Yes, I’m back at last! And I come bearing my fifth Midlife Interview! Hah! This silly season has been SUPER CRAZY and I’ve been running around like a wild woman attending all the Christmas functions and end-of-year events and also trying to get everything done so that I can be organised well before Christmas. How about you? Are you staying cool, calm and collected during the holidays so far? Do you need a little break from shopping to read something interesting on the internet? Well then here is a fun interview for you: 😉
Do you still hang out on Facebook? And if so, do you belong to any Facebook Groups? I wasn’t an active member of many Facebook Groups a few months ago, but I recently joined a few great ones and now I’m totally hooked. Groups are a fantastic place to learn about your niche or interests and I’ve met some lovely, friendly, and very helpful people over there – one of whom very kindly agreed to be part of my Midlife Interview series. How cool is that? The internet can be a wonderful place, can’t it?
Anyway, I’d like to introduce you to Danielle from Florida in the USA:
Hi Danielle! So how old are you?
43.
When did you start feeling ‘middle-aged’? Was it sudden or gradual? Or don’t you feel the part yet?
I guess when I turned 40. Everyone around me who had crossed that hurdle had said it’s all downhill from there, and literally within a week, I had new issues. Example: a few aches and pains.
Are you single/married/separated/divorced/widowed? (You can elaborate if you want to, eg. Married for 20 years/recently divorced or widowed etc.)
Divorced 3 years ago. I was married for 13 years to a narcissist. I reunited with my high school sweetheart January 2017, we married January 2018.
Do you have children? Do they still live at home? Have they moved out already?
I have 2. This December they will be 15 and 13 and yes, they live at home with me.
How do you feel about empty nesting? (Present or future. Is it something you’re dreading or welcoming?)
I’m looking forward to it now, only because they are going through the teenage years. I’d take the terrible 2’s back for sure. However, when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll be a wreck.
Do you work? Full-time/Part-time? Are you a SAHM? Retired?
I work a fulltime job.
Do you exercise regularly?
Uh, no.
If so, what do you do and how regularly do you exercise? If not, do you want to?
The hubs and I are always saying we should but no follow through. We really should, though.
Do you have any menopause symptoms?
I got hot flashes a few times, but they may have been a fluke. Not really experiencing anything significant.
Do you have any midlife ailments? eg. Failing eyesight, memory loss, hair loss/growth etc.
I just joked about this a week ago, but since I turned 43, I seemed to have issues walking. I’ve fallen a couple times. Really not an issue, just like tripping over stuff.
What is your top health tip? eg. Magnesium, aromatherapy oils, exercising, mindfulness, diet etc.
Related to my falls, get as much calcium as you can. I’m totally afraid I’ll break a bone.
What’s the best aspect of being middle-aged (in your opinion)? eg. Feeling more self-assured.
I guess I’m starting to feel like I really don’t care what others think. I really kinda didn’t before, but it’s more so. Example: I’m going grey. No more hair coloring.
What’s the worst aspect of being middle-aged (in your opinion)? eg. Loneliness and a loss of purpose. And what do you do to combat those aspects?
That my kids are growing up and I’m more susceptible to broken bones. My daughter started high school and my son is only 2 years younger than her. Before you know it, they’ll be at the house even less, doing things with their friends. Mom won’t be the hang out buddy. And of course, my recent loss of the ability to walk, cause I’ve turned into a klutz at 43. I’m paranoid one day it won’t be a simple sprain or bruising my butt, but something more serious.
Is travelling an important option in your midlife? Or are you more of a homebody?
I think traveling is somewhat of an option. The hubs just bought a motorcycle, so we’re definitely looking at some weekend trips. Where it goes from there, we’ll see.
Where is the best place/destination that you’ve visited?
Honestly, I haven’t traveled much, but I lived in northern Virginia and would say Washington DC is definitely a place to explore.
What is your most treasured leisure activity?
Right now, it’s the motorcycle riding. The hubs drives, I’m a passenger and it’s like escaping reality.
What is your best style/fashion tip for middle-agers?
Be yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot wear. I’m just now feeling comfortable with a casual style. I always felt pressured to be more put together or fancied up.
What is your best skin care product?
I don’t have one specific, but I highly recommend anything with SPF.
What is your best make-up product?
I don’t wear makeup.
What is your daily makeup routine?
None.
Surgical age-defying techniques or grow old naturally?
Naturally.
Go grey or dye your hair?
Go grey!!!
Do you have any book/movie/podcast recommendations about midlife?
Nope.
Do you have any regrets in life?
Not allowing myself to have girlfriends. Partially it wasn’t my fault. I was in a somewhat controlling marriage. But I should have never let that go on for so long. I think we need a tribe, doesn’t need to be big, but we should have other women there for support.
What advice would you give to other middle-aged women?
Don’t forget that it’s your life. Yes, we are there for our significant other, kids, family, but you should also be present in your life. Don’t lose yourself for the sake of others. Maintain yourself as in having a life of your own. I’m just now implementing that, and I feel like I’ve missed out on so much.
What is your main goal at the moment?
To survive parenting teens, all while getting my life, a life, for me. My hubs is really supportive in me finding out what I have a passion for, so I’m currently awakening myself.
Do you feel happy on your midlife journey so far? Or do you feel as if you’re going through a crisis?
So-so. I’m starting to enjoy this journey but also realizing how much of my previous life experiences were lacking, and trying to not feel guilty about my new adventures of living my life for me. It’s hard as a mom. I’m so used to living my life for the kids and not so much focused on myself.
What do you still want to achieve in life?
Be successful in something I truly love. I’ve just started blogging. I’ve always loved to write but never made a go of it. Now I’m taking the bull by the horns and putting myself out there to the world, and hopefully, I’ll make an impact in someone’s life.
Thank you so much for taking part, Danielle! It was so lovely to hear from you. You can go and visit Danielle’s fabulous blog over here: The Sublime Mom Life.
(And if you’d also like to participate in this interview series, please leave me a comment and I’ll send the interview questions to you. I’d love to hear about your midlife experience and I’m sure my readers will enjoy reading about how other women are coping with their midlife journeys.)
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Thanks so much for including me in your series!
Author
An absolute pleasure – thank you for taking part! It was lovely to read about your midlife experiences.