Today I’m so happy to be introducing you to another talented woman in the Women Over 50 Who Blog series.
The tribe of women in mid-life who are sharing their thoughts, ideas and tips about getting older in style is growing rapidly, and I love being able to feature them on Lifestyle Fifty.
Other posts in this series
Blogs By Women Over 50 – Part 1
Inspiring women who blog – Part 2
Women over 50 who blog – Part 3
Women over 50 who blog – Part 4
Blogs for women over 50 – Part 5
Fabulous bloggers over 50 – Part 6
Meet Marlene Caraballo!
Over to you Marlene!
I am fifty-four year old creative entrepreneur, mom, designer and blogger at Cheers to Chapter Two.
I live in Orange County, New York and am a mom to three sons, ages 22, 18 and 15, and to a four-legger named Nutley.
Why I started a blog
I feel a definitive transition from the insanely busy and chaotic Chapter One of life, culminating around age fifty, and the move into a more reflective and joyful soul-searching Chapter Two.
In my search for inspiration from other women over fifty who are rocking the second “chapter” of their lives, I realized I needed to express my own journey through blogging (or go nuts). I find comfort and encouragement in talking to my friends – especially my over fifty friends – and I figured others might want and even need to share, celebrate, explore and even co-miserate about this journey along with me.
Women of all ages face certain common issues, but there are some unique challenges and situations that women over fifty have in common. For me, it’s been staying positive.
It’s been my experience that no one can quite talk you off the ledge like a girlfriend.
Not that I don’t find younger women’s web and social media stories interesting and inspiring, I do. I especially like to follow health, fitness, organizing and wellness personalities/sites – as those are always areas I need (much!) improvement. Even if I take no action on their inspiration, it’s still puts some good stuff in my head and on my to-do, but maybe I won’t do, list.
A tribe of women over 50
More and more, I find myself steering toward real stories on how woman over fifty are navigating their lives after their children have grown and flown. How are they dealing with the same life challenges that I am? I yearn to connect, to be real, to be honest, and to be my authentic self, more than I ever have before.
I want to figure out who I am in this second chapter of life, what I want to do, where I want to be, and to do more of what really matters now.
I can’t be the only over fifty woman who is tired of seeing magazine story titles such as, “How to please your man” and “1,000 ways to make chicken”. I want more. I want new adventures and avenues for joy and happiness.
I’m ready for soaking in as much inspiration and positivity as possible, even while facing the serious issues this stage of life can bring us, such as illnesses, aging parents, depression, divorce…
It’s personal
I don’t have a super-interesting or unique life, but I’m hopeful there are other women over fifty out there who can relate and are looking to share thoughts, gripes, fears, hopes and stories of the same.
I don’t want to focus on age itself, but having age in common is the thread that ties us together. I believe there is comfort in company and that sharing relatable stories, inspiration and truth with my readers brings comfort and inspiration.
I’d love for to connect with others through my blog and social media as we share the funny, pissy, fabulous, awful, happy, bitchy, sad, hopeful, fearful, joyous over fifty ride – Cheers to Chapter Two!
Find Marlene at Cheers to Chapter Two
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Are you a women over 50 who has a blog? Please drop me an email or let me know in the comments if you’d like to be featured in this series.
15 Top Tips for Personal Style after 50
Hi Jo, thanks for sharing another fabulous midlife blogger with us! I love meeting new people, so hi to Marlene as well 🙂 . I’ll pop over to Marlene’s blog and take a look. Have pinned this post for #mlstl
Hello Debbie, ahhh thank you for popping by to support and say hello to Marlene! And for sharing this post 🙂
Hi Marlene lovely to meet you and I’ve just popped over to subscribe. We all have our own stories to tell and I’m looking forward to getting to know you. Thanks Jo for showcasing another fabulous Woman Over 50 blogger. #MLSTL
Hi Sue, thanks so much. Glad you’re enjoying the series 🙂
Hi Marlene, it’s great to meet you and learn of another midlife blogger! I think that most of us, like you, have ‘ordinary’ lives, but we all have a unique voice. That’s what I love about blogging. #MLSTL
Hi Candi, Thanks for popping by. Yes, we all have a different take on life and unique voices – that’s what’s so lovely about our midlife trib 🙂
Hi Marlene
I’m your newest follower-haha! Looking forward to hearing more from you! Your blog philosophy sounds very similar to mine.
-Theresa @ fabinyourfifties.com
Thanks for popping by Theresa, and for following Marlene too!
Another great blogger to follow. Thanks Jo! As an aside, is there 1000 ways to make chicken?
Hi Jo, yes this tribe is growing and growing – it’s lovely. Umm I’m not sure about the chicken thing? I’m going to check it out!!
Hi Marlene I enjoyed reading about your blogging experience. Much of what you say does resonate with me. Happy to have you as one of my over 50 blogging friends. I look forward to reading more from you #MLSTL Will share
Thanks for popping by and for sharing Jennifer 🙂
Hi Marlene, it is nice to meet you. You expressed well the same ideals and thoughts I had when I decided to start a blog in my mid-fifties. I want more! I’ve come to realize than many women go through this phase of figuring out who they are now and what they want in this phase of life. At first, I thought I was abnormal! Then I found an entire blogging world full of like-minded women!
It’s great isn’t it Michele! We have found our tribe!
Lovely to meet you Marlene and I love the name of your blog! I think your thought process and reason behind blogging resonates with a lot us in Midlife and why we started. I love the community I’ve found – they seem to “get” me even more than my IRL girlfriends do – we are on similar journeys of positivity and discovery and cheer each other on. I’m off to have a look at your blog and if you’re looking to expand your “tribe” feel free to link up with our Midlife party on Wednesdays (Midlife Share the Love) – they’re a fabulous bunch of women who share their lives and stories (just check the guidelines and go for it!)
PS: Jo this has been such a great series!
Hi Leanne, we are so lucky to have such an active and supportive community. Thank you for sharing and popping by and I’m so glad you are enjoying this series too x
Hi Jo – just popping back with #MLSTL and to let you know I’ve shared on my SM xx