http://www.midlifemusingswithtanya.com/

Midlife Musings with Tanya, Pros Paradeiso, Frangokástello (2026)

01/09/2025

September: The Real New Year

In France, September 1st marks la rentrée—the great return. Kids back to school, adults back to work, and the whole country quietly shifting gears after the long, lazy days of summer. Honestly? I think it’s more of a true new year than January 1st.

Forget champagne-fuelled promises made at midnight. The real resolutions are born today, as life slips back into rhythm. Schedules reset, diaries fill, and the energy of fresh beginnings is everywhere.

For me, it’s the season I love most. After four months of hideous, sticky heat, Nice finally exhales. The crowds thin, the air cools, and yet we still have two glorious months of golden sunshine ahead—sunbathing weather without the sweating, the chaos, the fight for beach space. September feels like possibility.

This year, my resolutions are all about reclaiming rhythm. After months of travel, I’ve slipped out of my routines, and I miss them. So here’s my rentrée pledge:

Running: three times a week, with one long run of at least 21km.

Gym: three strength sessions per week, to keep the balance.

Yoga: at least three at-home practices each week, to stretch body and mind.

Eating well: focusing on high-protein meals and keeping nutrition simple and clean.

Lifestyle resets: drinking less alcohol and cutting back heavily on ci******es—not giving up completely yet, but calming things down before my lungs start complaining.

On the professional side, life has shifted since I lost my job in April. Now, I’m putting out feelers for freelance projects while also committing to building my own small business—something I hope will grow into a solid source of passive income for the future.

I’ve also got some personal projects on the horizon: clearing out my cave (the storage space that’s accumulated years of forgotten junk), and getting the garden ready for winter. And because September is for saying yes to growth, I’m debating Italian lessons and seriously considering dance classes. Dancing is something I’ve recently developed a passion for, but confidence holds me back.

So all in all? I’m excited, positive, and embracing this fresh start. September really is the new January—only better.

12/08/2025

Why I’ve Switched to a Protein-Based Diet

Earlier this year, I decided to change the way I eat — not to “lose weight” but to build muscle, increase strength, and prepare my body for menopause and beyond.

As a primarily vegetarian eater, I’ll admit I was reluctant to go protein-based. I assumed it would be tricky to get enough plant-based protein without living on protein bars. But once I figured out a routine at home, it became surprisingly easy — and I’ve seen a real difference.

I feel stronger. My arms are more toned (bingo wings less visible), my stomach is less bloated and my clothes fit more comfortably. The extra protein also means I stay full longer and naturally snack much less.

My staples at home:

Large batches of lentils and quinoa

Tofu and fish

Boiled eggs, tuna, and chickpeas

Skyr yogurt

A 4pm smoothie made from collagen/protein powder, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, soy milk, bananas and red berries

Travel challenges:
This summer I was in Greece twice, which made things trickier — fewer of my go-to foods and no kitchen. I adapted by ordering chicken breasts in restaurants and preparing daily picnics to keep my protein intake high.

Even with less sport than usual (just yoga instead of gym workouts) and the summer heat slowing me down on the running front, I’ve maintained muscle tone and stayed around 57.5 kilos.

For me, this shift isn’t about dieting — it’s about future-proofing my body so I can step into this stage of life feeling strong, capable, and confident. My general routine is a blend of running three times a week for cardio, gym sessions twice a week for muscle mass, and regular yoga practice to strengthen my core and keep my flexibility. And I try and hike whenever possible.

And despite all this… I certainly can’t pretend I’m some squeaky-clean health freak. I still drink far too much alcohol when I’m socialising, and I’ve slipped back into smoking heavily again...

But hey — life’s about balance, and right now, I’m getting the diet and sport into order and will tackle the alcohol and ni****ne situation after summer ;)

05/08/2025

Just back from a special week in Kefalonia with my youngest daughter, Alice, who just turned 17. It was one of those trips that felt like a pause button on the blur of daily life — a rare pocket of time for just the two of us.

We shared a room, twin beds, and nearly every moment together for 7 days. And you know what? I loved it.

Gone are the toddler tantrums and the teen eye-rolls (well… mostly). Now, she’s genuinely interesting — curious, opinionated, witty, and so capable. This trip reminded me how much I prefer this stage of parenting — when your child starts to become a young adult you’d choose to spend time with, not just care for.

