your stories
At The 40+ Collective, we’re creating a library of real stories from real women navigating midlife with courage, resilience and honesty. Your story could be exactly what another woman needs to read today.
The Scottish Beauty Secret
People ask me what face cream I use. I tell them my beauty secret is a Scottish loch and a complete disregard for sensible temperatures.
Time Does Heal
When my abusive marriage ended on a very bad note after more than 35 years, I thought I would feel relieved. In some ways I did but mostly I felt lost.
Back in jeans by Christmas
My goal is to get back in my jeans for Christmas after I gained about 50 pounds, most of it on my belly, following an operation on my back.
Nowhere else to live
Think about every bite, every drop and every medicine you swallow. Looking after yourself is a responsibility and your future self deserves it.
Why share your story?
Sharing stories creates connection in a unique way. Reading someone else’s experience reminds us that we’re not the only ones who have faced challenges, doubted ourselves, settled for less or changed direction later in life. Sometimes the very thing you’ve lived through is exactly what someone else needs to hear and prompts them to be a bit braver and make positive changes.
Sharing your story isn’t about having all the answers or presenting the perfect version of your life; it’s about being honest, raw and realistic. Your story doesn’t have to be extraordinary, it just has to be yours.
What kind of story?
Any life experience that helped you grow, heal or rediscover yourself. Your story might be about:
- Overcoming anxiety, depression, PTSD or burnout
- Rebuilding confidence and self-worth
- Divorce, separation or starting over
- Breaking bad habits or addiction
- Career change, redundancy or launching a business
- Menopause and midlife transitions
- Learning to love and accept your changing body
- Health challenges or recovery from illness
- Empty nest experiences
- Finding purpose after a difficult chapter
- Weight loss or weight gain
How many words?
How to share your story
Simply email Cookie at cookie@the40pluscollective.com
