In Bloom: The Path from Me → We → True Self

Me: The Bud
Our early years are about self—building identity, career, and independence. The bud holds potential, not yet fully revealed.

We: The Bloom
We expand outward, giving ourselves to family, career, and community. Our petals open to serve others, but sometimes at the cost of our own roots.

True Self: The Full Blossom
Midlife is the invitation home. No longer proving or performing, we embody our full bloom—the season of authenticity, joy, and self-belonging.

Issue No. 11 – Tuesday, August 19th, 2025

Dear Fab Fam,

Fab at Fifty Plus has been my midlife journey shared with you. And as I go on this journey, there is so much I learn about myself and the path that I am on. Recently, I started reading The Second Mountain by David Brooks. This book was eye opening for me because it aligned with what I believed, and it reflected principles that I built the Fab at Fifty at Plus brand on.

Brooks writes about two stages of life. The first mountain is about chasing success for ourselves, only to realize it doesn’t bring true happiness. The second mountain is about turning outward, giving of ourselves in deeper ways. His philosophy resonated with me, but I’ve always felt there’s more. For me, life isn’t just two mountains, it’s more like three stages of a flower in bloom.

🌱Me: The Bud. In our early years, life is about me. We’re building identity, careers, independence. The bud is tightly held—full of promise, not yet showing its colors.

🌸 We: The Bloom. As we grow, life expands into we. We become partners, parents, caregivers, colleagues. Our petals open wide in service to others. The bloom is radiant, but sometimes we give so much we forget our own roots.

🌺 True Self: The Full Blossom. Midlife brings us home to our true selves. After years of striving and serving, we return to who we truly are and relearn how to honor our own needs and desires. This stage isn’t about proving anything; it’s about being free, joyful, and true.

This blooming path—Me → We → True Self—isn’t rigid. It’s a reminder that every step has been leading you here: to the place where your wisdom, joy, and authenticity meet. It’s also why so many of us feel restless or discontent in midlife. We’ve spent years showing up for others, but not always honoring our own needs and desires.

When we finally turn inward and give ourselves permission to listen to our hearts, to nurture, and to choose what we truly want—we begin to feel whole again. That’s the shift into full bloom. It’s not about walking away from responsibilities or people we love. It’s about remembering that our lives matter too, and that tending to our own roots allows us to flourish even more brightly.

So, Fab Fam, where are you on this blooming path? And how might you honor the stage you’re in today?

With love,

🌸 Every flower blooms in its own time. Some of us are still buds, some are blossoming for others, and some are finally opening into our fullest selves. Take a moment to reflect — which stage feels most like where you are right now?

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Let go of: “I should be further ahead by now.”
Claim instead: “Every stage of my blooming is right on time.”

It’s easy to compare our journey to others or to what society tells us “should” happen by a certain age. But flowers don’t rush to bloom. They open when their season arrives. When we honor our timing, we release pressure and make space for joy in the moment.

Prompt: If you are entering the season of full bloom, what does living as your true self look like for you? How can you give yourself permission to be fully open, joyful, and unapologetically you?

🌼 Why Midlife Is a Return, Not a Crisis
This piece explains how authenticity begins when we stop bending ourselves to fit in and instead return to self-acceptance. A perfect reminder that midlife is about belonging to yourself first.

🌸 Finding New Life in Midlife: Embracing Freedom & Joy
Transformational retreats show how women are shedding old roles and rediscovering connection and joy. A living example of the “We” moving toward “True Self” stage.

🌿 How to Overcome Negativity Bias
Science shows we cling to criticism more than praise. This article offers practical steps—like gratitude and savoring—to retrain our attention toward growth and blooming.

The Midlife Rebellion: Dress Like You Mean It Kuel Life reminds us: fashion is a form of protest when the world wants you invisible. 👉 Read more

Age Is Trending—Finally Midlife style is having a moment. And you deserve to be seen in all your evolved fabulousness. 👉 Read more

Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play
A forthcoming book (Sept 2025) designed to help women embrace midlife as a season of renewal and self-discovery.

Invisible to Invaluable: Unleashing the Power of Midlife Women
A manifesto against ageism—celebrating the wisdom, strength, and voice of women in their prime.

The Wisdom of Menopause by Christiane Northrup
A classic resource reframing menopause as a season of empowerment and clarity.

Every petal has its purpose. Whether you’re still the bud, in full bloom for others, or opening as your true self—you are exactly where you need to be.