The 7 Skills to Conquer in Midlife

How do you determine what midlife really means? It’s not just about hitting the big 4-0, which I’ve just celebrated. I fully intend to be thriving—and hopefully performing—at the age of 80. To me, midlife represents the start of a crucial decade. Having spent my 20s lost in daydreams and a good chunk of my 30s immersed in the chaos of raising a small child, I want my 40s to be all about taking action.

There’s always been a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, a reminder that time is slipping away and there’s so much more I want to learn and achieve. As I blew out the candles on my 40th birthday cake, that feeling intensified. It’s time to tackle the skills that have been calling my name since my younger days. Here’s what I’m aiming to master during this decade of doing:

Decode A Prairie Home Companion: Seriously, what’s the deal with Garrison Keillor? Is he pulling off the longest prank in history, or is there some profound brilliance in his shows that I just can’t grasp? I’m determined to figure it out, even if that means enduring countless barber shop quartets as I scrub the dishes every Saturday night.
Get Through a Surreal Film Without Distractions: My husband, Jake, is a film buff who loves all genres, including surrealism. We’ve had our share of disagreements over my less-than-enthusiastic reactions to movies like The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. I want to watch one of these films without losing focus or running off to clean something—no more “Oh, they went to a restaurant! Alert The New York Times!”
Master Textile Lingo for Online Shopping: Slub? Modal? What even are these terms? I know what a Peter Pan collar is, but I need to get familiar with this new textile language to shop confidently at The Gap. It’s time for some serious research.
Cook Without Constantly Checking Recipes: I want to be able to sauté mushrooms without looking at the recipe every two minutes. What’s the right temperature for olive oil? And why can’t I remember if I need one cup or two of lentils? I dream of cooking effortlessly like the women in movies, sipping red wine and creating culinary masterpieces.
Get Back to Sewing: I learned to sew at a young age but never really progressed. With my daughter starting school soon, I want to be the mom who can whip up Halloween costumes and mend clothes. My husband, Jake, has already made some cute outfits for our daughter’s doll. It’s my turn to step up! Note to self: Buy curtains for that project.
Learn Six Fun Ways to Tie a Scarf: I believe we should all have a bit of flair in our midlife wardrobes. I love watching stylish older women on the bus, all draped in beautiful scarves. There are countless ways to tie them; I need to learn a few chic options to elevate my style.
Get Tech-Savvy: I can’t set the DVR, and my husband has to redo the dishwasher every time. I even managed to accidentally set a voicemail greeting that was downright embarrassing! It’s high time I figured this stuff out.

So there you have it—a few key skills I’m eager to tackle as I embrace midlife. And who knows? I might still be dancing my heart out at 50, so mastering everything may not be in the cards.

For more insights on parenting and midlife, check out our other blog posts, including this one on terms and conditions. Plus, if you’re looking to boost your fertility, check out Make a Mom for expert advice. And for a deeper understanding of artificial insemination, this Wikipedia entry is a fantastic resource.

In summary, midlife is all about growth and skill-building. I’m ready to embrace this decade and tackle new challenges with enthusiasm.

Related Topics: