The Blue Zone Controversy: Does It Matter if the Science is Wrong?
The Skepticism Behind Blue Zone Map Hotspots When Karen McCann was in her late 60s, she was faced with an undeniable fact: She was no longer middle-aged. She and her husband Rich decided to set off on a five-month trip around the Mediterranean rim to learn how to age well. McCann, who is now 73, […]
Invisible After 60: The Moment My Doctor Made Me Feel Irrelevant
I asked my new, 40-something female physician (a specialist) about the risks versus the benefits of an increased dose of a medication. We had mostly concluded the annual visit, and as the doctor stood up to leave, she said at my age (63), if the medication made me feel better, use it. She cited no […]
Reflections on Personal Growth and Oh Sh*t Moments
Let’s face it: New Year’s resolutions are as make-believe as Santa Claus. Good intentions? Sure. But mostly, they’re recycled promises from Christmas past, scribbled in haste as the new year ushers us in. They’re the equivalent of saying, “I’ll just have one more glass of eggnog”—well-meaning but completely unrealistic. We love to share them, talk […]
Brain Rot: Word of the Year or Scrolling Yourself Stupid?
How long have you been scrolling before landing here? Have you been ignoring family members and avoiding the dishes in the sink while slumping in comfy sweats, praying your phone battery survives just one more TikTok? If your right thumb has a cramp from relentless scrolling, or you clicked “What happens when you eat kimchi […]
Why Are Boomer Moms So Damn Anxious?
Boomer Women, We Need to Talk What’s with all the panic texts and doom scrolling? Aren’t we the same generation that marched for Women’s Lib and hurled mops, high heels, and bras into a freedom trash can? So why are we now clutching our pearls like everything’s falling apart? Let’s break this down because your […]
What Do Wordle and Winnie the Pooh Have in Common?
The Simple, the Universal, and the Human Need for Meaning Why do we gravitate toward the simple when life feels overwhelmingly complex? Perhaps it’s because the simple reminds us of what’s essential. Take Winnie the Pooh and Wordle—two cultural phenomena that, at first glance, couldn’t be more different. One is a storybook bear navigating honey […]
Decluttering: Was Marie Kondo Just Messing With Us?
As I stare at my overflowing stacks of Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, I can almost hear Marie Kondo gently whispering, “Does this bring you joy?” Home décor is my obsession. Appreciating stunning interior design and maintaining my home like it’s my job? Yes, please. Minimalism? Not so much. I can’t resist a good flea […]
Is Retirement the End or the Beginning? The Ecstasy and Angst
Preface: There’s a lot to unpack about redefining retirement and I know you’ve got important experiences and insights to share. This is the first piece in a series on this topic. Consider this post an introduction to the psychological groundwork—we’ll dig deeper into the practical and tactical over the coming months. ********** Consider this: 10,000 […]
Are You a Nap Taker or a Nap Shamer?
Society has brainwashed us into thinking that napping is a sign of weakness, especially for women who are supposed to be invincible, tirelessly juggling work, family, and every other damn thing on our plates. From day one, we’re fed this myth that the road to success is paved with sleepless nights and perpetual burnout. And […]
Is Catastrophizing a Mental State or a Secret Power Move?
Why Catastrophizing Feels Like a Superpower There’s something irresistibly powerful about predicting disaster, isn’t there? While the optimists dream of puffy clouds and sunny days, the “realists” are preparing for the metaphorical asteroid on its way to destroy our lives. I am a catastrophizer; the older I get, the more vivid the catastrophizing. I think […]
