There’s something wonderfully liberating about reaching midlife. Not because everything is suddenly perfect — it isn’t — but because at some point you simply grow tired of wasting energy on things that don’t matter, don’t work, or don’t deserve the emotional rent they’ve been charging you for decades. Here are the things I stopped doing after 50… and the surprising improvements that followed. 1. Saying Yes When Every Fibre of My Being Meant No Once upon a time, I agreed to th

If you’re craving a calm Christmas rather than a chaotic one, this is for you! ”Christmas used to be magical. Now it mostly feels like being cast as the unpaid production assistant in a festive West End show no one asked you to organise. By midlife, many of us have learned two things: We want Christmas to feel calm, cosy, and meaningful. The people who shout “Make it magical!” usually contribute nothing except an empty tin of Celebrations. This guide is for the woman who want

The day your child leaves home is supposed to be emotional. Tears, hugs, nostalgia, the obligatory “send me a picture of your room when it’s tidy.” My own daughter left just four months ago to move into her first home — a moment of pure pride wrapped in the soft ache only a mother understands. She’s always been independent. Capable. The kind of young woman who could run her own life from the age of twelve if we’d let her. But even the most capable daughters still need their m

A midlife woman’s practical checklist after this year’s Budget. This Budget offered a few crumbs, a couple of perks, and a handful of stealth taxes quietly creeping up behind us. Here’s what I’m personally doing — calmly, sensibly, and with one eyebrow firmly raised. 1. Checking My Pension Contributions I’m looking at my pension setup now, not in 2029 when the salary-sacrifice cap kicks in and suddenly costs me more. If you’re working and contributing through salary sacrifice

Today’s Budget rolled out a mix of small “gifts” and bigger changes — but as usual, the devil’s in the detail. For women in their 50s and beyond, some of the announcements might help, but many feel like rearranging deckchairs on a leaky ship. What’s Changed (Officially) Energy levies are being cut, leading to an estimated £150 off average energy bills next year  — potentially more for poorer households. GOV.UK +1 The government promises to freeze rail fares and prescription c

November arrives with a chill that seems to seep into your bones and a calendar that suddenly fills with invitations to social events you never asked for. The thought of bundling up, braving the cold, and making small talk feels about as appealing as a root canal. Instead, there’s a far superior option: retreating to the sanctuary of your home, wrapped in snuggy clothing, with candles flickering and your favourite music playing softly in the background. November nights were m