A MID-YEAR REVIEW OF LIVING A MORE MINDFUL MIDLIFE

Mindfulness isn't all "zen" and meditative, it's more about looking within myself to know what really matters on a heart level.

MY WOTY FOR 2026

At the beginning of the year I chose "Mindful" as my inspiration for 2026, and it's been a really good reminder to be more intentional about what's happening in my life. When things slow down and there's not much happening, it can feel a little like I'm coasting along without all the excitement and plans I see others sharing on their social media feed. What am I doing? Why don't I want to be racing off on adventures? Am I content with where I'm at?

This is where being mindful starts to kick in....

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

We don't become happy souls or, alternatively, grumpy old people overnight, and we don't become wise and caring without putting in the work.

WHO DO WE WANT TO BE AS WE AGE?

I remember reading an article from John Mark Comer that discussed the idea that who we become in our old age is being determined by what we've focused our lives on in the lead-up. He says...

What you give your attention to is the person you become. Put another way: the mind is the portal to the soul, and what you fill your mind with will shape the trajectory of your character. In the end, your life is no more than the sum of what you gave your attention to.

We don't become happy souls or, alternatively, grumpy old people overnight, and we don't become wise and caring without putting in the work. Getting older can feel tricky at times when our body starts to slow a little, or lets us down occasionally. We can focus on what we're losing.... or we can turn our attention to all that we still have and enjoy the final third of our lives based on all the good that we've created and that's still to be found...

RETIRING ABROAD: 7 TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION

Retirement can feel like a fresh chapter, and an opportunity to live a life that you could only dream of when committed to a job. For some, this means considering a new life overseas.

INTRO

Today on the blog I have another interesting collaboration, this one is about the things to consider if you've ever thought of retiring overseas. I've had a few blogging friends who are ex-pats and their lifestyle choices have always fascinated me. It's such an adventure and I must admit to a tinge of envy when I read about what they're doing and the life they're living.

So, here's seven great little tips if you've ever thought that this might be something you'd like to do...

BECOMING MINDFUL OF MY SOCIAL CAPACITY AS I GET OLDER

Does our social capacity decrease as we age, or do we just become more true to ourselves and what fills our tank?

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER

I seem to keep revisiting the concept of social capacity as I get older. I feel like I used to be more of an extravert in my 20's, 30's, and 40's - at least I thought of myself as an extravert back then... but now I wonder if I was just good at putting on a social face and fitting in with whatever was happening. I liked to be busy, I liked having friends, and I liked being included in what was was planned. 

Now.... not so much....

7 STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR EYESIGHT

7 suggestions on keeping our eye health as optimal as possible as we age

INTRO

Today on the blog I have a bonus collaborative post that is full of helpful suggestions on keeping our eye health as optimal as possible as we age. I hope you enjoy it and find a few helpful tips to incorporate into your current habits.

SPENDING MY AUTUMN MINDFULLY

Here's what living Autumn with a generous mindset has meant for me.

WHAT DID MY AUTUMN TEACH ME?

I thought I'd do a little seasonal update on what living Mindfully looks like for me through the year ahead. This is my Autumn look back, and for a change I thought I'd share some of the buying and selling I decided to do - mindfully figuring out that it's okay to spend money on things that make me happy after all those years of working hard and saving for a rainy day...