19 Comments
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Kristen L's avatar

Thank you for so beautifully putting into words the feelings and emotions that many women in midlife are experiencing in today’s world. This piece resonates deeply with me.

We can all use love, connecting and support as we navigate this time.

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lee horowitz's avatar

We have all ventured off natures course when the only opportunity to slow down is by having exams/surgery. I used to play bball with Curtis. Thank you for sharing this my wife and feel the same way

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terrence m kim's avatar

I am fatigued reading this and there is a bit of sadness in knowing this world has created a need to be listened to, listened to and supported to get off this hyper rat race… There is a lot to unpack and yet there is for me one simple way out of the mania of this world. Understanding that the world we are bought and brought into was contrived from the start….Awareness erodes the veneer of this through the choices we make. Once the choice is made to reclaim a simpler life then healing instantly consumes us. It is neurochemically induced to heal the community of cells that have ached and longed and unconsciously asked for respite. Thank you for sharing this Chantal

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Kate Woodrow's avatar

Amen to it all, Chantal! Thanks for articulating so precisely what we’re all feeling.

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Rebecca Scott's avatar

"How do I love the life I have and grieve the one I never will?"

Yes yes yes. Thank you, Chantal, for putting this into words for me.

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John Sautelle's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this Chantal. You write with such power, clarity and feeling. Please keep on writing!

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Pam Byrne's avatar

Bb. You are truly an amazing and incredibly talented writer and let’s be honest, have nailed it. I am tired. And I too, want a colonoscopy.

Please never stop writing and validating our fears and insecurities. Xoxo

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Rhodie Lorenz's avatar

I love this so much. Honest and real. Your writing is poignant and beautiful. Life is exhausting when you are doing it at a high level for yourself and for your family. I applaud the message to better support each other - and take the help when someone offers (whether we think we need it or not). Love you!

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Kim O'Hara's avatar

I commented on Linked in, but this is a brilliant message about how to not fix but acknowledge and listen to the deeper conversation between women. We don't need instructions to do more, but to be allowed to just "gas off" in a way that we hear where we can stop doing what is no longer okay in our lives. To try something new. To say no, even when society pushes us to say Yes.

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Chantal Laurie Below's avatar

Yes!! Thank you for reading and for your insights, Kim...

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Heidi Harris's avatar

Even without the added layer of kids, I so relate to this, Chantal. Life just feels so overwhelming sometimes and as someone who also takes pride in saying, "I've got this," the older I get, the more I'm learning that I don't need to carry it all on my own. I'm not great at it yet but I'm trying to get better at asking for help -- and accepting help. And I appreciate your perspective on what it means to be there for each other, to create space and listen without advice-giving or problem-solving. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Chantal Laurie Below's avatar

Thank you, Heidi! So grateful it landed in some way....

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Sherrill Kaplan's avatar

This is total perfection and spot on in every way. Someone needs to start a business and name it Alice.

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Chantal Laurie Below's avatar

I mean. Yes. Genius, my friend.

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Korri O'Connor's avatar

Thanks to Jen S. I just read this, boarding a plane home from a full-week work trip, tears rolling down my cheeks — both relief from validation and fear of not prioritizing me. Thank you for your grace, humor and gorgeous voice shining light on this shadow. I’ve been reading so much about Divine Femininity (a spiritual practice has lead to much more grounded me) and your piece dovetails beautifully with the love and support we can —with pleasure— gift to one another. Thank you 🙏 💜✨

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Lindsay West's avatar

This needs to go viral. It is a systemic problem. You really hit the nail on the head. Thank you.

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Chantal Laurie Below's avatar

Thank YOU. It means so much to me that it landed somehow...

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Chloe Warner's avatar

So good, buddy. Can't help but think a standing card game night would be therapeutic?

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Chantal Laurie Below's avatar

YES! Might solve for everything. ;)

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