Surviving Midlife with a Smile: My Top 5 Self-Care Musts

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Some people run marathons. Some do yoga at sunrise. And some of us… wake up in a fog, scroll Instagram for 27 minutes, and then wonder why we’re behind on life before 9 a.m.

In my 20s, “self-care” meant margaritas and MTV marathons. Now it means protecting my peace, my joints, and whatever is left of my short-term memory. So here are my top 5 self-care rituals: practical, a little weird, and totally essential to keeping me sane(ish) in this season of life.

Heads up: This post contains some affiliate links to products I genuinely love and personally use. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for joining me here and supporting MidLife Glow Hub!

1. Walk and Talks with Friends (a.k.a. therapy with sneakers)

There’s nothing like a good walk with a great friend to clear your head and get those steps in. It’s basically therapy in sneakers (no co-pay required!). We vent, laugh, brainstorm, spiral, and talk each other down from joining questionable fitness challenges on TikTok. The fresh air helps, but it’s the conversation that is making the magic.

These walks are part cardio, part confessional, and 100% life-giving. Whether we’re power-walking or “just moving enough to say we exercised,” this is where I unload my midlife meltdowns, celebrate the wins (like remembering why I opened the fridge), and laugh until I snort.

Because let’s be honest, midlife can feel weirdly isolating, even if you're constantly surrounded by people. Talking to someone who gets it , who doesn’t blink when you bring up your weirdest perimenopause symptom or your mixed feelings about your empty nest, can make all the difference in the world. It reminds you that you’re not crazy, you’re just human. That shared nod of “same here” can be more powerful than any supplement or spa day. Meaningful connection with others is self-care, plain and simple.

2. Gardening: Dirt Therapy at Its Finest

This one snuck up on me. One of my best walk-and-talk friends, who somehow manages to keep her beautiful plants and her kids alive, encouraged me to give gardening a real shot. It started with a cute little herb kit she gifted me (because apparently she could tell it would take some time to get me to “plant parent” status). Then she upped the game with a mini medicinal garden kit [click here for more information] that came with lavender, chamomile, and other calming goodies - and suddenly I was that person Googling “how to harvest lemon balm” like it was my full-time job.

I used to think gardening was something retirees did in floppy hats. Joke’s on me, because now I’m out there in my sweatpants, fiercely defending my tomato plants like they’re my actual children. Something about getting my hands in the soil is grounding (pun fully intended) in a way that’s hard to explain. It’s quiet. It’s slow. And it gives me a reason to step outside and unplug. Plus: fresh mint for your iced tea, anyone? Win-win!

3. Journaling and Coloring (Freebie Alert!)

Here’s a self-care beauty that takes me back to my childhood: journaling and coloring pages! When I’m feeling frazzled (read: most weekdays), I pull out my journal or grab a coloring page. There’s something incredibly soothing about putting pen (or colored pencil) to paper.

Journaling helps me process the chaos in my head, whether it’s a running to-do list, a random existential crisis, or just a brain dump so I can sleep without replaying that awkward thing I said at the New Year's party in 2004! Coloring, on the other hand, is my low-effort meditation. It gives my mind something gentle to focus on without needing Wi-Fi, small talk, or decision-making skills.

Both of these practices have become part of my evening wind-down ritual. Instead of scrolling my phone until I accidentally buy something, I grab my journal or a coloring page and give my brain a soft landing. Both have helped me feel more settled before bed and fall asleep faster.

Want to try it for yourself? I’ve created a set of mindful coloring and journal pages to share. Try a few and see if one of these practices resonates with you! Grab your free download by clicking the link below:

✨ Download the “Mindful Moments: Bedtime Journal and Coloring Bundle” here ✨

Below are links to two adult coloring books from Amazon that I have personally enjoyed. I actually gifted one of them (with the sassier title!) to a friend who’s known for her very colorful vocabulary, and it was an instant hit.

Fuck This Sh**!: Motivational Swear Word Adult Coloring Book

Mandala Art: Coloring Book for Adults with Tear-Out Sheets

4. Collagen and Electrolytes: My Morning MVPs!

I admit it. I’ve become a bit of a morning ritual snob, mixing my collagen powder and electrolytes like I’m some sort of absurd midlife alchemist. The scoop-stir-sip routine has become sacred. Miss a morning? You’ll find me wandering around like a dehydrated goblin, wondering why I feel off and everyone is getting on my nerves. Who knew a few scoops in a glass could make me feel more human?

