Letting Go of Anxiety, Fear and Hair Dye

Welcome to the very first issue of Midlife Joy. It’s a monthly column where I get honest about what’s going on in my life, what I’m learning (or unlearning), and the tiny wins that are making life in my 40s feel a little lighter. This month, I’m leaving behind anxiety, fear, and the endless battle with hair dye, and choosing fresh air, honest reflections, and a bit more self-acceptance instead. Here’s what’s been real for me this month.

What I’m Leaving in 2025 (and Taking With Me into 2026)

I heard something on the radio that landed with me more than any New Year’s resolution ever has: instead of setting goals, decide what you’re leaving behind. So, 2025 – take my anxiety and that constant low-level fear with you, please. I’m done carrying it.

What am I bringing into this year? Get back to walking. I spend way too much time indoors (the curse of working from home and home educating), so I’m making a point of getting out, even if it’s just a lap around the block with a podcast.

What I’m Watching

I just finished the Netflix limited series, Run Away, and honestly, I loved it. The characters are so well drawn. I’m obsessed with picking apart people’s motivations in shows like this. There’s something so satisfying about seeing real, messy, complicated humans on screen. Highly recommend if you like a bit of character study with your drama.

The Christmas Aftermath

Is anyone else feeling a bit… blurgh? I definitely ate my way through the entire Christmas break. Too much beige food and sugar, too much alcohol, and not enough green things. January is always a bit of a food hangover for me. I’m not doing any drastic diets or dry January, but I am looking forward to cooking more and maybe seeing a plate that isn’t covered in cheese.

Big Plans for My Blogs

Here’s something I’m genuinely excited about: I am officially done treating my blogs as a hobby. This year, I’m plotting and planning to turn my content creation business on its head. I want to lean even harder into being myself – mess, mistakes, midlife wobbles and all – and pour my personal experience into everything I create. Watch this space!

Letting My Hair Go Wild

Confession: I’ve been dying my hair since my teens, and lately, no dye seems to cover my greys for more than a week. So I’m letting it grow out – wild, natural, and a bit rebellious. It feels weirdly freeing to stop fighting what my hair wants to do, and I’m kind of curious to see what my real colour actually is these days. Oh, and also, it’s not grey hair, it’s glitter!

Tech That Doesn’t Do the Laundry For You

In classic “life admin never stops” fashion, my washing machine broke over Christmas. I now have a new one fitted just today that’s wifi-enabled – which sounds fancy, but honestly, I have no idea how to make it work for me. If it doesn’t come with a robot to fold my pants, is it really progress? If anyone actually uses these features and has tips, please send me your tips, as I genuinely want to get the most out of it and can’t think of how.

Rediscovering My Oven

I cooked Christmas dinner for the first time in years (I’m not very conventional about Christmas, so this was a big deal). I used the hob, two ovens, and an air fryer with two drawers. It was a bit of a circus, but the results were genuinely tasty. And it’s inspired me to cook more. Less takeaway, more sneaky veg hidden in everything. The kids will never know. (They will.)

Little Wins This Month

• Survived the school holidays with only minor meltdowns (mine, mostly)
• Managed a walk most days in Jan so far, even if it was just to the shop
• Didn’t dye my hair (and I even received a couple of compliments!)
• Attended my cervical smear test! That is ticked off for a while now.

What about you?

What are you leaving behind this year? Any new gadgets I need to know about? And if you’ve got a favourite podcast for my walks, send it my way!

Love,
Lucy x