Taking Chances and Starting Over at 53: What I Know for Sure

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you stop waiting for someone to choose you and start taking a chance on yourself? At 53, I’m learning that you can understand all the advice about healing, boundaries and self-worth, but living those lessons is something else entirely. You can know you deserve better and still spend years accepting less. You can love someone and still have to walk away. And you can be scared about what comes next while being absolutely excited to find out. This week on Life’s a Blog, I’m sharing what a year of healing after heartbreak has taught me about relationships, friendship, business and the way I spend my time. I’ve spent enough evenings waiting for a phone call, questioning where I stood or trying to understand why someone wasn’t choosing me. I don’t want to keep doing that. I want to build a life I’m happy to wake up to. And this week gave me a lot to be happy about. Within 24 hours, I attended Damenfest with a room full of women, potentially came face to face with someone connected to a painful chapter of my past, and learned that Living Local Magazine is getting its own space in downtown Galt, Cambridge. A place to work, create, connect with the community and share locally made products. Something I’ve wanted for a long time, and something I almost stopped looking for because someone told me I wouldn’t find it within my budget. Well, I found it. And I’m so excited. I’m talking about setting boundaries even when there could be a financial cost, recognizing the people who show up for you, and realizing that something that once would have ruined your day no longer has the same hold on you. There are still bills to pay and plenty of things to figure out. As I said this week, the money might not be aligning, but so much else feels like it is. Inspired by Beth Nielsen Chapman’s “Sand and Water,” I’m also reflecting on grief, how quickly time passes and what I want to do with the years ahead. I want time with my children and grandson. I want friendship, laughter, creativity and more evenings watching the sunset at my trailer. I want to give this magazine everything I’ve got and see where it can go. If you’re healing from a breakup, learning to stand up for yourself or wondering whether you’re too old to try something new, this episode is for you. There isn’t an expiration date on having dreams. I’m 53, and I have things I still want to do. What do you know for sure today that you didn’t know a year ago? Support the show Just a quick note! I’m not a therapist, counsellor, or mental health professional. I’m simply sharing my personal experiences, reflections, and the things I’ve learned while navigating my own healing journey. Everything discussed on this podcast comes from my perspective and is meant for conversation and storytelling purposes. It should not be taken as professional advice. If you’re struggling or working through something difficult, I always encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional. This podcast is intended for entertainment, reflection, and shared human experience.