For the first time in five years, I find myself with a little more space.

Both of my kids are now in full time school, and for a long time, I assumed that would mean going back to work full time, too. That was always the plan.

But after a particularly exhausting year of having maybe one or two hours a day to myself, I realized I wanted a little me time.

Lately, I’ve also been thinking a lot about what I want life after 40 to look like.

Not necessarily to do less, but to do more of the things that make me feel like myself.

I’m Writing My Memoir

I’ve been thinking about writing this book for a long time.

It’s about the journey it took to regain my health after years of chronic illness, medical gaslighting, treatment, and the stress of not knowing what would happen next.

It’s also the book I was looking for when I was going through it. The stories I wanted to read. The books I was trying to hunt down for some sense of hope or reassurance that things could get better. I hope it can be that book for someone else, too.

But I didn’t want to just wing it. I wanted to give the book the best possible chance of reaching the people who might need it.

Last October, on a whim, I applied to a writing program that required applicants to pitch their book for review. I didn’t expect much to come from it because, honestly, who was I to write a book?

I’ll never forget how excited I felt when I was accepted.

It was a big financial commitment and the timing wasn’t quite right, so I didn’t sign up then. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

This past summer, I reached back out to see if I could still participate starting in September, when both of my kids would be in school.

They said yes.

So this fall, I’m also kind of back in school, and I couldn’t be more excited. For the first time, I’m giving myself the time and space to really see where this book could go.

I’m Making More Time for My Health

This past year was insanely busy, juggling work and life with kids. And while I still had my little habits and routines that I practice daily to feel good, I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to exercise consistently.

My body has changed since having kids, and I wanted to start feeling strong and fit again. I’m also getting older and want to proactively start building some strength, something I’ve avoided for as long as possible.

Funny enough, I’m discovering I actually like lifting light weights.

Anyway, now that I have a bit more time, I’ve created a nice little workout playlist, bought a few free weights, and started making my health a bigger priority.

Making Room: A Little More Fun

So I’m not really doing less. I’m making more space for the things that make me feel good.

I’m still working part time. I’m not stepping away from work completely, and I have no idea what this will look like a few months from now.

Life after 40 has me thinking more about how I want to spend my time and whether I’m making enough time for the things I really enjoy.

For me, that’s writing, reading, exercising, and cooking. And now that my kids are in school, I have a little more bandwidth to explore all of that.

I don’t know exactly where any of it will lead. Honestly, it doesn’t have to lead anywhere. It’s a season for me.

In the spirit of doing more of what excites me, I started a Substack called Sign of Life, where I’ll share my personal essays on doing more of what I want, and less of what I should. Think of it as notes on actually living well, not just feeling well.

So if you’re interested in making room, too, feel free to follow along.

You might also like: 40 Things I’ve Learned About Living Well.