As you may have read, it’s our 20th blogaversary (confetti toss!) and I’m celebrating by starting a Substack named “Midlife Musings” with you in mind. I miss the good ol’ blogging days (remember those?!) and find myself drawn to simplicity coupled with deeper connections in midlfe.

It’s been a bit quiet here on the blog since I released my last podcast for now (thank you Season 1, stay tuned for details on Season 2). Over the past six + weeks, I’ve focused on nurturing this year’s Coterie and creating our Substack.

• Personal updates and musings on the midlife journey.
• Tips and discussions on maintaining our well-being during this transformative time.
• Deeper dives into thoughts and personal lessons learned along the way.
• Ideas and inspiration for crafting a fulfilling and serene midlife experience.
• Explorations into the world of adult ballet as a form of expression and self-care.
• Strategies and support for nurturing our mental wellness during midlife.
• Practical advice and inspiration for thriving in these vibrant years.
• And so much more!

Have I missed anything you’d like to read about? Reach out and let me know!

For newsletter and blog subscribers: You don’t need to do anything to start getting the new Substack newsletter. Midlife Musings will be completely free and will arrive directly to your inbox each month. If you want more content, monthly tranquility tools, and a chance to connect with a community of like-hearted women who share our midlife dreams, there’s an option to become a paid member on Substack. Keep an eye out for your Midlife Musings welcome email and the first edition of the Midlife Musings newsletter coming in March. Pssst, I have a few posts waiting there for you when you arrive.

I’m thrilled to create this new, tranquil space where we can share and grow together. Midlife Musings on Substack is more than just a newsletter—it’s a chance to feel seen and to navigate this beautiful stage of life side by side. And, I have SO much to share with you. Honestly, I’m kinda in love with 50!

This blog space will transition to Substack on February 20 and although I’ll miss connecting here, I look forward to reimagining this space with you over on Substack. Thanks for sharing your attention with me, being part of my blogaversary, and joining me on this midlife journey. I’m over the moon grateful for your presence in my life!

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour Podcast #623: 2023 Year in Review

Subscribe in your favorite podcast app such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon.

Visit kimberlywilson.com/podcast for more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.
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Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. —Søren Kierkegaard

Hello dear reader. I hope you’re finding a gentle landing spot in this new year.

Longtime blog readers may recall my “weeks in review” turned “months in review” turned “season in review” over the years. Now there’s an annual Year in Review.

This reflection exercise allows me to stay accountable, set and review goals, celebrate, and note what needs adjustment.

Below is a list of my year’s experiences in no particular order. There’s also a brief reflection and resources to support us moving into the new year.

To compile this information I reviewed my planner, monthly dreams, birthday exercise (here’s mine from 2021), goodreads app, ballet class platforms, and photos. Needless to say, it’s a process!

Consider your own 2023 list. Look for patterns, wins, challenges, boundaries, and those sweet moments in between. Although this year may have been challenging, you may just rediscover some gems when you compile your own Year in Review.

Oh, and here’s an Instagram reel with heaps of photos from 2023.

Year’s Experiences Top 10

Hosted 30+ Coterie events including an in-person tea party
Won 1st place for Les Sylphides in the International Adult Ballet Festival’s Beginner Classical Category (more photos and Instagram reel)
Turned 50!
Celebrated Gizmo’s 16th birthday with a DC staycation
Featured as Ms. December in a ballet calendar
Made simplification shifts (clothing line example)
Traveled to Paris twice (here’s one trip and another)
Released the TDJ balletcore collection
Created Tranquility Salon monthly membership
Revealed my new book’s cover (now I need to write it!)

More Experiences in Random Order

Had another hip surgery
Collaborated with amazing clients
Booked flights for postponed retreat in Borneo with Borneo Orangutan Survival
Went to Paris with Mama Wilson
Took 300+ ballet classes
Released the Tranquility Within: Mental Health Course
Performed in two group pieces at the International Adult Ballet Festival (one en pointe)
Released new Tea with Kimberly videos
Traveled to NYC for three private sessions with my teachers
Enjoyed 10 live jazz shows (four in NYC, one in Paris, five in DC)
Spent a weekend in NYC with my friend Jenn
Hosted my final pet loss support session and virtual retreats
Hours of physical therapy
Took a 16-week pointe class with Broche Ballet
Danced through 50+ private virtual lessons
Joined Kathryn Morgan and friends in NYC and Philly for ballet weekends
Made dozens of Pigs & Pugs Project micro-grants
Hosted one TDJ Style Pop-Up, the 600th Podcast Soiree, four virtual retreats, Pink Friday, and Fall Inspiration
Sent 250(ish) snail mail love notes
Released 26 podcast episodes
Sent 30 newsletter Love Notes
Received my first AARP snail mail, oh my!
Attended many therapy-related trainings
Enjoyed dozens of tea dates with friends
Celebrated 19 years with my partner Tim
Planned and launched Coterie 2024 (doors close 1/13)
Read only 18 of 40 books in Goodreads Reading Challenge (bought dozens more!)
Updated Living Tranquility: TDJ Tenets digital course
Worked with a beloved support team
Traveled between DC and WV dozens of times
Celebrated my dad’s 80th in Oklahoma
Dabbled in more Instagram reels
Saw two Harry Styles shows in Paris
Donated 10K to charity—Pigs & Pugs Project, Borneo Orangutan Survival, 1% for the Planet

Reflection

What Worked Well for Me in 2023? Hosting the Coterie, trimming my offerings, full psychotherapy practice, a bit of travel, virtual private ballet sessions and group classes, second hip surgery, creating digital courses and the Salon, ate more salads (in wraps), hired amazing support, finalized a new book cover.

