Midlife Musings October 2024
Life Lately, More Mishaps, New Releases, Video
Happy October and welcome to my cozy corner on Substack!
I’m thrilled to be back inside your inbox. As mentioned in this welcome post, monthly I’ll share midlife inspiration through this newsletter.
And, starting tomorrow, you’ll also be receiving weekly releases of Tranquility du Jour Season 2 podcasts on all things midlife. Hear stories of growth, reinvention, and wisdom. Prepare to feel inspired and seen!
Wondering who’s midlife? Read more here. In short, I view it as 35+. All are welcome, of course!
Inside this month’s edition, you’ll find:
the regular peek into life lately
more midlife mishaps
scoop on the 10-piece Paris Capsule, podcast Season 2, La Vie Parisienne digital course
And now, let’s continue into our eighth edition of Midlife Musings, love. I’m so happy you’re here!
Clicking the heart at the top or bottom of this email makes it easier for others to find Midlife Musings. 💗 Oh, and it also warms my heart!
PS I hope you enjoyed your previous Midlife Musings editions (March & April & May & June & July & August & September) and have had a chance to peruse additional posts waiting for you here, too.
Life Lately: A Peek Inside
Please join me in taking a pause to consider your own life lately: highlights, observations, and challenges.
What I’m working on:
La Vie Parisienne digital course (waitlist here)
Season 2 of the Tranquility du Jour podcast releasing on Monday
Capsule wardrobe workbook
What I’m loving:
Seeing the mention of midlife everywhere
Interviewing many lovely ladies for Season 2 of the podcast
The smell and warmth of a roaring fire
What I’m consuming:
Notes from a 4-day ACT conference
Oh-so-yummy veg cassoulet (recipe coming to paid subscribers)
Reading Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr. Julie Smith
What I’m wearing:
Legwarmers
Ankle and tall boots
Layers: two tops with a scarf, pants sometimes topped with a dress or skirt for added warmth
What I’m noticing:
A neglected body that has three more weeks of post-surgery rest to go
The delight of a daily morning soak in Epsom salts
Orange, yellow, and red leaves
Your turn. What are you working on, loving, consuming, wearing, and noticing?
Midlife Mishaps
A peek into a few of midlife’s recent “moments.”
Midlife can be a funny, humbling journey. Since embracing the label of “midlife," I've observed a series of mishaps. Anyone relate? Here’s the latest . . .
While in Paris for a recent writing retreat, I had many moments that left me shaking my head. First, I said “muchas gracias” to my Uber driver as he dropped me at my destination. Yes, he was French. Although confusing Spanish and French isn’t unique to me (anyone else panic and speak with another foreign language you know?!), I blame jet lag.
A few days followed without too many flubs beyond a server not speaking English (they are in France after all) and definitely not understanding my pronunciation of un thé vert à la menthe, s'il vous plaît. My six months of Duolingo wasn’t helping. Thank goodness a bilingual customer hopped in to save the day and I went on my merry way with my hands wrapped around a hot cup of green tea with mint.
On Sunday evening I waited outside the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz for 30 minutes with two friends in tow, Isabella and Molly. We arrived before it opened to ensure a spot inside since the destination spot only holds 25ish people.
The gracious blond server with a British accent took our cocktail orders and delivered them with an attached rose and tiny dishes of plump green olives and roasted mixed nuts (shown below). We’d been putting the pits into the empty dish and, at some point, I plopped one onto my coaster. Why? I have no idea.
When the server stopped by with a fresh dish of olives, she told me that I could put the “stones” in the empty dish. I nodded, smiled, sipped my cocktail, and promptly set another pit onto my coaster. My friends asked if I’d heard her. I hadn’t really. We had a good laugh. Clearly her beautiful English, my cocktail, and the use of “stone” befuddled me. Who nods and does what they’ve just been told not to do?!
At our last dinner in Paris, the handsome French server at a fancy resto stopped by to confirm that I’d also ordered a vegetable lasagna. I turned to him, smiled, and said “Parlez-vous Anglais?” And then I realized he was speaking English!
I told Isabella and Molly, who’d experienced my former faux pas, and we all shook our heads. Molly offered to get me Duolingo.
