567 consecutive days of Duolingo. Twenty years in Japan. And my Japanese is still embarrassingly basic. Not because I’m lazy—it’s more complicated than that. Here’s the honest accounting.
I’m 56, living paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes I feel like a fake talking to salespeople in computer stores. This is my honest look at success when you haven’t “made it” financially.
No one wakes up thrilled to spot new gray hair, but here’s the deal: aging’s got some great parts. In my late 50s, I’m discovering freedoms my younger self never imagined—like not caring what others think while still feeling young inside. What unexpected gifts has aging brought you?
Gaming at 56? Apex Legends has become a counterbalance after days of farming and teaching. The game helps me rest physically even if my mind stays wired. My senses aren’t what they were, but my name warns teammates what to expect. How do you decompress?
The last clear sign: my mum was feeding the dog from the dinner table—something she’d never done. Now, she sits silently in a care home, clutching a toy. How do we navigate the slow, painful goodbye when dementia turns a loved one into a stranger?
Ever catch yourself being grateful for music? I’ve been diving back into my collection lately—thankful for how it flips a switch when life gets overwhelming or thoughts spiral. What’s your go-to music genre when nothing else seems to do it?
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but what about a fresh coat? Recently, I’ve been mulling something I rarely admit: I secretly want a makeover. Not dramatic—just something to shake the dust off and tidy me up a bit. Sound familiar? Got any tips?