Happy Birthday! Turning 50: Reflections, Growth & What’s Next

I recently had a birthday—my 50th trip around the sun.

For many years, my birthday came and went quietly. I didn’t want to make a big deal or be the center of attention. But over time, as I learned to love and appreciate myself more, I began creating my own celebrations—curating “the perfect day” filled with things I love, people I cherish, and rituals that keep me connected to myself.

Fifty feels different. There’s something about changing decades that invites reflection—like watching a movie reel of past years and chapters. And then there are the “welcome to the club” comments that make you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere.

I love it. I love 50.
Which might sound strange—happy to be older? To be aging?

Yes. I’m happy to be where I am in life—how I feel inside and who I’m surrounded by.

I’ve always been the “baby”—the youngest in my family, often the youngest in my friend groups. I’ve been called an “old soul,” naturally drawn to those with more years and more wisdom. In my 20s, I trained for cycling, triathlon, and running events with people 20 years my senior—my nickname was “kid.”

Jim, a dear friend and mentor who is no longer with us, had a profound impact on my life. More than a training partner, he was a coach, a father figure, and a steady guide. I miss him deeply. I can now see the groundwork he laid for me—lessons I didn’t fully understand at the time, but that feel so clear now. If only I’d seen them then.

My 30s were a time of both beauty and upheaval. Life shifted dramatically—becoming a mother, feeling disconnected from my body, navigating the emotional rollercoaster of divorce, and ultimately finding my way to a new career through my own struggles. I longed for mentors—for wise women who had walked this road before me, someone to reassure me that it would all be okay. That longing shaped the work I do today.

In my 40s, I found myself again. I reconnected with my truth, untangled the misunderstandings I held about my body, and immersed myself in learning about women’s health, hormones, and spirituality. I deepened my relationships—with my friends, my children, my partner, and, most importantly, with myself. I found the mentors and coaches I had so desperately needed in my 30s, and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become.

Turning 50 feels like I’m no longer the “baby.” Not that I don’t still need mentors—because I always will—but now I, too, have wisdom to share. I can stand in who I am and be taken seriously.

And maybe that’s what birthdays are truly about—being at peace with where you are in life.

I am. I really am.

I’m curious about the decades ahead. Aging will continue—not just for me, but for my siblings, my parents, my friends. My kids will step fully into their own lives, and Chris and I will decide where we want to plant roots for the next chapter. My body will keep changing, and life will unfold in ways I can’t predict.

But the greatest gifts my 40s gave me are presence and perspective. And with those two things, I feel strong enough to embrace whatever comes next.

I’m grateful for all of you on this journey with me. Every person I encounter shapes my life in some way, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

What wisdom have you collected?
What do birthdays mean to you?
Share with me—I’d love to hear.

With love,

Emilee