5 Ways to Sparkle in the New Year

Welcome to my weekly blog about life, work, and adventure at 40 & 50+, and the lessons learned along the way. (Scroll down to read the blog.)?

If this is your first time reading this blog, welcome. As the former co-founder of a pro-age women’s community, recognized Influencer in Aging by Next Avenue magazine, and Facebook Community Accelerator alum, I launched this blog to share personal insights gathered from my journey through middlescence to encourage us to be a little more empathetic and curious about people of all ages. You never know what someone else is going through unless you care enough to ask. Start asking.

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Dear Middlescent,

As 2022 draws to an end, I invite you to pause and reflect on the year behind you. Each year gifts you 365 days. What incredible things did you accomplish? What blessings did you infer from life’s unplanned events? How did you create positive impact in the lives of others?

Oftentimes, we get bogged down by life’s every day demands, that we forget to celebrate all the little and big milestones we’ve accomplished. We forget to reflect and honor the richness of the life we’ve lived that has brought us to this moment. To acknowledge all the things that you made happen or that happened for you. To recognize all the ways, you’ve grown over the past 365 days.

As I sit, pause, and reflect, I’m grateful for the many experiences, accomplishments, and lessons of this year. I had my fair share of Kodak moments, unpredictable messy explosions, painful truths, and God-inspired reveals. And most of the time, these beautiful experiences rarely made sense in the headlights. But, that’s the beauty of life. In the end, all intertwine to pen another chapter in your life's story.

You have lived another amazing year. No matter how many challenging moments you’ve navigated. No matter how many tears of joyful laughter you've shed. It’s all been yours and it has brought you here…to this moment.

Breathe. Take it in.

As we usher in the new year, here are five ways you can invite more positivity, happiness, and gratitude into your life next year.

1. Age with gusto. Age is your superpower. You are not “too old” to do anything, and next year is the year to remind yourself and others what’s possible at 40 & 50+.
2. Be curious. Look to the new year with insatiable curiosity. Revel in the knowing that your acquired life lessons and experiences provide a unique lens to appreciate your discoveries. ?
3. Practice random acts of kindness. In middlescence, we are blessed with a renewed sense of appreciation for life, and the little things that make it special. Share that gift with people of all ages.
4. Commit to life-long learning. At 40 & 50+, you’ve accomplished so much already, but you still have a long runway ahead. Now is not the time to slam on the brakes, instead step on the gas.
5. Make time to celebrate. Accomplishing something you set out to do is a big deal. If we can celebrate our family, colleagues, and friends, surely, we can celebrate ourselves too!

And just like that, we say goodbye to this year and welcome in a new beginning. Create the life you want in the new year. Enter the year ahead with gratitude, intention, and an immense amount of self-love. You deserve it.

It’s a new year. A new opportunity. A new reason to celebrate your awesomeness. Wishing you many blessings.

Happy New Year!