We zipped around the island in a bright new Fiat 500, following brilliant ChatGPT-created itineraries (yes, AI is officially in my holiday toolkit now!). We:

Swam in crystal-clear beaches and snorkelled for hours

Explored abandoned villages and mysterious underground caves

Climbed to historic castles and wandered through tiny mountain towns

Survived a 43-degree heatwave (first weekend 😅), then enjoyed five perfect beach days

And one of the biggest highlights? We saw loads of sea turtles up close — absolute magic!

It wasn’t just a holiday. It was a milestone. As the fourth and youngest of my children moves toward adulthood, I felt that familiar mix of pride, joy, and yes — a little bit of nostalgia.

This might be the last time we go away, just the two of us. And while that stings a bit, I’m also deeply grateful I got to have this time with her, now, at this in-between stage where she’s still mine… but almost not.

Midlife has so many twists — but this was one of its sweeter moments.

💛 Tanya

05/08/2025

Just back from a special week in Kefalonia with my youngest daughter, Alice, who just turned 17. It was one of those trips that felt like a pause button on the blur of daily life — a rare pocket of time for just the two of us.

We shared a room, twin beds, and nearly every moment together for 7 days. And you know what? I loved it.

Gone are the toddler tantrums and the teen eye-rolls (well… mostly). Now, she’s genuinely interesting — curious, witty, and so capable. This trip reminded me how much I prefer this stage of parenting — when your child starts to become a young adult you’d choose to spend time with, not just care for.

We zipped around the island in a new Fiat 500, following brilliant ChatGPT-created itineraries (yes, AI is officially in my holiday toolkit now!). We:

Swam in crystal-clear beaches and snorkelled for hours

Explored abandoned villages and mysterious underground caves

Climbed to historic castles and wandered through tiny mountain towns

Survived a 43-degree heatwave (first weekend 😅), then enjoyed five perfect beach days

And one of the biggest highlights? We saw loads of sea turtles up close — absolute magic!

It wasn’t just a holiday. It was a milestone. As the fourth and youngest of my children moves toward adulthood, I felt that familiar mix of pride, joy, and yes — a little ache of nostalgia.

This might be the last time we go away, just the two of us. And while that stings a bit, I’m also deeply grateful I got to have this time with her, now, at this in-between stage where she’s still mine… but almost not.

Midlife has so many twists — but this was one of its sweeter moments.

💛 Tanya

13/07/2025

There comes a point where coasting stops feeling calm and starts feeling stuck.
Lately, that’s where I’ve found myself. Life isn’t bad — far from it. But there’s a growing sense of inertia. A lack of momentum. And I know myself well enough to recognise when that starts to chip away at motivation.

So I’m making a plan. Nothing dramatic. Just a deliberate shift toward something more structured and sustainable.

At the centre of that plan is something I’ve been avoiding:
I’ll probably need to sell my house in Nice.

It’s a reluctant decision. I’ve lived here for years. All four of my children grew up in this house — two sons who’ve since moved on, and two daughters who are still studying nearby. The place holds layers of history — school runs, noisy dinners, birthdays, Christmases. It was bought when I was still married. It was a family home, in the truest sense.

But Nice is expensive. And maintaining a property here as a single woman, with no formal pension and rising living costs, won’t be viable in the long term. When my daughters finish their studies locally and move forward with their lives, so will I.

The practical alternative is clear: Italy. Just an hour away. Lower property prices, lower living costs, and more breathing space — financially and otherwise. I could buy a place outright, live without debt, and give myself a retirement that isn’t dependent on the hope that things “work out.”

And this time, the house will be one I choose. Not as part of a couple. Not by default.
Something that works for me — and for my kids when they visit. Maybe, in time, with their own children too. That thought is grounding. And honestly, a little exciting.

If I’m serious about that, I need to stop messing around with Duolingo and learn Italian properly. I’ve been dabbling for nearly three years — just enough to feel like I’m doing something, but not enough to hold a real conversation. That changes this winter. No app-based distractions. Just a structured commitment. Reading, speaking, lessons — whatever it takes.

There’s another layer to this plan — less practical, but no less real.

I’ve only recently become single. I've been in long term relationships for the last 27 years with practically no gaps. It’s still a new landscape. Not sad, just unfamiliar.
And it’s raised some questions — one of which I didn’t expect to ask again.

What does s*x look like now?

