As we navigate the complexities of midlife and beyond, this question becomes increasingly important: What are we truly doing to live well in midlife and beyond? Living Well in midlife is your guide to health, purpose, and fulfillment. In this video of the Living Well chapter of Midlife, New Life, I talk about this profound topic with expert insights on health span, mindset, emotional wellness, and creating a personal action plan for a fulfilling life.
The chapter begins with powerful words from Randy Pausch: “We don’t beat the reaper by living longer, but by living well and living fully.” This challenges our conventional thinking about aging. I introduce the critical distinction between lifespan—how long we live—and health span, which measures how long we live while maintaining good health. This perspective shift is essential for anyone seeking to make the most of their midlife and later years.
Mindsets
One most compelling elements of this chapter is the exploration of mindset, rooted in Carol Dweck’s research on fixed versus growth mindsets. A fixed mindset—the belief that “I’ll never be that smart” or “I just want to avoid mistakes”—limits our potential. A growth mindset, by contrast, embraces feedback, recognizes that practice leads to improvement, and understands that mistakes are learning opportunities. When we adopt a growth mindset, we open ourselves to new experiences, continuous learning, and the possibility of becoming our best selves during these crucial midlife years.
Living well means living with intention and purpose, not simply drifting through our days. With attention to nourishing mind, body, and spirit, I explore five essential aspects of wellness: mental and emotional health, physical health, learning and growth, and social connection, along with meaning and purpose. Real-world examples demonstrate that living well looks different for each person, yet shares common threads of intentionality, purpose, and self-care.
Health Resource Plan
Perhaps the most practical contribution in this recording is the focus on proactive planning. Rather than waiting to see what health challenges arise, the discussion encourages creating a comprehensive personal health resource plan. The recording concludes with a beautiful reflection from Rachel Naoim Remen: “Perhaps the secret of living well is not having all the answers, but pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” This conversation-centered approach reminds us that living well is as much about connection and inquiry as it is about specific actions.
Participants in the program have continued to meet monthly on Zoom to share our wisdom and experiences of midlife and beyond. If you are interested in joining these conversation circles, please contact me via the link on Conscious Conversation Circles page of this website.
Watch the recording of the second chapter, Living Well:
