Wild Adventures with Ingrid
Transitioning Life Stages and Identity Beyond Parenting
This week's conversation explores the experience of moving from active parenting to a new phase of life as children grow older or leave home. Both women reflect on the challenges and opportunities that come with this shift, such as redefining personal identity beyond roles like parent, spouse, or caretaker. Ingrid shares her own journey after her children were grown, including getting tattoos and learning to ride a motorcycle at age 56, as acts of reclaiming personal freedom and self-discovery. Reah discusses the adjustment to having fewer children at home and the sense of unfamiliarity and even guilt that can come with newfound free time. Both emphasize the importance of taking time for oneself, pursuing personal interests, and not falling into the trap of always caring for others at the expense of self. The discussion also touches on the spiritual and practical aspects of this transition, especially for women, and the need to find fulfillment and joy in activities outside of traditional caregiving roles.
Writing, Creativity, and the Value of Sharing Personal Stories
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the process and value of writing, particularly memoirs and autobiographies. Both speakers are authors and share their experiences with writing and publishing. Reah describes her ongoing work on a memoir about turning 40, the challenges of restructuring the book, and the emotional benefits of writing, such as gaining clarity and processing relationships. Ingrid emphasizes that writing truthfully can open doors for readers to reflect on their own lives, even if the writing does not reach a wide audience. They discuss the impact that books can have on individuals, citing examples of books that changed their perspectives or lives. The conversation highlightes the importance of writing for oneself as well as for others, the therapeutic aspects of the creative process, and the ripple effect that sharing personal stories can have, even if it only helps one person. Both encourage others to write, regardless of commercial success, and reflected on the importance of being proud of creative work.
Women’s Visibility, Wisdom, and Intergenerational Dialogue
The speakers explore the theme of women’s visibility and the importance of honoring women’s identities and contributions. Ingrid recountes a formative childhood experience reading about Osa Johnson, whose name was omitted in a newspaper article, sparking a lifelong commitment to ensuring women are recognized for their achievements. This leads to a discussion about the tendency for women, especially as they age, to feel invisible or overlooked. Ingrid, who identifies as an elder and 'irreverent wise woman,' stresses the value of older women sharing their wisdom and experiences, both online and in person. She describes how her tattoos often spark conversations with younger people, creating opportunities for intergenerational exchange. Both speakers agree on the importance of women owning their stories, being proud of their accomplishments, and resisting societal pressures to diminish themselves. The conversation also touches on the need for women to support each other and to find pride in their creative and personal achievements.
Get to know Ingrid at https://www.ingridkincaid.com/. Learn more about Reah at https://www.Falolity.net and watch additional reels at https://www.YouTube.com/@reahhagues.
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