The Next Half Blog
The Next Half’s popular Blogs and Audios discuss issues facing so many of us in mid-life.
Whilst underlining a message of inspiration, I use humorous and personal anecdotes, thoughtful missives and helpful tips to address many topics we encounter in midlife. Through sharing my experiences and expertise, my goal is to entertain whilst providing value and positivity.
RENAMING THE FAMOUS REINDEER: HOW WE CAN REMEMBER TO HELP OURSELVES
Listen to this blog As the end of 2021 is approaching, I thought this is a perfect time to summarise some of the most popular subjects discussed in The Next Half blogs throughout this past year. I also thought it might be jolly to have some festive fun and recall...
WHY OUR SELF-BELIEF MAY REDUCE IN MIDLIFE
Listen to this blog It’s counter-intuitive that women’s self-belief may actually reduce in mid-life. By that time, we’ve existed for over 40 years and have certainly been enriched and emboldened from life experiences. However, I believe that self-belief does erode in...
WHY THIS SEASON’S FASHION TRENDS ARE PERFECT FOR ME … AND MAYBE YOU TOO.
Listen to this blog Let’s discuss current fashion trends for this autumn. I’m excited to start this discussion as I feel this could be my favourite fashion season EVER. These trends are absolutely perfect for me… and maybe for you too. This season is all about...
TOP TIPS TO WIN AT AN INTERVIEW
Listen to this blog Let's discuss some top tips of how to win at an interview. These tips can be useful if you're a recent grad looking for your first job or a "returner" looking to refresh your interviewing skills. Be prepared: Do your research on the company and the...
ADVICE FOR RECENT UNIVERSITY GRADS LOOKING FOR JOBS
Listen to this blog This blog relays some practical advice for recent graduates and their families on ways to best succeed with the job hunt. These suggestions offer valuable insights to get on the career ladder, and also some helpful hints for peace of mind. Let's...
TRUE GRIT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? IS IT TEACHABLE?
Listen to this blog Today let’s talk about True Grit. It’s a compliment to tell someone they have true grit. It’s not something we hear very often. But what does that mean? What are the aspects to having True Grit? And is it teachable? Watching the Olympics got me...
TOP TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE OVERWHELM
Today let’s talk about overwhelm and provide some top tips for managing it. It may seem counter-intuitive to discuss being overwhelmed during the summer months, a period of holiday time for many. But it’s not. This is the perfect time for three reasons. First, holiday...
INSIDE SCOOP: LIVING NEXT DOOR TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Listen to this blog Let’s discuss The Tennis Championship, Wimbledon. It seems appropriate to write about this topic today, both because it’s timely as we are entering the Finals’ weekend of this tennis fortnight, and also because I'm a local. As a local of SW19 for...
TOP TIPS TO OPTIMISE OUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Listen to this blog Let’s discuss top tips to optimise the skin care routine for us women over aged 50. Hold on… is re-labelling needed? Perhaps we should call ourselves “over aged 30”? It’s sneaky but also true as we are indeed over aged 30.. just by two decades or...
HOW TO SOLVE THE ‘WHAT’S NEXT?’ WORRY
Listen to this blog Many of us are now asking ourselves “What’s Next…?”. Let’s discuss that loaded question and propose ways to address the worries that loom when facing an undefined path. Most of us have reached a phase in our lives where our “constant” is changing....
EXTRA ADDITION: LIST OF TOP 100 MUST-SEE FILMS (CHOSEN BY THE NEXT HALF READERS)
Thank you, amazing The Next Half readers, for your enthusiastic contributions and replies from last week’s blog! The original Top 10 List has now grown to 100 entries! Talk about fabulous engagement! So, here it is….. (please note this list is ranked in no particular...
MUST-SEE FILMS FOR FAMILY BONDING TIME
We could all use an escape right now. Let’s forget about the current state of world affairs, politics, and our worries closer to home. Instead, this week let’s figure out how to slip away - if just for a little bit - so we can recharge, relax, and boost our moods....
WORRIED FOR OUR YOUNGER GEN
Today, The Next Half will have a change of tone due to a pressing and timely concern. We continue our mission to provide weekly fodder to encourage further thought, reflection, and conversation on the issues we face. Sometimes we do this with positivity and...
