I remember thinking of my Mum as ‘middle-aged’ from around 36. My Dad died when she was 40 and I was fuming that she dared to remarry 3 years later at the ripe old age of 43.

Now I’m 45 and face my daughter’s daily reminders that I am in fact “the second oldest Mum in the class”. I feel firmly in ‘midlife’ and it can feel confronting.

As a time of transition, there will inevitably be losses and gains.

The media narrative is rarely on the latter and we’ve been programmed to focus on the former. And when we cling onto things with our fingertips and mourn the changes, it’s not the most empowering place to be.

I don’t think it has to be like that.

When I see through the panic, I am in the best place I’ve ever been.

I’ve dealt with a lot of the emotional baggage that I’ve been dragging around for decades and I have a deep sense of self-belief.

I’m happy in a very different way. I just feel satisfied at where I am.

Professionally I feel as though I’ve only just got started and the previous 24 years of work were really only preparing me for now.

I have big plans, big goals and I feel genuinely excited that I can affect all of this in different ways.

On wobbly days I feel regretful that I wasn’t in this place 10 years ago. Most days I know I wouldn’t be here at all, if those years hadn’t happened as they did.

I’m genuinely excited for the next phase of me and of The Wild Ones.

Watch this Midlife-loving space for more ✨