I've been working on who reads, and who might want to read my newsletter. Let me know if this reflects your interests - or have I got you completely wrong?
Thanks Sarb. Your four sentences resonated with me. My summary sentence would be: I’d like to be part of your informal community on Substack where we share our mid-life stories with the hope of finding connection and ways of thinking and living that feel thoughtful, useful and human. For example, I’d like to hear how people carve out or create time and space for themselves for restoration and reflection.
Glad they resonated with you, Bernard - helps me know I'm on a track that feels right. Love your further reflections and may kick off a discussion thread about that next week. Thank you.
Hmm Thank you Sarb, I’ve just spent ten minutes trying to work out if I am early or middle aged! Is that mentally or physically? I live in Auckland but I am currently in West Sussex in the UK. Re- connecting with my elderly parents 90+ and trying to get my head round why they have so many medical appointments? I am on week four and I am cognitively exhausted. Gosh I’m the guy who thinks wow you’ve got this far what are you going to do for the next 43 years? I say 43 as that’s the general age when the older members of my Irish family ‘push up daises’ . In fact a first cousin on my mothers side just traveled to Ireland from NYC she’s 97! At that age it should be free travel ha. The last 2.5 years have being a bit of a blur so my priorities are: reconnecting with family in person, looking after my physical and mental health, update my LinkedIn profile, learning new skills, understanding the NHS, Stop buying Le Rustique Camembert it’s only £1.60 for 250g! Farro $18.00! Oh and trying to enjoy life a little.
I have to stop writing, appointment No. 14 Skin and Laser Clinic with Dad. Ho Hum.
Hey Paul. Yes, it's interesting these inflection points on our personal and family histories as well as our current lived experience, and how they come together as we seek to make sense of these paths and plot our way into the future. Even having this awareness unlocks both opportunity but also be un-anchoring too. Connecting with each other as we navigate through these realisations feels like something worth doing. I hear you about the cognitive exhaustion. I felt that when back with my parents in the UK in May. Heading back again in Sept/Oct. Lots of admin still to do for their lives. But enjoy the cheese variety (I totally enjoyed that plus the malty real ales too).
Age is difficult to pick (in my sixties) but the rest seems to gel and resonate: connecting and reflecting to seek future directions for us and our communities.
Thanks Sarb. Your four sentences resonated with me. My summary sentence would be: I’d like to be part of your informal community on Substack where we share our mid-life stories with the hope of finding connection and ways of thinking and living that feel thoughtful, useful and human. For example, I’d like to hear how people carve out or create time and space for themselves for restoration and reflection.
Glad they resonated with you, Bernard - helps me know I'm on a track that feels right. Love your further reflections and may kick off a discussion thread about that next week. Thank you.
Hmm Thank you Sarb, I’ve just spent ten minutes trying to work out if I am early or middle aged! Is that mentally or physically? I live in Auckland but I am currently in West Sussex in the UK. Re- connecting with my elderly parents 90+ and trying to get my head round why they have so many medical appointments? I am on week four and I am cognitively exhausted. Gosh I’m the guy who thinks wow you’ve got this far what are you going to do for the next 43 years? I say 43 as that’s the general age when the older members of my Irish family ‘push up daises’ . In fact a first cousin on my mothers side just traveled to Ireland from NYC she’s 97! At that age it should be free travel ha. The last 2.5 years have being a bit of a blur so my priorities are: reconnecting with family in person, looking after my physical and mental health, update my LinkedIn profile, learning new skills, understanding the NHS, Stop buying Le Rustique Camembert it’s only £1.60 for 250g! Farro $18.00! Oh and trying to enjoy life a little.
I have to stop writing, appointment No. 14 Skin and Laser Clinic with Dad. Ho Hum.
Hey Paul. Yes, it's interesting these inflection points on our personal and family histories as well as our current lived experience, and how they come together as we seek to make sense of these paths and plot our way into the future. Even having this awareness unlocks both opportunity but also be un-anchoring too. Connecting with each other as we navigate through these realisations feels like something worth doing. I hear you about the cognitive exhaustion. I felt that when back with my parents in the UK in May. Heading back again in Sept/Oct. Lots of admin still to do for their lives. But enjoy the cheese variety (I totally enjoyed that plus the malty real ales too).
Malty real ales, go Cassells in Christchurch! Probably available at a beer outlet near you (especially as now brewed in Northampton too)
My life is complete now NZ has an alternative to fizzy yellow beer.
Age is difficult to pick (in my sixties) but the rest seems to gel and resonate: connecting and reflecting to seek future directions for us and our communities.
Thanks Adrian - I should probably just stick to age bracket rather than descriptive terms - most likely safer :) Let's say 30s-70s.