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Exploration
The Exploration category invites women who’ve reached midlife and beyond to embrace curiosity and possibility. Through personal stories and reflections, you’ll discover inspiration to try new experiences, travel to fresh destinations and uncover hidden passions. Each column encourages developing personal strength—aka sovereignty— through reflection, growth, creativity, and adventure, proving that life’s third chapter is the perfect time to challenge the cultural paradigm of aging.
The Transformative, Soul-Healing Power of Grief
Caregiving for a parent puts family dynamics under a microscope. What it this experience is a chance to understand and improve these relationships?
Danielle Legg
Oct 25, 20255 min read
A Lesson in Gaining My Sense of Balance
The lessons that we learn from our mothers have far-reaching ripple effects. Case in point: A first trek on a bike without training wheels.
Mara Soloway
Oct 18, 20255 min read
Panning for Gold – The Power of Journaling
The act of journaling can significantly enrich our lives through offering a place to record dreams, reflections, and context from our day.
Brenda Riojas
Oct 11, 20254 min read
Novels That Highlight Women’s Historic Struggles
Recently, it seems that women’s history is being rewritten, so we offer book recommendations that shed light on women’s historical contributions.
Rhonda Collins
Oct 4, 20254 min read
Slowing Down Time as We Age
Finding a sense of flow through being present for life and embracing fun can help us enjoy more meaningful moments in life.
Kaye Olsson
Sep 27, 20254 min read
Building New Chapter Beyond Generational Fear, Hate
As I Start Wondering’s new chapter begins, we’re seeing how the past informs the present—and how different choices can create a hopeful future.
Dorian Martin
Sep 20, 20255 min read
Revisit: Chaos Layers, Birds, and Finding My “Tempo Giusto”
Sometimes we need to commit to creativity. Dare yourself to embrace a budding passion by investing time and money, and enjoy a little chaos.
Brenda Riojas
Aug 9, 20254 min read
Revisit: Coaching to Support Older Women’s Shifting Lives
When the gears in women’s lives start to grind or fall apart, turning to a coach may help put those pieces back together in a meaningful way
Danielle Legg
Aug 2, 20253 min read
Revisit: Preserving Our Stories for Posterity: Artist and Writer Carolyn Dahl on Archiving
We come to a point in life when we contemplate what do with our “stuff.” We can learn from one woman’s quest to archive her life’s work.
Mara Soloway
Jul 12, 20259 min read
Revisit: Being Alone Doesn’t Have to Mean Being Lonely
Many older women find themselves spending more time alone. But by taking
appropriate steps, being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely.
Rhonda Collins
Jul 5, 20256 min read
4 Steps for Facing Life’s Wildfires
World events feel like a scorching wildfire. We offer four steps to consider so you can avoid being burned or spreading the flames.
Dorian Martin
May 31, 20256 min read
5 Tips for Navigating Uncertainty
We’re living in a rapidly changing world, which can prompt regular feelings of anxiety.
Here are five tips to navigate uncertainty
Kaye Olsson
May 17, 20255 min read
Bucket List: Your Map to Satisfaction and Adventure
Poet Mary Oliver asked, “…what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” If you’re unsure, brainstorm a bucket list.
Rhonda Collins
May 10, 20254 min read
Coaching: Setting a Goal and Creating Boundaries
Personal growth is a journey requiring setting priorities, developing new behaviors, and establishing (and maintaining) personal boundaries.
Danielle Legg
May 3, 20253 min read
2 Trump Administration Decisions May Impact Older Women
The Trump Administration made two policy decisions on April 24 that could profoundly impact older women’s health and finances.
Dorian Martin
Apr 26, 20253 min read
Carolyn Dahl and the Emotional Journey of Archiving
Women and creativity, older women and creativity, life review, Carolyn Dahl, I Start Wondering and creativity, I Start Wondering Conversations, older women and archiving, older women’s creativity, older women’s history, women’s history, creating a personal archive, emotions and archiving, Brenda Riojas
ISW Conversation
Apr 19, 20254 min read
Study: Older Women Vulnerable to Heat, Humidity
New research finds that high heat and humidity are especially hazardous for older women’s health, making it important to take proper precaut
Research
Apr 5, 20252 min read
Finding Sovereignty by Meeting My Personal Archetypes
Looking at personal archetypal patterns can help women understand their choices so they can more fully claim sovereignty over their own life
Dorian Martin
Mar 29, 20256 min read
Gaining a Place in History: Pauletta Blueitt
We rarely consider that we're making history throughout our lives. Meet Pauletta Blueitt, a trailblazer who had a key role after 9/11.
Womankind
Mar 22, 20256 min read
My Mother Helped Change Women’s History
The lives women enjoy today are built on earlier generations’ accomplishments. Example: Rhonda Collins and her mother, a Rosie the Riveter.
Rhonda Collins
Mar 15, 20256 min read
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