MOST USEFUL FREE WEBSITES
Listen to this blog Are you looking for free, useful websites to further expand your interests and your curiosities? Then today’s blog is for you. For some readers, the process of navigating the internet’s vast resources is simply too overwhelming, too time consuming...
HOW TO CARRY ON DESPITE POOR HEALTH
Let’s talk about health. Specifically, how to carry on despite poor health. There is one skill that we all already possess that could improve our health if we simply learn to emphasise it. If absorbing this short article can increase our chance for prolonged good...
PRACTICAL POINTERS FOR HOW TO SUCCEED AT MOTHERHOOD
Let’s discuss some recurring themes in parenting. It’s a dense topic, but one that allows us to gain from our reflections. From there let’s home in on some practical pointers on how we can succeed at motherhood, no matter the age of our children. Please brew some tea...
NEW DISCOVERIES: CONFESSION WITH A TWIST AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED “NEW” HOBBY
I have some recent discoveries to share. First, the concept that a personal fault can be a blessing in disguise. Second, my new favourite hobby which I highly recommend. Let’s start with a confession, my admission that unearthed these two discoveries. My confession...
INVISIBILITY, DONKEYS AND MANY HATS: THE PLIGHT OF STAY-AT-HOME CARERS.
Listen to this blog This topic is applicable to you if you are currently at home providing an important function for your family unit but are not earning an income, such as raising your kids and/or caring for an elderly parent. Like many of you, I have spent longer in...
FRIEND GROUPS 2: RE-EVALUATION AND HELPFUL TIPS
Listen to this blog Last week, The Next Half discussed why we all need a Friend Group. I’m excited and thankful to say that you, my lovely Readers, responded as asked and brilliantly contributed to the light-hearted list provided. Together we reached the goal of...
FRIEND GROUPS: TOP REASONS WHY WE BOTHER
Listen to this blog Friendship is a huge topic. I plan to discuss it regularly in this blog because of the importance friends play in enriching our lives. Today, let’s kick off and discuss “Friend Groups”, a term used to define the mates we most enjoy, who sustain our...
LETTING GO: A MUST FOR THE BIG WIN
Listen to this blog Let’s talk about “Letting Go” of our adult children. As our kids get older and leave the nest, we parents face lots of issues. We have the practical side of preparing and helping them physically move out, and then the emotional minefield of dealing...
TECH SAVVINESS LADDER – PART 2:
Embarrassing Moments, The Power of Learning, and the 3 “Be-Awares” In my previous blog, I discussed some issues we aged 50+ women face regarding social media. I’ve hopefully convinced you of the benefits of ascending The Tech Savviness Ladder. Although facing our...
TECH SAVVINESS LADDER- PART 1
I gulp and hesitate at the thought of tackling the subject of social media. I am not a techie person. I have always held an aversion to tech, even when working on a trading floor a million years ago. My heartbeat increases thinking about social media. Then it becomes...
SEVEN HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO BE HEALTHIER
What’s with the mysterious weight gain of middle age? I wonder if there’s really a magic shrinking spell that lurks in my clothes closet. Is it possible that I’m not growing, but that my clothes are simply shrinking? Couldn’t I just pretend that’s the case…? Diet and...
INSOMNIA: STOP STRESSING!
Insomnia is a nightmare infliction that hits many of us in middle age. A combination of the menopause (oh, don’t get me started on the night sweats!), reduced kidney function, general stresses of life, decreased exercise during the day and sometimes underlying health...
ARE WE REALLY READY TO SOCIALISE NOW?
REFLECTIONS ON SOME LESSONS FROM LOCKDOWN…AND THE EMERGING TREND TOWARDS BLANKET BLAME. After a year of multiple Lockdowns, social distancing, and isolation…. we are almost free to gather in groups again in our gardens…. But do we want to? Yes, is the first answer....
INTRODUCING…THE NEXT HALF!
Listen to this blog Hi Everyone! Welcome to The Next Half. The aim of this blog is to raise discussions on issues facing so many of us women aged around 50+. Humorous personal anecdotes, thoughtful missives and helpful hints will be shared to relay the powerful...