What Didn’t Work for Me in 2023? Lack of mobility for a month after hip surgery, my therapist of nine years retired and booked a one-way ticket to Italy, I lost my signature ring (Tim found it five months later), reading was hard for some reason, challenges managing physical pain, not completing online courses, didn’t create as much content as I’d hoped, didn’t complete new book draft, exhausted often, excessive vet visits and senior pet needs, brain fog.

What Did I Learn About Myself Last Year? I need more rest and simplicity in my life.

How Did My Goals for 2023 Unfold? I achieved more than 3/4 of my Year’s Dreams list. Released 25 podcasts, created digital courses, had a meaningful 50th birthday, had the band around my femur removed, nurtured the Coterie, streamlined my website (thanks Mara!), gave a proud performance of Les Sylphides, and took trips to Paris. A few that I didn’t meet and are still on my radar: read 40 books, solid pirouettes at the barre and in the center, daily greens.

My 2024 Year’s Dreams: complete and release Advanced Tranquility book, healthy pugs, send monthly love notes (sign up here), new website, increase color on my plate and eat more veggies/whole foods, learn and perform a made-for-me ballet solo to La Vie en Rose at the International Adult Ballet Festival, get back en pointe consistently, nurture my Coterie loves and clients, incorporate more play and relaxation time, create an “Embrace Your Inner Parisienne” micro-course, finish a few e-courses I’ve signed up for, donate to support orangutans, pigs, and pugs, create AM writing time, create content for you (starting a Substack soon!).

Wrap-Up: Overall 2023 was an okay year. Ballet continued to be a dominate presence along with my therapy practice, the Coterie, and pug caregiving. I see this continuing into the new year and hope to make more space to write, cuddle pugs, and read fireside (or by twinkle light).

My word/theme for 2024 is attention. What about you? May 2024 be filled with time and space for what matters most to you! Bisous. x

Resources

40 New Year’s Resolutions Ideas
How to Create Your Personal Year End Review
22 Ways to Ensure 2022 is the Year You Supercharge Your Career
How to Make 2022 Your Best Financial Year Yet
22 of our Favorite Healthy Ways to Welcome 2022
5 Tips to Meet Your New Year’s Resolutions
My 2019 Year in Review
My 2020 Year in Review
My 2021 Year in Review
My 2022 Year in Review
Are New Year’s Resolutions Powerful or Pointless?
5 Science-Backed Strategies for Nailing Your New Year’s Resolutions
Pick Your Nudge Word
7 Daily Habits That’ll Improve Your Mental Health
Tea with Kimberly Video on 6 Tips for the New Year
Ezra Klein Podcast on Attention

Welcome to a brand new year! How’s it feeling so far? Slow and steady over here.

On New Year’s Day I spent 4 hours (!) in ballet classes and, yes, am incredibly sore and also most grateful for this beautiful movement practice.

I’m still in reflection and dreaming mode. You, too? There’s no rush!

While working on next Monday’s special Year in Review podcast, I made this Instagram reel sharing a variety of 2023’s tranquility-infused highlights. In the podcast I’ll also share how I had to “save me from myself” by signing up for this week’s five-day ballet intensive. Details to come on that one!

For now, please join me for a gentle dose of inspiration for the year ahead and a peek into the Coterie on Sunday, January 7 at 6 pm ET.

Save your spot HERE.

Bring your journal, pens, a cuppa tea, and an open heart! Show up live if you can. I’ll also send a replay within 48 hours of our gathering.

Cheers to a fresh start filled with possibility (similar to every single day—and moment—of our lives). Bisous. x

Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and settle in for this heartfelt musing.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #622: A Holiday Message

Subscribe in your favorite podcast app such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon.

Visit kimberlywilson.com/podcast for more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

Tranquility Salon: Virtual Tranquility Treats Subscription
January is filled with journal prompts, a private podcast on welcoming the new year, a guided meditation to help you welcome the new year, PLUS a bonus Spotify playlist, a nourishing recipe, and a repeating bonus monthly planning workbook! Only $9/month.
Coterie Waitlist with Special 12/29 Early Bird Bonus
Digital Courses

Let’s Connect

Guess who’s Ms. December in the new Broche Ballet 2024 calendar? Ha, I never thought I’d be a calendar girl! As you may know, I pushed my limits to progress en pointe simply to wear that sparkly pink tutu and tiara in this summer’s International Adult Ballet Festival group performance. I mean, whatever motivates us, right?!

