About me:
I’m a forty-six-year-old Ottawa woman currently in the middle of an extended midlife crisis. I blog about it and other things that pass through my head from time to time.
About this blog:
This blog is semi-anonymous. “Louise” is one of my real names but it isn’t the one I usually use in my day-to-day life. (That’ll confuse you if you ever meet me. LOL) The thoughts, events, and opinions described are real but some of the names may be changed to protect the ignorant — if you know me in real life and come across this blog by accident, you’ll probably recognize me (and perhaps yourselves) from these posts, but I don’t share the site address with very many friends or any family members specifically so that I don’t have to censor myself.
Life Begins at 41...or maybe 43 
Hello, I found your blog by accident, and I was totally stunned by the similarity in life stage to myself.
I turned 42 in February and forty and forty one were not that big an issue; but for some reason forty two – HURTS. Having recently come out of my second marriage, still overweight and on the brink of bankruptcy – I can empathise with your situation.
Perhaps I haven’t read all the blog entries correctly or fully, but there is something about your writing style which as cliched as it sounds “speaks to me”.
I’ll be honest, I am not entirely clear why I am commenting other than perhaps to say that – you are not the only one who has put her life on hold until a miracle happens. I am the same, I don’t go out unless it is work, I am selling off my things to make it easier for me to move elsewhere and to pay rent while there isn’t that much work: I am contractor so I don’t make any enduring friendships, and the guys on the courses I train are certainly never interested in me as a woman.
Funny, it seems that as soon as a woman hits forty, she becomes invisible – someone did warn me about that and my ex dragged out the separation until I was after forty, and I don’t want to become one of those mutton dressed as lamb women who appears on gocougar who has the classic “I’ve dropped my contact lens” pose. That site is initially hilarious but very quickly becomes depressing – because you see so many older women trying to look in their twenties and the young men seem barely out of nappies.
Look Louise, if you fancy an email conversation from time to time – I will answer, and I will bookmark your blog.
Keep writing and take care!
Glad you stopped by, Katya. We do seem to be at the same stage, don’t we. I’m so sorry for that, for both of us. 😉
Hi Louise,
I like your blog. Nice to hear I’m not the only woman going through stuff.
I’m turning 50 next week, and it’s terrifying!
Keep writing,
B
My name is Linda and I use to own a few Gloria Stevens Figure Salons! I now have DOT Weight Loss and Wellness in Littleton, CO http://www.dotweightloss.net
I was just “playing around” on the internet and found your site.
If you would like, go to my web-site and leave me a message.
Hope all is well.
Louise:
I too am a 40 some woman who came across this site by accident. No time right now for much info, but I too am exeriencing the challenge (making an assumption I suppose) the trying to “re-create” some sense of meaning and purpose in my life.
This will make you all feel very cool, but until one week ago; I had no idea really what these blogs were – I had no idea that just anyone could start one of these up….
Quickly, I have a question. You have an entry about “breaking into freelancing”. I assume you are talking about writing. I have not been a professional writer in my “first” life, however; have always been interested in it, taken courses and told I have some aptitude (from your comments its sounds like the standards might not be too high)! Any other advice for how a newcomer wanting to perhaps “test the waters” would begin?
Ellen
Welcome to the blog, Ellen. Don’t worry about not knowing what blogs were until recently. You’re in fairly good company there. And, hey, now that you know about them, you could always start one of your own. 🙂
(I’ll e-mail you about the freelancing thing.)
Hey, nice to find your blog. I am currently blogging my way through this year I turn 40 (no idea what I’m doing, by the way). As it turns out, turning 40 was fine. Cool, calm, uneventful even. I actually feel sort of fabulous. Please confirm that it will not go to hell at 42. Thanks.
(I’ll be reading!)
Gosh, I’m sorry that I can’t confirm that. I distinctly recall there being some hell (possibly in a hard cart or hand basket) at 42. I seem to remember paving of some kind…some kind of intentions…
Sorry. Wish the news was better.
On the plus side, I hear things pick up again at 50 so here’s hoping…
Hi there! I am a 67 year old woman and life still amazes me! I liked 35 and decided I could safely settle there (ah, would that I could), because I finally knew what I didn’t know. I spent subsequent years biting my tongue, learning to bite my tongue when it was the last thing I wanted to do…and guess what? My entire life got better. I used to pride myself in speaking my mind. In my 40’s & thereafter, my life improved in leaps and bounds. Nobody but NOBODY wanted to know what was on my mind unless it was well thought out, kind, and intelligent. Something that was not at all spontaneous for me (and most “frank” people, I’ve ever known).
Here I am at 67, somewhat amazed that I’ve made it this far (so many friends didn’t), and I am thankful for every single day.
To all the 40-ers:
An old saying “Too soon old, too late smart”.
My real name is Louise…funny I have never posted a comment on a blog before and your chosen name is louise…it caught me
I’m really glad you posted, Louise. I haven’t been able to bring myself to post a whole lot in the five months since my mother died, but I hope to start doing it again soon. I hope you’ll stop by periodically. 🙂
Now that I have found this, I will stop by periodically. My Mother is always on my mind and though it has been 15 months today, not a moment passes where I think to call her….then it hits. I don’t think that will ever stop. Keep posting, it works.
Great blog – thanks for giving all of us who are having an extended mid-life crisis a voice!
Hello from Finland, Louise — just came across your blog and enjoy your posts very much. Will be sure to follow 🙂
Hello Louise, I came across your blog and it resonated with me.