In my twenties, I had my fair share of one-night stands. They weren’t freeing. Most were rooted in the need for affirmation — a temporary fix that often left me feeling worse, not better. It wasn’t about connection. It was about trying to feel wanted.

But now? I’m not in that place anymore. I’m not proving anything. I don’t need rescuing.
I wonder — could something casual now just be simple? Enjoyable, even?
No shame, no overthinking. Just a moment of connection without it meaning something more.

Younger generations seem to have a healthier relationship with this. They don't seem burdened by the same moral hang-ups we were raised with. It’s not about “sleeping around.” It’s about not letting outdated rules dictate your autonomy.

So this is the plan. Or the beginning of one.

Sell the house — when the time is right. Learn Italian properly. Create a life that works for this midlife stage. Choose a space that’s mine, not inherited. And stay open — to change, to clarity, to the idea that life can still shift in new, even surprising, directions.

30/06/2025

I’ve just packing up at the end of a one-week solo trip to the south of Crete and reflecting on whether I packed well with only a small cabin bag (45 x 36 x 20cm). No checked luggage, no 90-euro “upgrade” to the slightly larger cabin bag. Just me, my bag, and a quiet determination to make it work.

For anyone curious — or for future me when I inevitably forget — here’s what actually made it into the case, and what turned out to be enough:

Clothes & shoes:
• 3 bikinis (rotation is key)
• 1 microfibre beach towel (lightweight + dries fast)
• 2 short dresses
• 1 pair of denim shorts
• 1 lightweight vest
• 1 bra (plus 2 stick on b**b things 😊)
• 3 pairs knickers
• 1 macrame beach dress (worn over bikini)
- 1 lightweight dress used as pyjama/ general lounging wear
• Basic running kit: shorts, running bra, vest, socks, wristband, trainers, bumbag, sports watch, cap
• Birkenstocks (highly versatile)
• Walking sandals (essential for dusty goat-trail detours and for boiling beaches)

Essentials:
• Tiny make-up bag (think basics, not a full Sephora)
• Small toiletries pouch (refilled mini bottles, ruthless editing)
- Roll on deodorant
- Toothbrush and small tube toothpaste
• Travel hair straighteners (yes, still vain)
• Hair bands, mirror, comb
- Travel pack make up remover wipes
- Travel pack intimate wipes (for that fresh feeling 😉)
- Nail file
- Tampons (took them as feared they would only sell pads but they had tampons!)
• Small pouch for jewellery (1 pair earrings, 1 necklace, 1 ring — done)
• Flat evening handbag
• Eastpack pouch for daily bits
• Fold-up rucksack for beach hikes and shop runs
• Small tube of factor 50 for face (used religiously)
- Sunglasses x 2 (normal and prescription ones) reading glasses
• Kindle (lifeline)
• Pad and pen (always)
• Phone + chargers + AirPods + battery pack (non-negotiables)
- Passport, titre de séjour, driving license car hire paperwork, bank cards, international health card, cash
- Lighter (cheaper to buy ci******es in Greece than France!)
- Travel ashtray (use everywhere good eco citizen that I am)

Extras that mattered:
• Tea bags + sweeteners (because comfort = rituals)
• Mozzie spray + plug-in device (worked surprisingly well)
• Mini first aid kit (with plasters and painkillers)
• Vitamins (kept up the illusion of health)
• Pocket packs of tissues (very handy)
- Roll of plastic sandwich bags (always useful for collecting shells, carrying snacks etc)
- Pegs (for hanging clothes outside and to secure towels to sun loungers in wind)
- Bottle opener (vital for my desperados which they now sell in Crete 😁)

What I bought locally:

Shampoo, body moisturiser, sun oil, and a bottle of handwash detergent for washing clothes and towel in the sink/shower.
I also bought a snorkel and mask which I will try and squeeze in backpack on way back.
Plus I bought a small bottle of perfume from duty free.

Somehow, it all worked. I didn’t miss anything major. There was freedom in the constraint — in being able to carry everything on my back and still feel prepared. A reminder that I don’t need much. Just a few carefully chosen pieces, a bit of organisation, and a willingness to go. Alone.

Packing light. Travelling light. Feeling lighter.

29/06/2025

Tomorrow is my last day of a one-week solo trip to the south of Crete. It’s been a full, surprising, and quietly powerful experience.

