(My friend Candace at https://dandelionseeds.substack.com/ draws sketch-essays - a few of them formerly for Longreads - so her stuff is about 75%, but I don't think she ever went fully text-pants-off. I'll let her know.)
Also - and I know this is just one case study - aged 49, after a decade of going uphill, I was ready to give up being a writer. 50 was where I decided to try again except differently, and now I'm 52 I seem to be the writer I always wanted to be, but never was. My fifties unlocked it. No idea how. But I'm in.
I was just about to say that this literally took my breath away when I saw your lovely comment as well, Mike 🙏 Jenny, this is *stunning* and I so hope you’ll share more like this soon.
I just turned 57 and if the last few years have been downhill, it's an almost unnoticeable decline - the kind of shallow hill you can roll down gently on your bike. Yes, it's a little harder to get out of my comfy chair in the evening, but I'm also more comfortable in my skin and don't feel like I have to justify who I am as much as I used to.
At 59, I'm with you all the way on this. I'm okay with gentle glides downslope, and some gentle upslopes. But nobody needs to be climbing up all the damn time!!
most my friends (and myself) are turning 50 this year... this will make fantastic birthday cards, because yes, I am looking forward to it. sort of. ok. no. not really. but you know. maybe? (if my procrastinating self ever gets around to printing it out anyway, I've yet to print a single one. sigh.)
I used to think downhill only counted in marathons, skiing, and "I'm almost out of gas, please let me get to the gas station!" This little doozie changed my mind. I cracked a smile, and put life on coast....thank you
IT WORKED.
(My friend Candace at https://dandelionseeds.substack.com/ draws sketch-essays - a few of them formerly for Longreads - so her stuff is about 75%, but I don't think she ever went fully text-pants-off. I'll let her know.)
Also - and I know this is just one case study - aged 49, after a decade of going uphill, I was ready to give up being a writer. 50 was where I decided to try again except differently, and now I'm 52 I seem to be the writer I always wanted to be, but never was. My fifties unlocked it. No idea how. But I'm in.
I was just about to say that this literally took my breath away when I saw your lovely comment as well, Mike 🙏 Jenny, this is *stunning* and I so hope you’ll share more like this soon.
Kelsey just had a post that reminds me a little of Candace’s work but in her own style: https://open.substack.com/pub/kelceyervick/p/saying-yes-to-big-magic-and-creative
HOORAY HAI CANDACE, I didn't know you were reading Jenny, but of course I should have guessed.
HAI! And but of course! If it’s illustrated storytelling, then you know I’m here for it 😍
Did you ever see my excellent illustrated book called “The Strange, Sad Story of Al’s Cheeseburger?” You inspired me to post it, even though I got an “F” on it for the class assignment. https://switters.substack.com/p/the-sad-strange-journey-of-als-cheeseburger
It worked and it is beautiful!! In all the ways! I’m 68 and can tell you that ‘downhill’ is lovely!
I just turned 57 and if the last few years have been downhill, it's an almost unnoticeable decline - the kind of shallow hill you can roll down gently on your bike. Yes, it's a little harder to get out of my comfy chair in the evening, but I'm also more comfortable in my skin and don't feel like I have to justify who I am as much as I used to.
At 59, I'm with you all the way on this. I'm okay with gentle glides downslope, and some gentle upslopes. But nobody needs to be climbing up all the damn time!!
You're my favourite.
This is why.
Yes you can!
most my friends (and myself) are turning 50 this year... this will make fantastic birthday cards, because yes, I am looking forward to it. sort of. ok. no. not really. but you know. maybe? (if my procrastinating self ever gets around to printing it out anyway, I've yet to print a single one. sigh.)
Oh man, the 40s are amazing, but the 50s are where you really start coming out of your cocoon!
It great!
Keep exercising though
Yep!!! And I love that picture.
It is beautiful. I am almost out of my 50s and I feel like I am 25 in my mind. It's worth it
I used to think downhill only counted in marathons, skiing, and "I'm almost out of gas, please let me get to the gas station!" This little doozie changed my mind. I cracked a smile, and put life on coast....thank you
LOVE
Yupp!!
It worked, and it’s BEAUTIFUL!
Yes, going uphill is exhausting! Love it, and loved the boob bag too!
Thank you for this lovely idea/concept. I am 60 and really going to take the time to ponder what you just offered me 🙏🏻 🤩
My husband is turning 50 this year and has been seriously worrying about it. Gonna send him this. 😉
This week I wrote about dealing with my PTSD via holding a medieval joust for charity in my yard. As one does. 🏰
https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanorvader/p/jousting-with-ptsd?r=2sseuy&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
It worked!