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Midlife & Regret: How to Let Go and Move On

by Jennie Lannette

We’ve all had the if onlys. If only I had waited to get married. If only I had landed that job. If only I hadn’t let people treat me that way. It’s easy to look back on our lives with everything we know now and fall into regret or self-judgment. With years of experience behind us, our perspective sharpens, but it can also become unforgiving. Therapists call this hindsight bias: the tendency to evaluate past decisions with the clarity we didn’t have at the time. In midlife, when reflection feels almost inevitable, hindsight bias can make earlier choices seem flawed or shortsighted, even when they weren’t.

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Midlife

Aging in the Age of Social Media

by Peri Winkler

I tried to ignore it for as long as I could. But no matter how hard I tried, it slapped me dead in the face every time I looked in that damn mirror. I was aging. Not gradually, not subtly—but undeniably. The crow’s feet, the pesky bunny lines, the unwelcome age spots all conspired against me. But what unsettled me most was something harder to name. My entire countenance seemed to be changing. The longer I looked, the more unfamiliar I appeared. It was as if I were turning into someone else. Then one day, it hit me. There, between my sagging jowls, drooping brows, and receding hairline, I saw my grandpa Archibald staring right back at me. The realization landed with a mix of panic and disbelief. Suddenly, I had a flashback to the Brady Bunch episode when Jan Brady discovers she’s destined to look like her wacky, old Aunt Jenny—only this wasn’t a sitcom; it was my real-life reflection introducing me to someone I wasn’t quite ready to meet!

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Midlife

Weekend Reads: Midlife & Marriage

by The Style Team

Any married person will tell you, marriage takes work. Long after the vows are spoken and the honeymoon fades, the daily rhythm of partnership begins to reveal its true challenges. The small, ordinary moments—sharing a meal, managing bills, raising children, or simply navigating each other’s moods—this is where the real labor of love unfolds. Commitment isn’t just about staying together; it’s about choosing, again and again, to listen, to compromise, and to nurture the bond even when life feels heavy or routine. The following books will help you navigate the complexities of marriage in midlife, offering wisdom, humor, and practical strategies that don’t shy away from the hard stuff—distrust and infidelity, emotional distance, lack of communication, and the quiet resentments that build over time. Yet they also shine a light on what’s possible when couples commit to understanding one another more deeply, showing how even in the midst of midlife, couples can rediscover connection, rebuild trust, and create a relationship that feels more alive than ever before.

February 13, 2026

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The Silent Divorce

by Leslie Hargrove

A new phrase has quietly slipped into the cultural lexicon: “the silent divorce.” It doesn’t announce itself with slammed doors or drawn-out custody battles. And it rarely ripples through social circles with shockwaves. Instead, it arrives discreetly, almost politely, after years of private disentangling. And increasingly, it is women in midlife who are choosing this quieter exit out of marriage, one in which couples remain legally married and often under the same roof yet live emotionally and physically apart—not because the ending is painless, but because the spectacle of divorce feels unnecessary.

January 20, 2026

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Tips For Planning an Easy, Intimate Dinner Party

by Lisa Keeley

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us start to think about entertaining. Have you ever considered going beyond the basic potluck and throwing an intimate dinner party—something festive, maybe even a little glamorous—only to have feelings of overwhelm and self-doubt immediately quash your momentary excitement? Maybe your mind started questioning your cooking ability, those mismatched dishes, your small house, the cost, incompatible friends, and on and on. If so, you are not alone! Very few of us see Martha Stewart when we look in the mirror! But don’t close the book on hosting yet; there is good news! Creating a winning dinner party can be quite doable with some pre-planning, creativity, and relaxed expectations. As with almost any challenge we tackle in life, it’s all about breaking it down into small tasks. But before we do that, let’s consider the basic components of throwing a dinner party.

December 5, 2025

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Style

The Art of Successful Co-Parenting: 12 Tips

by Kelly McOmber

My former spouse (FS) and I have been divorced for nearly a decade and have mastered the art of co-parenting. And I say ART because that is exactly what it is. It has taken time, dedication, patience, and a delicate curation of emotions and expectations. The end result? A new friendship and partnership beyond my wildest dreams, and three well-adjusted teenage boys who have never had to witness the tragic, cruel, and selfish reality of most divorces.

November 11, 2025

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Is It Perimenopause? 13 Surprising Symptoms

by Bess Arrington

For ages, the menopausal journey has been shrouded in silence and taboo among women, as well as within the medical profession. Female reproductive health has long been stigmatized and dismissed, rooted in sexism, ageism, and a shocking lack of medical research and treatment. However, the tide is turning. Menopause is breaking out of the shadows and onto the main stage, complete with its own spotlight and microphone. Thanks to the tireless efforts of a new generation of empowered women tired of sweating in silence, menopause awareness is rapidly gaining momentum.

October 20, 2025

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Marriage Off Ramp: Life Beyond Betrayal

by Carly Hayes

My back hit the bathroom wall. I sank slowly into the corner, feeling the cold, hard tiles through my dark jeans. My ears buzzed as a mixture of wine and disbelief churned in the pit of my stomach. Hot tears stung my contacts and poured down my face. “Oh my God, no,” I kept repeating as if in a trance. He stared at me with wide eyes and a pale face, contrasting the bright purple bathroom walls. The color was “crocus,” to be exact. It was one of many color choices we had debated when buying our home a few years back, the house we now shared with our three children, tucked away in their bedrooms just feet from the drama that would soon blow their little lives to pieces.

September 8, 2025

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Clean Beauty Routines for Mature Skin

by Shauna Carmichael

As your body moves through the aging process, your skin often follows suit—becoming drier, more sensitive, and prone to unexpected changes. Prioritizing hydration, collagen support, barrier repair, and dark spot correction is essential to keeping your complexion healthy and radiant through this transition.

