Five Friday Reads #2
Writing by midlife women from across Substack
As a semi-weekly feature, we will be highlighting articles and essays from across Substack by midlife women. We’ll mostly choose writing from Substacks on our Midstack Directory but not exclusively.
“The Opposite of Fear Is Love” by in
“So, why am I telling this story, today? I’m telling this story, because at the ripe old age of 62, I was given an opportunity to transform the fear I’ve been carrying around my whole life. I learned about generational trauma and epigenetics, how trauma can affect our individual makeup and can be passed on, even if the causative factor wasn’t directly experienced.”
“Something Better Than Work Life Balance” by in
“We’re used to thinking of our jobs as a defining part of our identity. This has never sat well with me, probably because I spent most of my adult life trying to find a job that felt like me.”
“Unpacking the Black Box of Menopause” by in
“We have to advocate for ourselves. We know our bodies better than anyone else, and when something feels off, it’s up to us to push for answers. Sadly, because of the lack of research, we can often be more informed than our healthcare providers. It’s essential to do your own research, vet the experts you trust with your health, and ensure you're getting the care you deserve.”
“Legendary Memoirist Abigail Thomas Doesn’t Give a Shit”: ‘s interview with of in
“I love being eighty-three. I love all the petty and even the not so petty concerns that seemed so important that now have vanished. I have no vanity, no embarrassment, no guilt left. Guilt has grown up and become regret. Guilt keeps you center stage. Regret urges you to do something to make amends, something invisible, helpful, or maybe even something funny. I indulge and enjoy myself, and I write.”
“The Mountains Are Calling” by Sara Stansberrry of
“My family has had a presence in Western North Carolina for generations. There are stories about my great-grandparents taking a stagecoach from Florida to open their summer home. Once there, they would prepare a garden that would feed their adult children and their families for the entire summer as each came and went for their ‘summer time’ in Balsam.”
Over at , we asked Substack writers to post articles and essays to share with us. Find more excellent writing from midlife women here:
💬 In the comments, tell us what else you’ve read this week that you love.
OMGoodness! Thank you so much for the mention and the link! That's so lovely. In full appreciation of this support today.
Thank you Jessica for including my most recent Q&A with bestselling author Abigail Thomas in your Friday roundup! For those reading, here's the Q&A I did with Jessica: https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/each-decade-has-been-a-peeling-away