I don’t know exactly when it happened.

There wasn’t a birthday that suddenly changed everything. Nobody handed me a membership card or sent an official notice in the mail. But somewhere along the way, I crossed into a new season of life, and lately I’ve been noticing all the little signs.

For example, I am officially at the age where a canceled plan feels less like a disappointment and more like an unexpected gift. Twenty years ago, a free Friday night would have sent me looking for something fun to do. These days, if someone calls to reschedule, there’s a good chance I’m already reaching for my pajamas and fluffing the pillows on the couch.

I’ve also reached the age where I check the weather before I check social media. Not because I’m planning a big outdoor adventure, but because my joints would appreciate a heads-up. If rain is moving in, my body usually knows before the meteorologist does.

And can we talk about errands for a minute?

There was a time when I could spend an entire day running around town and barely think twice about it. Now a trip to Costco, a stop at the grocery store, and one extra errand have me looking around for a place to sit down and recover. Somewhere between my twenties and my fifties, errands transformed from a casual activity into an endurance sport.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that my definition of excitement has changed considerably. Jewelry is lovely, but have you ever opened a cabinet and found a perfectly organized set of storage containers with matching lids? That’s the kind of thrill that keeps me going these days.

Every week I also convince myself that this will finally be the week I become one of those women who has her life completely together. You know the type. She drinks plenty of water, meal preps on Sunday, keeps fresh vegetables in the refrigerator, and somehow remembers to thaw dinner before noon.

Every week I buy the produce.

Every week I have the dream.

And every week there’s at least one vegetable in my refrigerator wondering why I abandoned it.

The funny thing is that while I’ve changed in ways I never expected, I’ve also become surprisingly comfortable with it. I no longer feel like I have to fill every minute of every day. Some of my favorite moments are the quiet ones. A morning coffee, a walk around the neighborhood, an evening at home, or a conversation with one of my kids.

Even my dreams look a little different now.

At this stage of life, I’m spending hours creating proposal decks for a future farm that doesn’t even exist yet. We don’t own the land. We haven’t picked the location. There are still plenty of questions to answer.

But dreaming about it is fun.

Maybe that’s another sign of getting older. I’ve learned that not every dream has to be rushed. Some dreams can be savored. They can grow slowly, take unexpected turns, and unfold in their own time.

And perhaps that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned since becoming officially “at this age.”

Life doesn’t have to look exactly the way I imagined it would when I was younger.

Some dreams happened.

Some didn’t.

Some are still being written.

And honestly, that’s okay.

Because these days I’m finding joy in things I used to overlook. Like that good cup of coffee, a peaceful morning, a text from my kids, a dog snoring at my feet, or the excitement of imagining what the next chapter might hold.

So yes, I am officially at the age where I need a little more rest, a little more patience, and probably a little more water.

But I’m also officially at the age where I appreciate life more than ever.

And I think that’s a pretty good place to be.

No matter what age you’re in, I hope you find something to laugh about today.

Until next time,
Natalie💛