Midlife Unfiltered: The Season Of Me
“Are we hanging on to the thing we used to do because we enjoyed it, or are we hanging on to who we used to be?” In this episode… I talk about the Re-Entries we sometimes find ourselves returning to, in this next phase of life. You know, now that the kids are ‘independent’ and (possibly) have flown the family nest. Going back to the sport, the hobbies we loved to do Before Kids - B.K. Something familiar but some how different? The skills might be familiar but we’ve changed and with that, how we approach that Re-Entry might be different too. “The hobby is the access point, not the point. What you’re really checking is whether the person underneath is still there.” For me it’s been going back to bones (I was a Radiographer) as part of my women’s health advocacy, learning the drums and taking up squash again after 30 years. I explore what it means to come back to something with both curiosity and courage - with a Beginner’s Mindset, on a familiar foundation. Along the way, I reflect on the idea of matrescence, the identity shift into motherhood, and how that journey doesn’t really end when children grow up, it simply changes shape. Perhaps now it’s now about mothering ourselves with kindness and compassion as we give these Re-Entries a go. This conversation also looks at the science behind hobbies, brain health, and neuroplasticity, including research suggesting that hobby engagement is linked with better wellbeing and lower risk of later cognitive decline. But beyond the research, my message is simple: Re-Entry is about identity, fun and health. Because it’s never too late to begin again and Future You is cheering you on. What’s something you used to do before kids, that you’d love to return to now? Maybe you already have? Let me know in the comments below. What you’ll hear * Why midlife can be a powerful time to revisit old interests (or start something new). * How motherhood can reshape identity without erasing it and help us to mother ourselves, encouraging us to give the new, the Re-Entries a go. * Why beginner’s mindset matters when returning to something familiar. * What the research says about hobbies, wellbeing, and brain health. * How neuroplasticity supports learning later in life. * How judgment, self-consciousness and fear can hold us back - particularly when joining groups. * Why our body may (will) need a different approach than it did in our younger years. * How hobbies can support future health, confidence and spark fun! Resources * Matrescence and the transition into motherhood [https://www.ted.com/search?q=Alexandra%20Sacks%20matrescence] * Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37696932/] * Hobby engagement and later dementia risk [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10409527/] May your Re-Entries be many and meaningful with a healthy dash of fun. May they lead you back to what feels true. More like you. Anita xx If you enjoyed this episode and think there might be someone in your life who would too, then please share it with them! That would be awesome. Thank you. Thank you too to Dianelle Amin [https://substack.com/profile/360613459-dianelle-amin], Mental Wellness and Recovery [https://substack.com/profile/158682610-mental-wellness-and-recovery], and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. I also have a weekly newsletter, Midlife Mojo that explores women’s health topics. Not as yet here on Substack (my business, Sequins and Sand [https://www.sequinsandsand.com.au/] is in transition just as I am). If you are curious then please head here to subscribe [https://sequinsandsand.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=42e174744d2258e7a025e1a70&id=9bc37c5089]. I’d love to see you there. Axx This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit midlifeunfiltered.substack.com [https://midlifeunfiltered.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]
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