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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.
Women as Pilgrims: Focusing on the Next Step
Pilgrimages are increasingly popular, and women at midlife and beyond are embracing these journeys. Meet two of these travelers.
Dorian Martin
Oct 19, 20246 min read
Calling ‘Cut’ to Life’s Drama by Embodying Peace
Life seems filled with more drama and chaos, but does it have to be? Maybe it’s time for older women to be the leaders of peace in our world
Dorian Martin
Oct 5, 20245 min read
I Start Wondering Taking a Summer Break
By Dorian Martin Founder of ISW In what has become an I Start Wondering tradition, our team is taking a fallow period to recharge,...
Dorian Martin
Jul 13, 20241 min read
7 Tips for Getting Unstuck
Older women may find they’re getting stuck during life’s major transitions. Many strategies exist to get out of the muck and back into life.
Rhonda Collins
Jun 15, 20248 min read
The Art of Ritual: Embracing Life's Sacredness
Sometimes, women’s lives can seem like a gushing stream of responsibilities. However, creating a ritual can add sacredness to life’s tasks.
Brenda Riojas
Apr 27, 20244 min read
Eight Servings of Spiritual Hydration
Daily to-dos can quickly consume our energy—causing us to suffer from spiritual dehydration. Here are 8 ways to quench that thirst.
Rhonda Collins
Apr 13, 20248 min read
Wheee-ee-ee! Savoring Each Moment, Finding Springtime Joys
The changing season provides an opportunity for older women to immerse themselves in delight and tap into their creativity.
Brenda Riojas
Mar 2, 20243 min read
Kris Hirst: Creativity, Technology, Resilience, Learning
Having cancer doesn’t need to derail a lifetime of creative efforts. Take Kris Hirst, who continues to explore art’s cutting edge.
Mara Soloway
Feb 3, 20246 min read
Embracing Curiosity About Solitude
Some women fear loneliness as we age, even when rarely alone. Perhaps it’s time to embrace solitude, which is solo time with a purpose.
Dorian Martin
Jan 20, 20245 min read
It’s Time: You Do You!
As an older woman, the time is right to decide based on what we
want instead of others’ expectations. How'd it feel for you to do you?
Rhonda Collins
Jan 13, 20246 min read
Using Barbie & The Evil Queen to Recalibrate Our Stories
By Dorian Martin, I Start Wondering Founder Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash As women, we often let ourselves be bound by stories....
Dorian Martin
Jan 6, 20246 min read
Lessons About Graceful Aging from an Elder
A set of carefully crafted guidelines for life can help older women get past the common refrain of “I’m too old for change!”
Dorian Martin
Dec 16, 20231 min read
How Glimmers Can Lift Our Spirits
The holiday season can be challenging for some women. Glimmers offer an anecdote by helping us focus attention on hope and joy.
Kaye Olsson
Dec 9, 20233 min read
Finding Our Passion as We Age
Midlife is an important time for women to get clear about what’s important in life, including committing to self-care and finding our passio
Brenda Grays
Nov 25, 20231 min read
Importance of Relaxation as We Age
How would life feel to be truly relaxed? Maybe it would mean that older women could enjoy being a human BEing, instead of a human DOing.
Dorian Martin
Nov 4, 20231 min read
Saying Yes to Saying No
We think of “No!” as a word relished by two-year-olds. But it’s time for older women to embrace this word to open new possibilities.
Kaye Olsson
Oct 21, 20234 min read
Creating a Milestone Birthday to Remember
Celebrating milestone birthdays--whether turning 50 or living longer than our mother did--can be a mental or emotional hurdle. Instead, let’
Kaye Olsson
Sep 30, 20231 min read
Expanding Upon a Summer of Letting Go
The summer break offered important lessons about releasing expectations of what “should be” and being present in the moment.
Dorian Martin
Sep 23, 20234 min read
Taking Summer Off to Recharge
By Dorian Martin, I Start Wondering Founder Recently, I found a picture of my maternal grandparents’ home. That picture brought back so...
Dorian Martin
Jun 24, 20232 min read
The Life-Affirming Benefit of Savoring Stillness
Today’s culture encourages—even demands—continual movement. However, embracing stillness offers important gifts and perspectives as we age.
Kaye Olsson
Jun 10, 20233 min read
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