I’m trying hard not to give in to the pressure to do all the things and be all the things. But damn, it’s hard to silence the noise that keeps shouting about all the things we need to be doing this very instant.

I recently turned 50. I’m very relieved to make it to 50. Many people don’t make it this far, so I consider it a gift to have another birthday. I don’t feel old. I don’t look old. I don’t live old.

But one thing I have noticed is the abundance of articles directed to women of a certain age. Articles that tell me I should be doing all of these things:

• Lifting heavy weights (ideally 3-5 times a week) to build bone strength and fight off the ravages of menopause
• Walking every day for a minimum of 30 minutes to slow the onset osteoporosis and to support my mental health
• Doing yoga or pilates daily to keep my body loose and my mind relaxed
• Moving my body with a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio per day to keep my metabolism firing, relieve stress, build muscles, and to help slow aging
• Find a sport/activity I enjoy and set goals so I can be motivated and engaged
• Challenging my brain daily with activities like drawing, playing word games, learning an instrument, reading, etc.
• Cooking my meals from scratch to minimize the harmful impacts of additives, sodium, trans fats, and all the other bad stuff that comes in packages so I can help ward of disease and ill health
• Cutting back on carbs and getting more protein because well, menopause and metabolism and being a woman (or is it eating more carbs and eating more protein?)
• Getting a minimum of 7-9 hours of sleep a night so I can let my body recover from daily stressors and be ready for the next day
• Taking time for myself so I can be a kind and gentle human
• Growing my own vegetables, planting a pollinator garden, getting rid of plastic, composting everything, and more to do my part to slow climate change
• Spring clean, autumn clean, winter clean, and summer clean the house from top-to-bottom to get rid of clutter, eliminate dust, and live a more organized and therefore relaxed life

Really? Like really? How is it humanly possible to do all these things? Lately I’ve been overwhelmed by trying to do all the things that in theory will mean I can be healthier, less stressed, have a healthy brain, better mood, and make the most of this one precious life.

Frankly, it’s too much. Just thinking about it makes me want to sit on the couch, eat salted soda crackers slathered with peanut butter, guzzle Diet Coke, and watch cooking shows.

I like to think I’m not alone in this. But maybe I am? I don’t know.

So, I’m trying not to give in to the pressure of what modern experts are telling me I need to do to live my best life and be my best self.

P.S. don’t worry. I’m okay. Just needed to get this out of my head. I’m currently sitting on my back deck, surrounded by our 32 trees, listening to the birds, and enjoying being far away from the suburbs.

Gratuitous photos because every blog needs photos to help with clicks and SEO…