Live pink and cheers to new adventures at 50!

It’s never, ever too late.

Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and tune in!

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #621: Your Big Vision

Subscribe in your favorite podcast app such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon.

Visit kimberlywilson.com/podcast for more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

Coterie Waitlist: Early Bird Bonus

Digital Courses

Tranquility Salon: Virtual Tranquility Treats Subscription

Our Guest: Britt Bravo

Britt Bravo is a Big Vision coach and copywriter who helps creatives and changemakers clarify and communicate their Big Vision for their work in the world. She has worked at the intersection of personal growth, the arts, social change, and communications for 20+ years.

Find Our Guest

• Website: https://brittbravo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbravo/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittbravo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittebravoPrevious podcasts with Britt:
• #166 (2009) https://kimberlywilson.com/podcasts/tranquility-du-jour-166-do-gooding-having-fun-with-britt-bravo/
• #239 (2012) https://kimberlywilson.com/podcasts/tranquility-du-jour-239-juicy-blogging/
• #466 (2019) https://kimberlywilson.com/podcasts/tranquility-du-jour-466-change-vision-connection/

Mentioned in the Show

• 31-day low impact Pahla B workout series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxEW_OukMMsp_MnPj5C1rMBiBMFLhYr-S&feature=shared
• 30-day Yoga with Adrienne series, Center: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-Uzx-IzGg48K4aHGyBwtPh7Sw
• 5-Course Inspired Leadership Specialization by Case Western Reserve University (available via Coursera): https://www.coursera.org/specializations/inspired-leadership
• https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/this-is-way-you-need-to-write-down-your-goals-for-faster-success.html  “You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.”
• https://blog.trello.com/science-backed-reasons-you-shouldnt-share-your-goalsA Dominican University study found that more than 70% of participants who sent a weekly progress report to a friend reported successful goal achievement, compared to only 35% of participants who kept their goals to themselves and didn’t write them down.
• Coterie Waitlist Early Bird Bonus

Let’s Connect

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Share a review on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, or Goodreads and you may hear it shared on the show. And, I’d love to send you snail mail as a thank you! Details here.

You know, those small moments when our biology is in a place of connection or regulation cueing our nervous system to feel safe or calm.

Some of my glimmers include a cozy cup of matcha, a hot bath, time with a friend who really sees me, pug cuddles on the couch, a good book by candlelight, clothing that feels good on my skin, and watching leaves gently drift to the ground.

Embracing the concept of glimmers helps us savor the present, find joy in life’s simple pleasures, and cultivate a more positive perspective. By focusing on these tiny pockets of joy, you can help reduce stress and anxiety, offering a sense of tranquility and mindfulness.

Below you’ll find an assortment of my recent glimmers!

this new-to-me handmade vintage coat picked up for $40

this pretty rose matcha latte

my favorite writing books

peonies, pointe shoes, and a french rose candle

new faux fireplace for my office

annual nyc girls’ weekend ballet with jenn (we met at a 2007 jivamukti teacher training)

dance time with monica (we met in our first round of grad school circa 2003)

pretty dining experience at ladybird in nyc

santa pics for the pups

Plus a reminder to acknowledge and be gentle with yourself when things are hard and a story about how “Memaw” got lost on an Amtrak train to NYC.

Grab your journal, a cuppa tea, and settle in for this heartfelt musing.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #620: Looking Back

Subscribe in your favorite podcast app such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon.

Visit kimberlywilson.com/podcast for more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

Digital Courses Now Open
Tranquility Salon: Virtual Tranquility Treats Subscription
December is filled with journal prompts, a private podcast on 10 ways to care for yourself right now, a guided meditation to help you reflect on the year, PLUS a bonus Spotify playlist, nourishing recipe, and a repeating bonus monthly planning workbook! Only $9/month.
Coterie Waitlist

In October I spent four days in Paris (here’s a fun Instagram Reel) and I wanted to give you a peek into the experience.

Above is what I packed into my carry-on: rolled all-noir clothing (mostly TDJ), a ring light for the Virtual Retreat, toiletries, Coterie workbook, ballet slippers and tights.

Below are peeks into: my Airbnb, journal writing at my first sidewalk cafe, a trip to the Book Bar at the Grand Amour Hotel, a ballet class in French at The Dance Center of the Marais, yummy gnocchi following class at a sidewalk cafe, grounds of a museum, a stop into Repetto where I picked up a dance shoe bag, a vegan donut at a new-to-me cafe called Boneshaker, my Virtual Retreat set up, an early morning in Montmartre where I stopped for a photo of La Maison Rose, pretty pink roses picked up at the nearby flower market, a painting with coffee class with Anna Gorvits, and a view from my window on the flight home.

Paris always refills my soul and the journaling at that pink sidewalk cafe jumpstarted my journey toward simplification. I’ll be sharing more about that experience shortly. For now, thank you for joining me for my final virtual retreat and enjoying this jaunt in spirit with me. May it inspire your own Parisian dreams.