Despite long delays getting here, I picked up the hire car without issue and drove two hours south — just me, a bag, and Google Maps (a total lifesaver). I found an incredible room right on the beach: ice-cold aircon, balcony with a sea view, the sound of waves as constant company.

The first few days were a high — that rush of freedom you get when you land somewhere new, with no one to answer to and everything to discover. I ran early each morning before the heat set in, explored tiny hill villages with goats and sheep roaming free, and snorkelled in clear water with fish all around. I used to hate swimming — avoided it for years — and now I think I’ve found a new hobby.

The south is gloriously quiet. No big resorts, just a handful of low-key tavernas and friendly locals. I’ve gone to the same one every night — the waiters know me now, and I’ve felt looked after in a way that’s gentle and unintrusive. No awkwardness about being a woman alone. Everyone else seems to be couples or young families, but it hasn’t mattered.

Day four hit differently. The loneliness crept in, just a little — the novelty of solo freedom started to wobble, and I missed my kids more than I expected. But a friend video-called at just the right moment, and it shifted something. I felt steadier after that.

The last two days have brought crazy winds — 60 km/h gusts that made beach visits a bit wild (and painful). I nearly gave up, but then ChatGPT of all things helped me find a sheltered cove nearby — hidden, peaceful, protected from the worst of it. Technology saving the day, again.

Tomorrow: one last long run, hopefully more animals, and a few final hours on my favourite sandy beach before a goodbye dinner at my favourite spot. Not ready to leave, but glad I came.

This wasn’t some grand plan. It was in fact, a last minute change of plan. But is is reassuring to still be spontaneous, still try new things. Still make discoveries. Still feel changed, even in a week.

A small solo trip. A big shift.

23/06/2025

Doing new things....

So here we are.
Midlife.
Still in motion.
Still figuring things out.

Last week, I said yes to helping a friend set up installations at the Cannes Lions Festival — doing set ups on Google Beach. It was hands-on, physical, fast-paced work. Problem-solving on the fly. Making the fabric panels, installing them in boiling son on a very unstable sandy beach lifting panels, making things look polished under pressure.
It wasn’t something I’d ever done before. But I showed up, learned fast — and think I did a decent job of keeping pace.

I was also paid generously by my friend, which matters. Because I don’t currently have a regular income. And this unexpected project? It’s now paying for something else that’s well outside my comfort zone:
Tomorrow, I fly to Crete — alone.
A solo trip. Just me, a bag, and a plan to take some space and reflect. I went a few years ago on my first ever solo trip but stayed close to the airport to make things simple. This time I'm hiring a car and discovering the south of the island.

Midlife is strange. So much of what we used to rely on — roles, routines, relationships — starts to shift or fall away. And if you’re not anchored to a job, or a partner, or a clear plan, it’s easy to feel unmoored.
But this past week reminded me that reinvention doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes, it’s just saying yes to something unfamiliar. Showing up. Being useful. Getting paid. And letting that one choice ripple outward into the next.
This wasn’t a masterplan. It was a favour that became work that became something more — a sense of capability and hope.

A moment of momentum.

09/06/2025

"No Job, No Pension… Now What?"

So here we are.

Fifty.

No job.

No pension plan.

But not flat broke, either.

I have two modest rental properties ticking over, a bit of bitcoin stashed away (we’ll see if that’s brilliance or delusion), and a strange combination of calm and panic in equal measure.

This isn’t the version of midlife I imagined. I thought by now, I’d be in a secure and comfortable position. But instead, I’m standing on a kind of economic cliff edge — squinting into the fog and wondering, “Can I make this work… without signing up for a soul-sapping 9-5 again?”

Let’s Be Honest
When you’re 50 and unemployed, the world isn't exactly clambering to get you to work for them. The job market wants fresh, young, plugged-in candidates who know how to TikTok, Slack, and code in three languages before breakfast. Meanwhile, I'm still figuring out if my LinkedIn bio makes me sound “dynamic” or just “desperate.”

But here's the thing: just because the traditional route is looking less appealing doesn’t mean we’re out of options. It just means we have to get smarter — not busier.

So I started musing:
Is it actually possible to earn enough from home, passively (or semi-passively), to fund this next chapter of life?

The Assets I Do Have
Let’s take stock:

Two small rental properties – modest but steady. Not enough to retire on, but enough to keep some cash flowing.

