They say life begins at forty, but there is a distinct, grounding magic that arrives when you hit fifty. As I stand at this half-century mark, looking back at the decades that shaped me and forward at the horizon yet to be explored, I find myself filled with a profound sense of gratitude.
Five decades. It sounds like a long time when you say it out loud, but in the quiet moments—sipping coffee before the house wakes up or tending to the steady growth of my rubber plants—it feels like a beautiful, rapid blur of colors and lessons.
Finding Balance in the Quiet and the Chaos For the past eight years, my world has been centered within the walls of my home. Being a remote professional has taught me that productivity isn’t just about ticking off tasks for digital marketing campaigns; it’s about the rhythm of life. It’s the ability to pivot from a high-stakes strategy meeting to preparing a vibrant, nourishing bento box for my youngest.
There is a unique art to the “Work-at-Home” life. It requires a blend of discipline and grace. At 50, I’ve finally stopped trying to “do it all” and started focusing on “doing what matters.” Whether it’s organizing community events like TEDx or curating content for brands across the nation, the goal is now impact over busyness.
The Strength of Distance and Connection Living a life where love spans oceans isn’t always easy. With my husband working in the Middle East, our 21-year ‘married’ journey has been a testament to the strength of shared foundations. We’ve raised three incredible children—now 20, 16, and 6—and while the physical distance remains, the digital age has allowed us to stay tethered.
I’ve learned that it isn’t about having a “perfect” family dynamic; it’s about the resilience of the bonds you’ve nurtured. It’s about the joy in the small things: a video call across time zones, the wag of Callie’s tail when I’ve been at my desk too long, or the pride of watching my eldest navigate adulthood.
Cultivating the Soul At this stage, I find myself drawn more to things that grow. My indoor garden has become a retreat. There is something incredibly therapeutic about the slow, deliberate pace of a succulent or the sturdy presence of a Ficus. They remind me that growth doesn’t always have to be loud or fast to be significant.
Photography and content creation have also taken on a new meaning. It’s no longer just about the “aesthetic”—it’s about storytelling. It’s about capturing the steam rising from a home-cooked meal or the way the light hits a new leaf. It’s about documenting a life well-lived, even in its most mundane moments.
So, what does 50 look like? It looks like confidence. It looks like knowing my worth in a fast-paced digital industry while staying true to my creative roots. It looks like embracing the “Mitchteryosa” spirit—always a bit of a mystery, always evolving, and always deeply rooted in faith and family.
If you’re approaching a milestone of your own, remember this: the numbers don’t define the limit; they define the experience. Here’s to the next chapter, the next project, and the next sunrise.
Cheers to 50!