August 14, 2025

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Managing Childhood Trauma in Midlife

by Debbie Shepard

Childhood trauma occurs when an individual experiences one or more of what are known as adverse childhood experiences. These experiences include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction in which one might grow up around mental illness, divorce, domestic violence, an incarcerated relative, or substance abuse. The ACE study determined that those who experience adverse childhood experiences are more likely to present with a higher incidence of negative health and behavioral outcomes as adults. This study helped reveal the lifelong consequences of childhood trauma. We also know that trauma can impact the structure and neurochemistry of the brain, resulting in a more intense fear response.

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Midlife

Tortellini Pasta Salad

by The Foodie Girl

Looking for a delicious dish to enjoy over the holiday weekend? This tortellini pasta salad from Love & Lemons checks all the boxes: bursting with flavor, refreshingly light, and a breeze to whip up. This perfect summer salad features tender tortellini filled with cheese, crisp seasonal vegetables, and loads of fresh basil in a zesty Italian dressing. Feel free to finish it off with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or crumbled feta for an added savory note, along with a pinch of crushed red pepper for just the right kick!

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Natural Remedies for Perimenopause Relief

by Julie Cunningham

There’s no denying that perimenopause brings its share of challenges. Mood swings, heightened anxiety, and periods of depression are common, and nearly half of women in this stage experience disrupted sleep. If these symptoms begin to interfere with your daily routine or overall well-being, it may be time to connect with a counselor and your primary care provider. If you feel like you need a little extra support and prefer a botanical approach, you may want to consider herbal supplements. Backed by solid scientific research, certain botanicals have been shown to ease common symptoms of perimenopause, including stress, mood fluctuations, anxiety, and sleep issues. Some herbs even offer broader health benefits, so take a closer look to find what might work best for you.

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Health & Wellness

How to Beat the Bloat in Perimenopause

by Staci Gulbin

Few things can derail your day quite like a bloated belly. For many women navigating the hormonal shifts of perimenopause, digestive discomfort and stubborn weight gain have become all-too-familiar companions. Beyond the physical pressure, bloating can quietly chip away at your confidence, making even your favorite outfits look and feel uncomfortable. The good news? You are not alone, and there are plenty of lifestyle changes and effective strategies to help beat the bloat and get you back to feeling like yourself again—both inside and out.

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Health & Wellness

You’re Not Going Crazy, You’re Going Through Perimenopause

by Alexandra Sherman

Picture your hormonal cycles during your reproductive years as a kiddie-roller-coaster. You have predictable peaks and valleys, generally in regular intervals. If you track your periods during this time, they are usually the same length of days from the start of one cycle to the next. Enter perimenopause. Your adorable kiddie coaster is now one of those heart-stopping, stomach-dropping loop-de-loops. At one time, you could predict that one week out of the month when you had to pack your bags and move to a deserted island with a stockpile of tampons. Now, it’s as random as the wheel of fortune spinner with no polite warning!

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Friends in Midlife: How Many of Us Have Them?

by Laura Marino

Has it dawned on you that your free time outside of work has transformed into the most “me time” you’ve had in years? Sure, our children, parents, and pets still demand our time and attention, but those carefree nights out with girlfriends seem like a distant memory from a pre-kids, pre-elderly-parents, pre-pet era. Nowadays, your newfound freedom is filled with chores, endless phone scrolling, binge-watching the latest shows, or simply standing in a room trying to recall why you walked in there.

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Midlife

Women’s Health Risks After Menopause

by Yasmin Aghajan

As awareness of perimenopause and its symptoms continues to grow, the broader and more lasting impact of menopause on women’s health and longevity doesn’t get nearly enough attention. While estrogen deficiency during perimenopause is often linked to well-known symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, its long-term health implications—such as increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and weight gain—are frequently overlooked. Read on to learn more about the heightened health risks women face after menopause and what they can do to stay proactive and healthy.

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Health & Wellness

Black-Owned Beauty Brands

by The Beauty Editors

Black History Month reminds us to honor the many contributions of African-Americans, while also supporting their ever-growing community of entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. From nourishing hair and skin care products to gorgeous makeup brands and must-have accessories, we encourage you to buy from Black-owned businesses this month and all year long. By doing so, we acknowledge the profound impact of African-American culture and ensure the beauty industry reflects the richly diverse tapestry that makes us all truly beautiful.

February 20, 2025

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Marriage on the Rocks? Time to Netflix & Chill

by Rebecca Cullen

Certain terms are simply not in your vernacular when you’re married. In 2015, I called my single friend Debbi and said, this guy texted asking if I wanted to Netflix and chill tonight. Is there some meaning behind this that I don’t know about? Is Netflixing and chilling a thing?

February 10, 2025

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For the Love of Therapy: A New Year, A New You

by Kimberly Yates

I grew up in a family of helpers. We took in foster kids, and even as a very young child, I remember this one particular woman who visited our home every month to check in on them. I always wondered about this kind-hearted but serious-minded woman. She wanted to know if the kids were adjusting well, eating right, and if they needed anything else to thrive while they stayed in our care.

January 15, 2025

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Health & Wellness

Weekend Reads: Our Top 5 Self-Help Books

by The Style Team

Here we are. Another year and another long list of New Year’s resolutions—most of which we usually don’t live up to. It’s not that these goals are overly ambitious or unattainable; rather, our determination often wavers in the face of unresolved issues that prevent us from making the change we want in our lives. Fortunately, the following five highly acclaimed self-help books can assist you in uncovering the deeper issues that might be obstructing your progress and keeping you from realizing your dreams.

January 2, 2025

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