Bitcoin – speculative, yes, but potentially powerful.

Time – precious and, finally, mine.

Experience – decades of learning, failing, surviving, and adapting.

Curiosity – still intact, still buzzing.

A laptop and Wi-Fi – the modern equivalent of land and cattle.

So… What Now?
Let’s talk about the idea of "home-grown income." Here are some of the options I’m seriously considering — not get-rich-quick schemes, but get-sustainable-slowly strategies that feel aligned with this season of life:

1. Digital Products
I’ve spent 25+ years learning. Writing. Creating. Communicating. Could that become an asset?

E-books, online courses, printable journals, templates. I know something. You know something. People pay for what we already know — if we package it right. The best part? Once it's out there, it sells while you sleep.

2. Affiliate Marketing
I used to think affiliate marketing was a bit of a con — until I realized people genuinely appreciate recommendations from real humans. If I can write authentically about things I love and use, and earn a bit of passive income when someone buys through my link… why not?

3. Substack or Patreon
I’m already writing (look at me now!). Could that turn into a small, devoted readership willing to pay a few pounds a month for exclusive content, musings, or even guided prompts for other midlife women trying to find their footing?

4. YouTube or Podcasting (Low-Key Style)
I’m not talking ring lights and perfect makeup — but a quiet space where real conversations happen. A podcast called “Midlife Rewired”? A YouTube channel with unfiltered thoughts on identity, aging, finances, reinvention?

5. Investing More Intentionally
Could I move my bitcoin into other crypto opportunities — staking, lending, or diversifying into ETFs or REITs? The goal isn't to chase trends but to stretch the assets I already have into new forms of return.

6. AI-Enhanced Services
We now live in a world where AI can help you write, design, brainstorm, translate, and organize — even if you’re not “techy.” Could I become a midlife AI whisperer? Helping women use ChatGPT to write their memoirs, start blogs, or market their businesses?

The Bigger Question
But maybe the real question isn’t how can I make money from home?

Maybe it’s:

How can I craft a life that feels good, exciting and free — without burning out or giving up my autonomy?

Because at this age, I think freedom is the real currency. Flexibility. Purpose. Waking up and not feeling trapped.

Maybe I won’t be rich. Maybe I won’t have the pension of dreams. But if I can piece together a patchwork of income streams — enough to live, travel sometimes, support my kids when they need it, and enjoy the odd night out — then isn’t that enough?

27/05/2025

Hello

I’m working on a new online course specifically for midlife women who want to move from feeling overwhelmed or fearful about AI, to confidently using it every day to bring real value to their lives.

We all grew up in a world before the internet, smartphones, and AI — and the pace of change since then has been staggering.

If we want to truly understand the digital world our kids and definitely our grandkids will/do live in, and harness AI’s power ourselves, mastering the basics is key.

This isn’t just about ChatGPT — although that’s an important part — it’s about exploring a range of friendly, accessible AI tools that can help with everything from writing and organizing, to creativity, planning, and even emotional support.

The course will show how AI can improve daily life, boost efficiency, reduce mental load, and open up new possibilities — all in a way that feels manageable and relevant.

I’d love to know: Are you interested? What worries or questions do you have about AI?

16/05/2025

This week has been… quiet.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m grateful for the time and space. Not working right now means I can finally catch up on the never-ending list of “I’ll do it one day” tasks. The garden got some long-overdue love, I’ve been patching up cracks in the walls, ticking off DIY jobs that have been staring at me for months.

But truthfully?
It’s also been a long week with very little human contact.
Apart from chats with my kids (which, don't get me wrong I love!) and my ever-faithful dog and tortoise, it’s been me, myself, and my to-do list.

And while solitude can be healing I know that connection is necessary.

So tonight—I’m going out. Nothing fancy, just heading into the old town where I know I’ll find familiar faces? I’m lucky like that. I have friends who work in the local spots, others who sing in the bars… and even when I go out alone, I’m never really alone. I’m always greeted with a smile, a glass, a song.

There’s something beautiful about this stage of life—learning to enjoy your own company and knowing when you need others.

So here’s to midlife freedom.
To real conversations.
To showing up, even solo.

Midlife Musings with Tanya

01/09/2025

12/08/2025

05/08/2025

05/08/2025

13/07/2025

30/06/2025

29/06/2025

23/06/2025

09/06/2025

27/05/2025

16/05/2025

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