
Turning 50 feels like stepping into a thresholdโa moment where the past and future meet, and you stand in the middle, holding the lessons of one hand while reaching for the unknown with the other. For me, this milestone isnโt just about counting years; itโs about embracing who Iโve become, honoring where Iโve been, and celebrating where Iโm heading.
I never thought I could or would travel the world. As a younger version of myself, the idea of traveling seemed meant for other peopleโthose with more confidence, courage, or freedom than I thought I could ever claim. But here I am, at 50, reflecting on a life lived across the globe. Iโve stood at Everest Base Camp, wandered the vibrant streets of Kathmandu, traced history in the ancient alleys of Istanbul, slept under the stars of the Sahara Desert, stood in awe at the Egyptian pyramids, and found peace in the spiritual heart of India and beyond. Iโve explored Europe, marvelled at its wonders, and just a few months ago, said โI doโ to my best friend in Italy. Iโve lived six years in Costa Rica, surrounded by lush jungles and endless beaches, and a year in Botswana, immersed in the wild rhythm of life in the African bush. Iโve experienced the charm of Vermontโs green mountains and the grounding simplicity of a slower pace of life. Each place has not only shaped my perspective but also taught me more about resilience, courage, and the depth of my own spirit.
Travel hasn't been about seeing new placesโit has always been about breaking through my own fears, expanding what I believed was possible, and realizing that the limits Iโd placed on myself were never really there at all. It taught me to lean into the unknown, to trust myself, and to find beauty not just in far-off destinations but in the life I was building along the way.
Yet, the greatest journey hasnโt been about the places Iโve visited or lived; it has been the journey back to myself.
For years, like so many women, I adapted to expectationsโshaping myself to fit roles and relationships, often losing sight of the woman I was meant to be. But every challenge, every heartbreak, every twist in the road was an invitation to rise. Life has been a journey of unbecoming who I thought I should be and instead stepping into who I truly am.
This decade, though, has been about more than personal growth. Itโs been about creating. Iโve built businesses from scratchโsome that thrived and some that taught me invaluable lessons. Iโve taken on the joys and challenges of step-parenting, navigating love and boundaries in a way I never anticipated but that has profoundly enriched my life. And Iโve had the immense privilege of marrying my best friend, a man who sees me, steadies me, and makes every adventureโwhether around the world or in our daily lifeโmore meaningful.
Now, at 50, I see this time as a beginning. A return homeโnot just to the dreams Iโve set aside but to the unapologetic version of myself I was always meant to be. Thatโs why I chose to mark this milestone in India, immersing myself in yoga teacher training. This isnโt just about learning new poses or techniques; itโs about resetting my heart, mind, and soul. Itโs about grounding myself in the present, shedding what no longer serves me, and creating space for what comes next.
As Iโve sat and reflected on my life so far, Iโve shed tears. Tears for the losses that shaped me, for the moments of doubt that taught me resilience, and for the fleeting nature of time that makes every moment so achingly precious. But mostly, Iโve shed tears of gratitudeโgratitude for the incredible, messy, and beautiful life Iโve lived so far. A life filled with adventures I never thought possible, friendships that have been my anchors, and a love that feels like coming home.
Through it all, one of the greatest gifts has been the women in my lifeโthe friendships that have anchored me. You donโt need a room full of people; you just need a handful of true ones. The kind of women who see you, who hold space for your dreams, and who remind you of your strength when you forget. Theyโve cheered me on through the highs, lifted me through the lows, and shown me that we are stronger together.
If I could go back and whisper something to my younger self, Iโd tell her this:
โYou are so much stronger than you think. Donโt be afraid to take risks, to fail, to love, and to lose. Keep your girlfriends close and cherish them. The world is so much biggerโand so much more beautifulโthan you imagine. And so are you.โ
This is what 50 feels like: a moment to pause and reflect, to celebrate how far Iโve come, and to dream of the adventures yet to unfold. If the first half of my life is any representation of the second half, then bring it on. Because not only am I ready for whatโs next, but I get to spend it married to my best friend, building a life together filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.
Fifty is an arrival. A time to live fully, love deeply, and rise boldly. Hereโs to the friendships that sustain us, the adventures that transform us, and the women we are still becoming. Because if Iโve learned anything in these years, itโs that the best is always yet to come.
in friendship and adventure
Penny
XOXO
Comments