Let’s talk collagen first. Our natural collagen production starts to dip in our late 20s (rude), which can show up as joint stiffness, slower muscle recovery, and skin that’s a little less... springy. Since adding collagen peptides to my daily routine, I’ve noticed smoother skin, stronger nails, and fewer “crackle and pop” moments when getting off the couch. Bonus? It blends easily into my morning drink, and somehow that little habit makes me feel like I’m doing something luxurious and smart. Even before coffee.

Now, electrolytes. These are the unsung heroes of my energy levels. They’re not just for athletes or people doing marathons (unless you count loads of laundry?). Electrolytes help replenish minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium that we lose through sweat, stress, and yes, midlife hormonal fluctuations. I genuinely feel more alert, more hydrated, and way less “blah” when I include them. Plus, it makes drinking water feel fancy, which encourages me to actually drink it.

Are they magical? Probably not. But do they make me feel like a hydrated goddess with a skin filter in real life? 100% YES.

If you’re curious, click here to read my full blog post on collagen. I’m also including links below to the collagen powder I use and love, and my go-to electrolytes available on Amazon. Because self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes, it’s just a little science in a glass!

Click here for information about Advanced Collagen Plus

Click here for information about Leanfit Citrus Lemon Electrolyte Mix

5. Carving Out Time for Myself (this one is the biggie!)

Let’s be honest, “me time” in midlife doesn’t always look like bubble baths and a quiet house. Sometimes it’s squeezing in a walk between errands, or finally sitting down with your laptop after the dishwasher's humming and the laundry is done. But here’s the real secret: it’s not just about the time. It's about what you do with it.

The most restorative kind of self-care isn’t passive. It’s not just zoning out with a show (although that’s 100% valid too!). It’s doing something that gives you a spark. A little sense of joy, accomplishment, or creative flow. For me, that looks like heading to the gym for some movement that clears my head (even though I grumble the whole way there), and working on my creative projects: making literacy videos for my YouTube channel or designing educational resources for my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I know that might sound oddly specific, but trust me - Finding Your Thing Matters.

Whether it’s painting, writing, baking, organizing the world’s most satisfying spice drawer, or diving into a project you’ve always wanted to try, it all counts. When you carve out time to create, to build, to dream (even in tiny ways), it sends a message to your nervous system that you're more than just your to-do list. That YOU matter, too.

I won’t pretend it happened overnight. It took a whole lot of Googling, a whole lot of trial, and a boatload of error. But I am seeing the rewards. I'm officially monetized on YouTube, and my TeachersPayTeachers sales occasionally cover the monthly credit card bill (small victories, right?). I wanted something creative, flexible, and meaningful outside of my day-to-day routine. Digital Wealth Academy is the program that gave me the tools (and confidence!) to turn my ideas into income, which is something that feels empowering, especially in midlife. If you’ve ever daydreamed about starting something of your own, I can’t recommend it enough.

What began as a passion project - part creative outlet, part coping mechanism for an eerily quiet empty nest - has grown into a legit side hustle. And the best part? It still brings me joy. I get to share resources that support educators, tap into my creative side, and earn a little extra while doing things I love. Not bad for something that started as “let’s just see where this goes”!

You can check out Digital Wealth Academy here if you’re curious. It's the exact program that helped me get started!

As midlifers, we’re pulled in a dozen directions. Kids, pets, aging parents, careers... what am I forgetting?! It’s far too easy to let everyone else’s needs take over your calendar. That’s why I treat my me-time like it’s a non-refundable spa appointment (because honestly, my sanity depends on it). Midlife isn’t just a chapter. It's an invitation to reclaim your creativity, refuel your energy, and do something that feeds your soul, not just your to-do list.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, friends. My top five midlife self-care routines and rituals that help me stay grounded, inspired, and semi-sane. Just remember: self-care doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy. It’s about finding joy in the little things. One weird garden weed at a time.