Introducing VictoriaVictoria has always been an artist at heart. As a drama teacher and part-time sculptor, she never imagined that her creative passion would one day need to support her family. Life as an expat, moving between Johannesburg, Uganda, and Cape Town, taught her adaptability, but nothing prepared her for the financial and emotional upheaval when her husband lost his business during Covid. Suddenly, she had to rethink her role and find a way to turn her love for art into a sustainable income. She focussed on sculpture, built a name for herself, and later expanded into creative...

Becoming a granny was magical, but it also reminded me how much we limit ourselves with numbers. Imagine if the marathon and grannyhood had happened in the other order. Can you picture the headline? “Granny Runs the Berlin Marathon!” It sounds a bit outrageous! But also a reminder that it’s never too late to dream big or take on new challenges.Give yourself permissionHow often do we wait for someone else to tell us it’s okay to step out of the box? To follow our hearts? This year, I learned that the only permission we need is the one we give ourselves. Starting off this year in a home...

With a son in matric and enrolled for university the following year, a daughter preparing for her wedding, and a home loan still to pay off, Brandon felt like he was stuck on an emotional roller coaster. He was faced with the reality of having no formal credentials and slim prospects of finding another job at his previous salary level. But instead of letting fear take over, Brandon turned this curveball into an opportunity—choosing to start his own business and face the challenges of self-employment in midlife.Navigating retrenchmentBrandon’s first reaction when he heard of his retrenchment...

Nicola had to redefine herself, not just as a mother but as a professional. With so much uncertainty, she tapped into her wisdom, leaned into her passions, and found a way to navigate these life transitions to emerge stronger with a new sense of purpose in her life and work.Navigating Personal and Family TransitionsThe move from Johannesburg to the Midlands was a major shift for Nicola and her family. With her husband commuting and two of their three children in boarding school, her role as a full-time mother and wife was suddenly very different. “It was a dark time, as family...

Midlife is perhaps the most misunderstood phase of life, often overshadowed by outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. But this phase really holds the biggest potential for growth, fulfilment, and a new beginning.Introducing My Latest eBookI am so happy to share my latest eBook, 10 Midlife Myths & the Truths Behind Them, with you. This eBook is more than just a guide – it’s an invitation to see midlife as a period of reinvention, recalibration, and immense possibility.Reflecting on my midlife journeyI’ve always believed in the mantra, ‘If you leave your life to chance, you will...

The Unexpected ShiftMagnus always knew he never wanted to retire in the traditional sense – to him, retirement was an outdated concept. His planning revolved around extending his work life to keep contributing to meaningful outcomes, engaging with people, and continuing to learn and grow. But, when Magnus’s planned retirement date was unexpectedly brought forward, the transition from a full-time executive role to ‘retirement’ was more challenging than he had ever anticipated.From Theory to RealityAlthough Magnus had ideas for his post-corporate life, they weren’t formulated into specific...

Midlife is a time of significant transition. We stand at a crossroads, reflecting on our paths and contemplating the roads that lie ahead. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of changes happening all at once – career shifts, children leaving home, ageing parents, changes in our relationships, the possibility of retirement or a second career, physical changes and health concerns. And it’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of how to proceed when everything seems to change all at once – rarely do we experience only one of these transitions at a time.Frank Sinatra’s timeless lyrics in “I...

I recently returned from Chip Conley’s Learning to Love Midlife workshop at the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) in Baja. I joined a diverse group from across America and Canada, ages 33 to 70. Starting out, we discovered a midlife myth that we all shared based on this question: What percentage of your adult life is still ahead of you? How would you answer? The point is, once you dispel one Myth, a whole set of Truths opens up to you.Here are the top 3 Midlife Myths and Truths I discovered at MEA:Midlife Myth #1: You are not oldThe fact is, we are living longer. Realising that you might live to...

Gabriella inherited a substantial sum from her husband. They shared a beautiful and deep connection, and his death turned her entire world upside down. As a young widow, apart from navigating the overwhelming loss of her life partner, the sudden windfall left her feeling guilty, overwhelmed, and daunted by the responsibility of these funds.How does one honour a legacy with grace and wisdom? How do you navigate this profound life transition that suddenly feels strange, unfamiliar and filled with new challenges?Introducing GabriellaThe past few years have been profoundly challenging for...

Kathleen is at a crossroads: after a lifetime in a job that did not fulfil her, all while putting her life on hold to focus on saving and investing, she overlooked the joy of living in the present moment. Looking for safety and security, she moved overseas, only to be overwhelmed by the isolation and a profound lack of belonging.Kathleen shares a poignant story that challenges us to reassess our deeply held beliefs and the chapters we fill our lives with.Kathleen’s storyAlthough a creative person with a love for animals, Kathleen pursued a corporate career and spent most of her...