Half a Century and Counting: Embracing Life at 50

Hope, New Adventures, and the Magic of Connection

Hello loves

Last week, I levelled up to 50 in the game of life! My gorgeous birthday flowers, which are still brightening each morning, are a daily reminder of the beauty and miracle of life.

It’s become a tradition for me to write at this time of year about why November has often felt heavy (linking here to last year’s reflection), but this November feels different—there’s a new sense of hope privately, alongside all that is happening in the world.

This month does mark anniversaries: my car accident, my relocation to the UK, and my hip replacement, which was profoundly life-changing. It’s a time of farewells and new beginnings: next week, we’re moving to a cozy cottage with more space, a wood burner, and, blissfully, a bathroom with a window!

Reflecting on where I am now, it’s clear I’ve shaped a path very much on my own terms. In 2006, I left behind a law career and everything familiar to seek an answer to the question that has always haunted me; why am I / why are we, here?! Since then, I’ve studied and retrained in everything from nutritional medicine to intuitive intelligence, EFT, and business.

Then came motherhood, a path I hadn’t planned on, and opening an organic store and cafe that, at the time, was a dream come true. I also started an online community called Dare to Flourish—I was really daring myself as I continued my own journey of healing and recovery.

In the chaos of early motherhood and a new business, I discovered the power of Circles, and then answered the unexpected call to not just hold them, but guide others to hold their own. My original tagline was, “I don’t teach you how to hold my circles; I guide you to create yours.” Now, 11 years on, Circle School is still here (despite a huge surge in bigger, brighter courses run by others with far greater influence and social media followings than me!).

And alongside it, I’ve come full circle, reclaiming my legal training and embracing my new role with an international charity.

In a recent heart-to-heart with a dear friend, I found myself reflecting on all the choices that have led me here. Sometimes I still feel I’ve fallen short of the traditional “success” image—owning a big house with land, for instance. Yet, moving into this post-menopause phase, I am deeply grateful to my past self. She took risks, defied the expected path, and followed her own callings. She gave up a legal career, moved across continents, went into business, and ultimately found a new way of weaving together her skills and dedication to serve.

I hold the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estés close:

Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.

I care deeply about what happens in our connected world, especially regarding the rights of women and girls— and I’m constantly reminded to come back to Circle principles, to focus on what is near, what I can genuinely and usefully contribute to with purpose.

Circle School Update

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is a wonderful season to join us in Circle School—our self-study courses are designed to fit beautifully into the slower, reflective pace of these months. You can dive into your learning snuggled up in front of the fire with a warm brew, taking time to deepen your skills and knowledge. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, summer offers a perfect opportunity to leap forward and bring your circles into the world with renewed energy and intention!

Each offering is designed to support you in crafting and holding meaningful, enriching gatherings in ways that are uniquely yours. There’s the Begin course for those starting their journey, Gather for practitioners ready to deepen their skills, Presence for anyone wanting to become a more intentional space-holder, and Fully Booked for those looking to consistently fill their Circles. And just a quick note: the All Access Pass—my best offer yet, providing lifetime access to all courses for 50% off and with payment plant options —finishes today! (You can read more here and it closes at midnight (GMT) on Sunday 10th November).

What I’m Reading

This autumn has offered more opportunities for reading on my Kindle as I’ve struggled with jet lag, and I’ve been up reading in the middle of the night. Here’s a list of my recent reads that I stumbled on by chance but have been good company:

1. No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer
   This historical fiction novel was a delight, weaving possible outcomes from a single character’s pivotal decision—a bit like a “Sliding Doors” narrative. Keer beautifully explores the ripple effects of our choices, showing how a single moment can shape the lives that follow. It’s a thought-provoking and immersive read that left me reflecting on the power and consequences of our decisions.

2. One Midnight With You by Shari Low
   Set over just 24 hours, this heartwarming novel centres on a group of interconnected friends and family, each of whose lives intertwine around an Italian restaurant in Glasgow. Low captures the essence of shared meals, unexpected twists, and the strength of relationships. There’s a little twist in this one that I didn’t see coming, making it a heartfelt reminder of the beauty of friendship and family.

3. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont
   I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, where the main characters are older women, each reflecting on their past choices and reclaiming pieces of themselves. It’s a story of self-discovery, resilience, and the courage to embrace new beginnings, regardless of age. Mabel and her friends remind us that it’s never too late to live truthfully.

If you have any favourite easy to read novels at the moment, I’d love to hear your recommendations too! Our new cottage has a wood burner and I’m intending to to read a lot over the winter months.

What’s Giving Me Hope

In a world that often feels hopeless, I find hope in the power of friendship, community, and grassroots organising. The connections I share with friends and my local community remind me of the strength we hold collectively, and I am constantly inspired by those individuals and small groups who come together to make meaningful change. We can often feel that our actions are too small, but they build a web of care and resilience that holds us all.

I’ve also mapped out my own hope project - a list of 50 things to do at 50 (And a corresponding “50 Days Out in Devon” adventure list to deepen my connection to place—prepare yourselves for a possible Devon travel journal takeover on The Circle Project!).

Let me know if you'd like me to share them here.

This project is inspired by a quiet but steady inner voice: What will my 60-year-old self be proud of? This decade feels like a precious opportunity to live with even more intention, creating a life grounded in purpose, joy, and connection. Each choice, each step, is a chance to craft the second half of life in a way that truly reflects my values. I imagine my 60-year old self looking back with gratitude for the courage to embrace change, the strength to follow my heart, and the willingness to contribute meaningfully to the world around me.

Thank you for being here. Here’s to a new chapter filled with hope, adventure, and the quiet, powerful magic of tuning in to what truly matters.

With you in Circle in these (r)evolutionary times

Photo: me after a beautiful dip in the ocean on my brief visit back to Denmark, WA.