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There’s something I want to say gently, the way we would over a cup of tea…
Somewhere along the way, many of us set pieces of ourselves aside.
Not because we stopped loving them.
Not because they stopped mattering.
But because life asks more of us.
We became mothers. Caregivers. Helpers. The steady ones everyone leaned on.
And slowly, quietly… the things we once loved got tucked into the corners of our lives.
Maybe it was painting.
Or dancing in the kitchen.
Or writing little poems no one ever saw.
Or simply sitting in the sun with a book and no rush at all.
And now, here we are.
A little older. A little wiser.
And perhaps, for the first time in a long time… with a small opening to ask:
What about me?
Let’s talk about how we gently find our way back.
Start by Remembering Who You Were (Without Judgment)
Before all the roles, all the responsibilities… There was a version of you that felt light, curious, and alive.
Take a quiet moment and ask yourself:
- What did I enjoy doing just because it made me happy?
- What made me lose track of time?
- What did I look forward to?
Don’t overthink it.
Sometimes the answer comes softly:
“I used to love gardening.”
“I used to sing all the time.”
“I used to sew, draw, bake, write…”
There’s no shame in how long it’s been.
We didn’t lose those parts of ourselves.
We simply placed them on pause.
Let Go of the Idea That You Have to Be “Good” at It
Now this part is important.
When we return to something we once loved, there’s a quiet voice that can creep in:
“I’m not as good as I used to be.”
“What’s the point now?”
“I’ve forgotten how.”
Oh, my dear… since when did joy require perfection?
You didn’t love it because you were the best.
You loved it because it made you feel something.
So let yourself be a beginner again.
Paint a little messy.
Sing a little off-key.
Bake something that doesn’t rise quite right.
Joy doesn’t live in perfection, it lives in participation.
Start Small… Smaller Than You Think
We don’t need to dive back in all at once.
In fact, the gentlest way back is often the most lasting.
If you loved writing, don’t aim for a whole story, write a few lines.
If you loved gardening, plant just one pot.
If you loved reading, start with one page.
Five minutes is enough. Truly.
Because it’s not about how much you do, it’s about reopening the door.
Recreate the Feeling, Not Just the Activity
Sometimes what we miss isn’t just the thing itself… but how it made us feel.
Maybe painting made you feel peaceful.
Maybe baking made you feel nurturing.
Maybe dancing made you feel free.
So ask yourself:
How can I invite that feeling back into my life?
Even if it looks a little different now.
You may not dance the same way you used to…
But you can still sway to music while cooking dinner.
You may not have hours to read…
But you can enjoy ten quiet minutes before bed.
We’re not trying to go backward, we’re gently bringing those feelings forward.
Let Your Grandchildren Be Part of It
Now this is one of my favorite parts.
Our grandkids don’t need us to be perfect, they just love seeing us alive with joy.
So invite them in.
Bake together.
Show them how you used to knit.
Let them watch you paint, even if it’s just simple strokes.
And you might be surprised…
They won’t see what you’ve “lost.”
They’ll only see what you’ve kept.
In fact, sometimes rediscovering your joy gives them permission to explore their own.
Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy Your Own Life Again
This can be the hardest step for many of us.
We’ve spent so long putting others first that choosing ourselves can feel… unfamiliar.
But let me say this gently:
You are allowed to have a life that feels full.
You are allowed to enjoy your time.
To explore. To try. To begin again.
Not because you’ve earned it.
But because you never stopped deserving it.
Be Patient With Yourself
There’s no rush here.
Some days you’ll feel excited.
Other days, you may not feel like doing anything at all.
That’s alright.
Coming back to yourself is not a straight path; it’s a soft, winding one.
What matters is that you keep the door open.
Even just a little.
You’re Not Starting Over—You’re Returning Home
And maybe that’s the most beautiful way to look at it.
You’re not becoming someone new.
You’re remembering someone familiar.
The woman who laughed easily.
Who created without fear.
Who found joy in simple things.
She’s still there.
Not lost.
Not gone.
Just waiting patiently for you to come back.
A Gentle Little Invitation
If you feel up to it today, try this:
Pick one small thing you used to love…
And spend just five minutes with it.
No pressure. No expectations.
Just a quiet reconnection.
Benefits of Ask Your Grandchild:
“What’s something you love doing that makes you forget about everything else?”
Their answer might just remind you of your own.
And if no one has told you this in a while…
It’s not too late.
Not even a little bit.
We still have time to fill our days with things that make our hearts feel light again.
