Real Life Update: Navigating Midlife, Identity Shifts, and Multigenerational Living

Today’s post is just a quick hello.

After chatting with a friend last week, I realized it’s not just me feeling the weight of everything going on lately. So I thought it might be worth sharing, because chances are, you’re feeling it too.

I snapped a few photos of our yard the other day and thought, Wow, the grass looks amazing this year—lush, full, alive. But that hasn’t always been the case.

The past seven years in this house have had a mix of seasons. Some were full of joy and growth. Others? Marked by burnout, loss, and figuring things out all over again. Just like the grass, there were parts of me that thrived… and parts that didn’t.

Those parts needed time, care, and a whole lot of patience to come back to life. Growth doesn’t always look pretty or polished.

Sometimes it’s slow and messy. Like the bare spots in my lawn that refuse to fill in, or the progress that feels invisible. But with a little attention and some breathing room, even the worn-out areas can start to come back. 😉

There’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and definitely some tears in this house.

But through it all, I’ve learned what resilience really means. And what patience actually looks like in real life.

Right now, everything feels heavy. The world is loud and unpredictable. And the personal stuff? It’s just as intense.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re the only one feeling it, let me say this clearly:

You’re not alone.

I’m right there too—watching the end of my son’s high school chapter after four long, incredibly tough years. There’s pride, of course. But there’s also grief and a quiet, nagging question.

Who am I now that he’s done?

What happens when a big part of who you’ve been starts walking out the door?

Seven years ago, we said goodbye to four generations under one roof when my grandparents passed. Since then, life hasn’t slowed down. It’s sped up. Like, where has the time gone?

For a while, I didn’t recognize myself. The woman who used to know exactly what to post, write, or share suddenly wasn’t sure what her voice even sounded like.

But time chugged on and here we are!

Fourteen years.

That number stopped me recently in my tracks.

Fourteen years of multigenerational living. Of designing, building, adjusting. And yes, a whole lot of crying, laughing, and surviving under one roof with a full mix of generations and personalities.

For the last seven years, this house (and three generations) has carried the full weight of all that.

It’s been our safe haven, our battleground, our memory keeper, and our testing ground.

If these walls could talk… 😉

To the women who feel like they’re holding it all together.

To those whose homes meet everyone’s needs but their own.

To the ones navigating teen drama, aging parents, identity shifts, and the hormonal chaos of perimenopause—

I see you. You’re not invisible.

I know, because I am you. 🤷‍♀️

Not long ago, I wrote a post about what I wish I’d known before we started multigenerational living. A bunch of you reached out asking if I’d recommend it.

The short answer is yes—absolutely.

But only if you’ve got a plan, clear boundaries, and solid communication. Those things are non-negotiable.

And even if multigenerational living isn’t part of your story, if you’re just trying to navigate midlife, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Peace doesn’t show up on its own. You have to create it.
• Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re necessary. (And just so you know, I’ve become the boundary queen these last couple years. Total game-changer.)
• And menopause? Let’s just say HRT and I are in a committed relationship now.🫶

This home has seen a lot. So have I. And I know you have too. Whether you live with a big family or it’s just you and your crew, it all matters.

If you’re in the thick of it—midlife, life shifts, or figuring out who you are now—I hope this space reminds you that your story matters. Your mess still holds beauty. 🫶