Turning Fifty

Turning 50 and Setting Goals

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Thanksgiving table activity I'm thankful for | kids adults
“I’m thankful for…” cards are available in my Etsy shop.

A few years ago my friend was turning 50 and she made a list of life improvements and goals she wanted to reach/accomplish during her 50th year. It was a great list – a positive list – incorporate daily exercise, take a trip without the kids to visit a friend, and other things focused on herself. What has really impressed me is that years later she maintains many of the positive changes.

So now that I’m about to turn 50 – I should have a list, shouldn’t I? Of course I have a list of projects I’m working on and a list of other “future” ideas – I make lists every day, but nothing stands out as a life goal, or a “midlife” goal.

  • I suppose writing a book would have been on my list if I hadn’t, back in September, self published my book Creative Exploration: A Six Week Process for Introducing Regular Creativity into your Life. A guide to introducing creativity into your life.
  • Being a guest on a podcast would also have been on my list, mostly because I listen to so many of them, but I had the great pleasure recently of being interviewed by Nache Snow of the Studio 78 podcast. A podcast about creative women entrepreneurs and how they started their side hustle or business endeavor. FYI the episode will air December 1st.
  • I do want one day to attend Craftcation, the business and makers conference is California, but I’m a few years away from that. Trips in the near future will be college tours and family trips.

So what are my life goals? What are my plans for 50? What have I always wanted to achieve? Possibly I’m stumped for answers because: I’m blessed with a loving (and funny) husband, three smart, healthy kids, a comfortable home (not too far from the beach), a patchwork creative career that is bringing me a lot of fulfillment, and my regular creative practice of painting, drawing, and writing about creativity – which brings me so much joy. Maybe I’m good. Maybe I’m ready for 50 already.

Pilgrim coloring page fun Thanksgiving activity for kids
Pilgrim coloring page is available in my Etsy shop.

Want to be creative on a regular basis and experience the joy that creativity brings? Explore mediums and subjects, in search of your thing? Learn about my new book Creative Exploration: A Six Week Process for Introducing Regular Creativity into your Life by clicking here. Creativity is for EVERYONE! Talent is just a starting point.

Creative Exploration book -

This post contains affiliate links to products/brands I use and recommend. I earn a small commission whenever you buy using these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

I’m turning 50 and the kids are growing up

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

I paint the ocean in watercolor. Eileen McKenna

In 2020 I turn 50. It doesn’t bother me that much because I feel young, but it is strange. The biggest sign that I’m getting older is that we have one child away at college, another applying to colleges, and our “baby” started high school.

As I enter this new phase I was happy to find MidlifeRambler.com and connect with Katy the founder. Katy says,

“I started Midlife Rambler because I like reading so many of the great lifestyle blogs out there written by all the creative 30-somethings of the world but I wished I had something to read that was a little more focused on the interests and needs of women my age. 

Women my age often seem to be under-represented and it can be difficult to find places on the Internet that speak to us and value us. Women at midlife are entering a new phase of our lives: a phase where we (mostly) stop focusing on raising our children and starting planning our next act. What will that look like? What do we even want anyway?”

Personally, the things helping me with these transitions are having work that I’ve been able to expand on, and having a hobby that I love. I have had the pleasure of contributing an article on “Finding a Hobby you’ll love” to Midlife Rambler. Visit https://www.midliferambler.com/how-to-find-a-hobby-youll-love/ to read it.

Have advice on navigating the kids leaving the nest? I’d love to hear.

Photo by Dawn Herlihy Reilly.

Would you like to: Be creative on a regular basis and experience the joy that creativity brings? Explore mediums and subjects, in search of your thing? Learn about my new book Creative Exploration: A Six Week Process for Introducing Regular Creativity into your Life by clicking here.

Creative Exploration book -

This post contains affiliate links to products/brands I use and recommend. I earn a small commission whenever you buy using these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!