Happy Summer Solstice and thank you for joining my cozy corner over here on Substack. I hope you enjoyed your early editions of Midlife Musings (March & April & May) and have had a chance to peruse additional posts waiting for you here, too.
I’m delighted to be back in your inbox again with June’s newsletter. As mentioned in this introduction post, I’ll share an assortment of midlife inspiration through this monthly experience. Wondering who’s midlife? Read more here!
Inside this month’s edition, you’ll find life lately, ideas on doing a mid-year review, insights into my motto “live pink, wear noir,” new statement tees and bags, and tips to help you stay on track with your dreams (part 2). Oh, and a playlist!
I’ll be releasing a new podcast episode over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned. In the interim, please enjoy Season 1’s 624 episodes.
And now, welcome inside our fourth edition of Midlife Musings, love. I’m so happy you’re here!
Clicking the heart at the top or bottom of this email makes it easier for others to find Midlife Musings. 💗 Oh, and it also warms my heart!
Life Lately: A Peek Inside
Please join me in taking a pause to consider your own life lately: highlights, observations, joys, and challenges.
What I’m working on:
New website has launched (thanks Mara) with ongoing tweaks
Opening Coterie doors on Monday (join the waitlist for a special 1:1 bonus)
Practicing for ballet performances at International Adult Ballet Festival
Starting a certificate course at the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute
What I’m loving:
Flowers from last weekend’s ballet performance
Prepping for a week on the CA coast
Tea meetups with friends
Closing the door on a tough experience
What I’m consuming:
Watching You on Netflix
Strawberries from the farmers’ market
Peach sparkling water
Reading Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
What I’m wearing:
Black bodysuits topped with flowy layers
Faux pearl studs
Thrifted pink Dr. Scholl’s sandals
Baby pink toenail polish
What I’m noticing:
Excitement around turning 51 on the 30th
The importance of feeling seen
Struggles with sitting down to write
How my mind feels like a pinball (anyone else?!)
Mid-Year Reflection
A peek into the mid-year review process. Grab your journal, a pen, and join me!
Midlife can be a time of reflection where we begin to shed the layers that no longer serve us. People pleasing, see ya. Lack of boundaries, no more. Caring too much about what others think, nah. One thing I’ve noticed from my fellow midlifers is a longing to stop playing small and step into taking the stage of our own lives. Tiara and all.
Okay, sure a switch isn’t flipped and we wake up different one day, but layer, by layer we come more into our own. Do you feel it? In that vein, I invite you to join me on a mid-year reflection journey.
My birthday falls smack in the middle of the year (June 30), so it's become a time of contemplation and celebration. Each summer I set aside space to reflect on the past year since my last birthday and list a variety experiences, highlights, challenges, and lessons learned.
Here’s a peek into the process so far:
Second hip surgery, celebrated Gizmo the pug’s 16th birthday, new website, performed at the Washington Ballet after a challenging rehearsal experience, said goodbye to Gizmo, celebrated 20 years with my partner Tim, started Substack, traveled to Paris, started Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute’s certificate program, met orangutans in Borneo, navigated Mookie the pug’s new mobility issues . . .
Next, I consider what I want to experience by my next birthday. This takes a couple of hours and is a treasured ritual complete with tea, a journal, a pen, and a playlist (pssst, I have one for you below).
Here’s a start into my dreaming/planning process so far:
Successful third hip surgery, proud performance of Le Vie en Rose solo, complete new book, meet rescued orangutans and chimps at Center for Great Apes, release Year of Tranquility digital course and Embrace Your Inner Parisienne micro-course, travels to Paris and Tokyo, host an orangutan film screening, make Sundays a sacred day of creativity . . .
What about you? While your birthday may not be this month, let’s consider your own mid-year reflection.
What are my 2024 dreams? How's my word or theme of the year unfolding? How do I want my summer to look? What's going well in midlife? How’s my time aligning with my values? Do I need to shift any expectations? Set any boundaries? Make a change of plans? Reset?
How’s my physical, emotional, and mental well-being? What steps can I take to enhance my sense of wellness in the coming months? Are there any old passions I want to revisit or new interests I want to explore? Can I schedule certain experiences such as meetups, an outdoor concert, or a creative workshop?
I encourage you to visualize how you'd like this season of life to feel. Perhaps create an inspiration board or art journal page filled with images that reflect your vision. Taking time to pause and check in can lead to a variety of feelings. Release judgment with this process. There's no one size fits all. A little check-in and dose of self-love goes a long way. Promise.
And for those of you who prefer digital reflecting, check out futureme to record a few dreams, set a date, and hit send to receive it at the time of your choice.
As promised, here’s a Spotify playlist for you to enjoy while doing your mid-year reflection. Happy reflecting!
Live Pink, Wear Noir
Please join me in considering ways to live pink and wear (your own version of) noir.
Many moons ago I came up with the motto "live pink, wear noir” as a playful way to encapsulate the Tranquility du Jour philosophy. It embodies a lifestyle and attitude that ties optimism and sophistication into an organza bow.
Here’s a go at trying to articulate what this means:
💗 Live Pink: This is about embracing life with positivity, joy, and vibrancy. "Pink" symbolizes warmth, compassion, and a whimsical spirit. Living pink involves an open heart, kindness, and a sense of adventure with a splash of femininity, of course!
Think of the arts, literature, poetry, travel, and those simple pleasures that make your heart sing such as a fragrant cup of tea and a bouquet of your favorite flowers. It’s about nurturing yourself and others, expressing your creativity, and making a positive impact on the world. You in?!
🖤 Wear Noir: As someone who’s worn all-black for years, I see this as a touch of elegance, mystery, and timeless style and, yes, perhaps a bit too easy. I mean, everything matches AND dresses up or down easily, but I digress. "Noir" (French for black) represents a classic, minimalist aesthetic.
Wearing noir is about a polished, chic style and carrying oneself with grace and poise. Even when donning leggings and a tee. You own it! Christian Dior famously said, “You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion.” Of course, your version of noir could be animal prints, bold colors, or black oversized glasses. It’s about having a signature—something that screams you!
Together, "live pink, wear noir" is all about balance between a joyful, enthusiastic approach to life and a refined approach to the story you tell through your personal style. Does this motto resonate with you in midlife?
Meet New Adorable Tees & Bags
In honor of National Pink Day (June 23), I’ve created a few statement tees and organic cotton bags to the TDJ shop experience. And, great news, they ship globally!
As always, a portion of all offerings support Pigs & Pugs Project, Borneo Orangutan Survival, and 1% for the Planet.
Tips to Stay on Track Part 2
Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and tune to this latest video where I share more tips on how to stay on track with your dreams. Let me know what resonates and, in case you missed it, here’s part 1.
You’ll find more tranquility tools over on the Tranquility du Jour YouTube channel. Have a special request for an upcoming Tea with Kimberly video? Do tell! I’ll be recording new ones for you shortly!
How I Can Support You
Listen to 624 podcast episodes
Join Tranquility Coterie
Watch Tea with Kimberly videos
About Me
Hello! I'm a psychotherapist in Washington, DC, author of seven lifestyle books (next one on midlife), and host of the Tranquility Coterie. I’m in love with my 50s, ballet, pigs, pugs, and orangutans (random mix, I know!). I support women in finding more balance, beauty, and tranquility during this second half of life. More on my website and on Instagram.
A week on the California coast sounds dreamy!