What does it mean to reimagine your life in midlife? For me, it meant giving myself permission to be happy, and then changing the life I was living so I could live a life I love. A life that feels authentic to the person I am.
Some of the changing was big and scary. Like leaving my second career of teaching and retiring solo at 59. Or traveling around the world solo for 70 days. Others were small and scary. Like starting this blog. And still others were big fun and mind-expanding. Like taking classes and learning new skills.
I’ve been learning about making bourbon since May, as a 61-year-old whiskey intern. I proposed an unpaid, 12-week “Midlife Reimagined Apprenticeship” to a local distillery, and instantly took on the bourbon geek label. Today is the last day of my internship, though not the last of my days at the distillery. I’ve learned so much, and am looking forward to continued partnerships. My journey from blackboard to bourbon isn’t over yet.
























All images from thehotgoddess.com retired_rewired_inspired.
Happy Friday, all. May your imagination run loose, your mind stay open, and your heart dwell in never-ending possibilities.
If you enjoyed this please remember to Share, Like, Follow, Comment, Subscribe. (This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post. Thanks so much for your support!) 🥃
I love this! I think women don’t often look in themselve for happy. They see happy all around them and that makes everything good. By making some changes for me, everyone is still happy and I’m now great… does that make sense? LOL
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Makes total sense, and good for you! I love that you made the changes that were right for you. Thank you so much for reading, and for your supportive comment.❤
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I’ve said before, you’re such a goddess! I think I might have to have you guest blog for me, if you’re interested. You’re just too much of a goddess not to showcase. Let me know and I’ll email you some details! xo
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Oh thank you, Libby! What an honor! I’d love to❤. I so appreciate your continued support and encouragement!
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Yay! I’m on vacay in VT right now but I’ll email you on Tuesday 😘
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Good for you. So many people are afraid of change and will stay unhappy because of that fear. Especially women. You made some brave choices to become the new you.
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Thank you so much for your support! You’re right…I don’t know why we women seem to be more willing to stay unhappy. Perhaps because we tell ourselves that everyone else’s happiness is more important than our own. It took me way too long to make different choices.
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Awesome!!
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Thank you so much!❤
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Congratulations! You inspire me!
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You are very kind and I so appreciate your supportive comments, Laura❤ Thank you so much!
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Thanks for being a good example Natalie.
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Thank you for being in my corner, Brad🤗
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My pleasure Natalie. 😍
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Can’t believe it’s 12 weeks already. Looking forward to what comes next in your burboun geekdom. Looking forward to new things. 🙂
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Thank you, Matt, I can’t believe it either. More geekdom to come for sure🥃🥃. Thanks for following along and encouraging!❤
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Great post and congratulations on your new venture, good luck!
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Thank you so much!❤
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Good for reimagining yourself but even better for blogging about it and inspiring others.
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Thank you so much Geoff. I’m grateful for the support❤
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You rock lady! Love this post. 💖
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Thank you so much Michele!❤
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My pleasure. 😀
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Yay that is wonderful and you go. We are never too old to try new things as we are life long learners and good for you to dare and take a step into that direction. Feel proud and empowered, following your calling. At 57 I understand about some of those scary changes and my transition started 3 years ago. The scariest things often lead to the most beautiful destinations.
Namaste 💙🙏🏼
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Thank you for such a lovely and supportive comment! Transforming our lives takes courage, for sure. Kudos to you for starting your brave change journey in your 50s!
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Thank you kindly and you are most welcome. Have a beautiful weekend.
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From blackboard to bourbon. I love that. Great post, Natalie. ❤️
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Thank you my friend❤
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You’re welcome, Natalie. ❤
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CONGRATS! It seems like just yesterday you were starting this journey! Do you feel like an “expert?”
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Thank you! I know a lot more than I did before, and feel confident on the distillery floor, but wouldn’t say I feel like an “expert.” Thanks so much for the support!
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[…] rewrite our story by recreating a picture of what we want to be and who we are? Can we really reimagine life? Can we paint over? Start again? […]
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Have you always had a taste for whiskey ? What about the process do you enjoy the most ?
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Hi Matt! Thank you so much for reading and commenting ❤. I began enjoying bourbon whiskey in my 40s. I’m fascinated by the way filtering and proofing can completely transform the product.
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Nice. So the science behind it intrigues you.
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