I learned about my penchant for perfectionism. I explored areas of my personality and experiences that I had avoided, including insecurity, lack of focus, and resistance. Is this what they mean by “midlife crisis?”
Was I imagining other people’s expectations? How much could I, myself, change with a change in mindset?
The middle years are the ideal time to define your values and envision the life you want. Age brings the benefit of knowing what you don’t want to do anymore. NOW is the perfect time to cut away what you no longer want in your life, and invite what you do want.
This blog opens up the discussion about what it means to reinvent yourself in midlife.
You’ll find:
Mindfulness-based exercises
Reflections on what it means to reach the middle years of life
Plus, useful resources to expand your creativity
And, over time, a supportive community exploring what it means to be over 40 at this point in time.
Curious About Mindful Practices for Midlife?
What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness is best described as awareness. Meditation is an act that can bring greater awareness, but it requires a quiet environment where you can sit for long time periods. Mindfulness practices can be done anywhere and are relatively easy to integrate into your day.
The practices on this website incorporate active practices such as meditative walking or mindful eating, which will help you find a state of deeper awareness and appreciation for your everyday life.
Mindfulness, in the context of this website, means any activity you do that brings greater awareness to being in your body in the present moment.
I don’t have a lot of extra time. Will I be able to do the practices on this site?
The beauty of mindful practices is that you can do them during the day, in the presence of other people, without others even knowing! You can also carve out 5 to 10 minutes for consciously doing mindful activities.
I’m great at starting but not great at sticking with new habits. How do I stay motivated?
Let a friend or family member know that you’re trying out some mindful techniques to build more presence into your day. Just by telling someone else, you’ll imprint in your mind that you’re starting a new habit.
Do you already have a journal? Write your intentions down every evening, if that’s a good time to debrief with yourself. When you explore how you feel about some of the practices, you’ll feel more invested in your experiences.
New to journaling? The Small Steps, Big Joy blog will help! I’ll be adding journal resources to the Resources page as well.
What resources do I need? Is there anything I should buy?
This is entirely up to you. I find that having a few tools or beloved items can help with some of the practices. For example, art supplies, a soft blanket, a yoga bolster (pillow), a special stone, a handmade wooden cup, etc. This is very personal and will evolve.
I put together a few resources that I enjoy using. I encourage you to use these ideas as a starting point for your personal practice.
