We’re Halfway There!!

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It’s time for a new status report (see the infographic for an at-a-glance review); this one is significant because I am officially 49.

The 50-for-50 challenge I created is a deliberate exploration of intentional living and meaningful moments as I approach the milestone of turning 50.

And I already cheated, which is to say that I didn’t wait until 49 to start. What can I say? I’m a planner, so this is a midyear report with some built-in traction.

Looking back, I want to share a quick message for those of you who think you have time on your side: Fifty felt miles away for me, too, and it wasn’t that long ago that I couldn’t imagine it. Now, here we are, in the homestretch. It goes 1,000 times faster than anticipated.

So don’t wait. I mean it. Schedule coffee this week with someone you know who is 50, 50-something plus, or in the second half of 40 because they have Wisdom with a capital W. They know what you need next.

When I started this challenge, it was partly to get back to basics, focusing on personal growth, our family’s overall happiness and well-being, and growing my business. I also wanted to reestablish good habits (many of which were lost during the COVID years).

But Time Is So Funny

I worked at HBO for 13 years, in sports for five years, and took a two-year travel sabbatical. I have been coaching for six years, which accounts for 26 years of my professional time.

I’ve also been married for 16 years, a mom for nearly 12, a dog mom for 15, a homeowner for 21 years, and a student for 16 years. By the way, I’m a mom of three, so in terms of experience, I get credit for (11 x 2) + 9 = 31 years. Do you do the math that way?

I was all-in during those eras (to borrow a Taylor Swift reference). I felt like it was the be-all and end-all time of my life, so I alternated between being obsessed with it and wondering/planning for/fearing/unsuccessfully attempting to orchestrate my next chapter.

And now, I’m so much more chill. Thank goodness. Aging, in that regard, is wonderful (and enormously underrated). It balances the fact that I have more responsibility and financial obligations than ever (and the world is on the brink), which would otherwise…