“Oh, I’m already doing it. Six months now!”
“No, I’ll get you the paid version,” she offered.
“I am doing the paid version!”
Again, we shook our heads, laughed, and I shrugged. I had no explanation.
This takes me to this past week at the endodontist’s office. I go through the X-rays, a consultation, and discover I need a root canal. As I’m checking out, I hand my credit card to the receptionist while texting with my partner, Tim. I’m asking him to send me photos of my planner. As a paper planner girl, I can’t make appointments without it and I’d decided to travel light that day. At some point she hands me back the card and, after a few more texts with Tim, I find a date that works for me and the doctor.
Then I ask, “Don’t I need to pay?”
“You already did, dear.”
“Oh, of course,” I reply to try to save face vaguely remembering the credit card exchange before I got engrossed texting with Tim to find a surgery date.
Then I turn and open the door to enter the treatment area instead of the exit.
“Unless you want to see the doctor again, you’ll want to go out that door,” the receptionist said as she pointed to the big bright red exit sign.
I scuttled out the door a bit embarrassed and confused. What had just happened?!
As we know, brain fog in midlife is a common yet often frustrating experience, where mental clarity may feel just out of reach. As hormones shift and life’s responsibilities build, it’s natural for us to feel a bit scattered or forgetful.
Rather than judging ourselves, what if we approached these moments with gentleness and self-compassion (and a good laugh)? I’m trying to use mindfulness practices, nourishing foods, and restful pauses to help ease the haze. What about you?
xo,
the befuddled one
NEW: Podcast Season 2
I'm thrilled to announce that Season 2 of the Tranquility du Jour Podcast is launching on Monday, October 21!
As we celebrate our 19th year, we're unveiling a fresh new look, a captivating theme, and an infusion of inspiring energy.
This season, we’re diving deep into conversations with extraordinary women in midlife, sharing their stories of growth, reinvention, and wisdom. Prepare to feel inspired, empowered, and seen.
Available in all your favorite podcast apps.
NEW: Eco-Fashion Capsule
As the air chills, join me in the art of layering. I like to start with a soft, fitted base, then add cozy layers such as a flowing wrap tunic, oversized scarf, and tall boots.
Creating the 10-piece Paris Capsule Collection is a love letter to elegance inspired by chic and effortless Parisian style. Each piece has been designed to mix and match, offer versatility, and serve as a touch of sophistication for every occasion.
May these pieces inspire you to embrace joie de vivre and make getting dressed a nourishing ritual.
NEW: La Vie Parisienne Digital Course
Dreaming of infusing a bit of joie de vivre into your everyday life? I'm delighted to share La Vie Parisienne—a new digital course designed to transport you to the heart of Paris. No passport required and releasing soon!
From the art of effortless style to decorating small spaces, shopping farmers’ markets, and infusing pleasure, this course is all about living with elegance and simplicity.
Through bite-sized lessons, you’ll discover how to bring the beauty, culture, and sophistication of Paris into your life. Join me in this journey to live, explore, and savor by bringing a little bit of Paris to wherever you are!
Latest Tea with Kimberly Video
In this episode of Tea with Kimberly, I share how to show up, take the stage, and do the thing in midlife.
Steps: 1. Start Small 2. Plant Seeds 3. Water Them 4. Practice 5. Visualization 6. Get Coaching 7. Affirmations 8. Schedule
Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and be inspired to fully take the stage in your own life.
You’ll find more Tea with Kimberly videos over on the Tranquility du Jour YouTube channel including recent ones on exploring seasonal tranquility and a peek into my recent reads.
How I Can Support You
Join yearlong Tranquility Coterie (doors open late December)
About Me
Hello! I'm a psychotherapist in Washington, DC, author of seven lifestyle books (next one on midlife), and host of the Tranquility Coterie. I’m in love with my 50s, ballet, pigs, pugs, and orangutans (random mix, I know!). I support women in finding more balance, beauty, and tranquility during this second half of life. More on my website and on Instagram.
A portion of all offerings support Pigs & Pugs Project, Borneo Orangutan Survival, and 1% for the Planet.