Thank you for sharing the messy middle!

Thank you, readers, for being on the receiving end of words from me and sharing the messy middle journey! Two years ago, I tentatively pushed ‘publish’ on this website and sent my first post off into the world. I was nervous someone would read it, afraid they wouldn’t.

It’s taken me slow and steady steps to put my words out there. And I’m still not confident where I’m going. I honestly can’t believe I have published more than 80 posts, all about navigating change and this middle adulthood journey.

I wish I could send you a bouquet of flowers on this anniversary to say thank you for sharing this messy middle journey with me!

Thank you for being patient with me

I’ve learned that sometimes my words strike a chord and sometimes they don’t seem to have much impact.

And this is when I need to keep writing.

I’ve learned that much of the process is putting honest words out there and hoping they find a home, eventually, some day.

Thank you for growing with me

I’ve learned that’s okay to be a beginner.

It’s okay to not know entirely what I’m saying or even why I do.

I’ve learned that writing helps me feel more clear inside. And that reading sometimes helps someone else feel more clear too.

Thank you for being a community

I’ve learned that women need each other. We all need voices to tell us that we’re not alone on this big old planet, that someone else is unsure and figuring it out, step by slow step.

I’ve learned that most of us struggle with change, with processing what happens to us and around us.

I’ve learned that God speaks to us in those moments of change.

And that change is a lot of moments strung together, like popcorn on a Christmas tree. We’re going somewhere, but we may not see exactly where until much later.

I’ve learned that God is a faithful guide.

Thank you for helping me trust in the process

I’ve learned that we have to listen, step forward when we don’t have all the answers, keep trusting in the process and the practice of moving forward.

Most of us are scared of something even when we don’t admit it to ourselves or anyone else. And fear can hold us back from moving forward at all.

I’ve learned that there is truth in each of us, but we have to be still to find it. And being alone isn’t so lonely if we’re listening.

And I’ve learned that keeping your hands moving on the keyboard brings thoughts to life that I didn’t know were hidden inside. Also, that this is just like taking steps forward in our lives, with clarity coming only as we begin moving.

I’ve learned that having the courage to put words “out there” brings more courage, more hope. And that this is just like taking one small step in life gives us courage and hope to walk farther than we think we can.

Thank you for being a bit crazy with me

I’ve learned that we’re all strong and weak, and a little bit crazy. And that’s okay too.

When we share our crazy, it somehow becomes a little less crazy.

I’ve learned that life is hard, people make so many mistakes and even when we’re poised on the end of the diving board, some of us just can’t jump on our own. But when a friend stands beside us, or goes first, sometimes it gets a little bit easier.

And I’ve learned that people need to be heard. And the older we get, the harder it is to be heard.

Thank you for helping me face the fear

This middle stage of life gets harder than I thought. And the prospect of growing into “old age” is harder yet. I’ve learned that those that face their fears head on, who push themselves to be fit and healthy, who learn to talk and share their feelings — they age a little easier. That’s not to say it’s easy, but maybe just a little more graceful.

I’ve learned that my job is to write, to jump off the diving board, to do life at least a little bit scared, and to let go of the outcomes. When I do this, it comes together.

And if I forget and get all balled up and anxious inside, fretting and frazzled, well, things tend to go in circles and get a little more crazy. So I have to be brave and let it go, lean into God’s great purpose.

Thank you for sharing the messy middle

I’m so thankful to have readers that follow along with my wandering and wondering, weaving in and around life’s messiness. I’m learning that this mess isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Just like Pigpen in the Snoopy stories, it’s part of my story, maybe all of our stories.

So what’s next? Well, I’m working on that. As I head into a third year of writing, I am excited about taking all these threads and pulling them together.

Please keep sharing!

I’m grateful for those of you who pass on my newsletter or links to posts to friends on a similar journey. This community is growing and developing, thanks to you! And we’re all learning together.

I enjoy sending a personal note and a thank you to friends who sign up to hear about my posts. And the weekly newsletter always includes exclusive information, just for subscribers. I appreciate each and every one of you!