Feeling this third act very much too, and I have grandchildren! It's solo travel for me after decades of lists and picnics, sick bags and spare clothes. A new career carved and being moulded in the way I want it to go, not being dictated to by a boss. Time to do what I want, go to the places I want to. I'm 64 and consider this decade I'm in, 60-70 such a treat. As long as my health stands up!
Yes! with or without grandchildren, and I hope mine will come in a decade’s time, this third life is conjured and ours in a way our parents never had. This time is ours.
Yes to all this! Third act’s a charm, I believe. I shall be a grandmother in September, and my book out with Empress next year, and two more in the pipeline. And now that my health is so much better, I want to travel again, and see people, and go to conferences, and literary events. Aren’t we lucky to have these opportunities!
And the fourth, after nearly falling for the grim reaper's script, is by far the best. Shorter but most things are best when there's only a little left: Simnel cake; Amber; The end of a climb/holiday/hard job; dark-chocolate covered ginger and time.
Your third life is your best life, in my humble opinion age 84. You morph into your real self and it feels so good. It's beginning to get a bit tougher as Ray has been diagnosed with Parkinson's and is recovering ever so slowly from a fall. My health remains unbelievably good and I really can't believe I am 90 minus 6 and I can still do most things, including standing on my head (and including, much more importantly, sex). Relax and enjoy.
And I haven't forgotten Age 83 with Potential. It is very close to finished, but has been on the back burner because of so much going on. It will be stronger as a result of posts I have written in the meantime!
Your reunion with that glory of a summer garden ironically metaphors what your Third Life is all about now, weeds and all! A stage set, full of scented, trailing and budded options ready to bury your face into. Have fun Eleanor.
And, I am so pleased to be the owner and reader of one the first editions of A Memoir in 65 Postcards. It's a lesson in Memoir writing.
Third life! Yes! Love this framing. As someone who can slide too easily into nostalgia, it’s a good reminder of the rich potential and simple daily joys of this time.
It’s so inspiring to hear these stories. As a woman of only 32 years, I worry about what my life will look like in its third act - we are so lacking a culture of story telling around it. I want to know, I want you to walk the blue print and pass it back to us.
Thank you Willow. I had my music library on random shuffle yesterday and what should come on but Alone, set to your score. It stopped me in my tracks and made me cry. I think I should republish all of them. When I’ve got five minutes I’ll dig them out. They were, your scores, sublime.
This is lovely. I am in my Fifth Season at age 75. I was not anticipating how much joy I find in life most days. If American politics were different, I might enjoy everyday.
I am reading your memoir in postcards now. I have quite the crush on the woman you were then, but suspect I would also like the woman you are now. No offense intended by those remarks. I am a harmless old fart who has always admired tough, wise women.
I thank you for sharing your adventures with us. 🙏❤️☮️
Third life is a good term for it. I relish having more freedom in my sixties, since my parents died and my children flew the nest. No longer sandwiched.
Feeling this third act very much too, and I have grandchildren! It's solo travel for me after decades of lists and picnics, sick bags and spare clothes. A new career carved and being moulded in the way I want it to go, not being dictated to by a boss. Time to do what I want, go to the places I want to. I'm 64 and consider this decade I'm in, 60-70 such a treat. As long as my health stands up!
Yes! with or without grandchildren, and I hope mine will come in a decade’s time, this third life is conjured and ours in a way our parents never had. This time is ours.
Our time is now 💃
Our time is now 💃🏻
Yes to all this! Third act’s a charm, I believe. I shall be a grandmother in September, and my book out with Empress next year, and two more in the pipeline. And now that my health is so much better, I want to travel again, and see people, and go to conferences, and literary events. Aren’t we lucky to have these opportunities!
💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
We are indeed! Love your energy 💗
And the fourth, after nearly falling for the grim reaper's script, is by far the best. Shorter but most things are best when there's only a little left: Simnel cake; Amber; The end of a climb/holiday/hard job; dark-chocolate covered ginger and time.
Love this. Third life is something to look forward to.
Your third life is your best life, in my humble opinion age 84. You morph into your real self and it feels so good. It's beginning to get a bit tougher as Ray has been diagnosed with Parkinson's and is recovering ever so slowly from a fall. My health remains unbelievably good and I really can't believe I am 90 minus 6 and I can still do most things, including standing on my head (and including, much more importantly, sex). Relax and enjoy.
And I haven't forgotten Age 83 with Potential. It is very close to finished, but has been on the back burner because of so much going on. It will be stronger as a result of posts I have written in the meantime!
Inspire!
Your reunion with that glory of a summer garden ironically metaphors what your Third Life is all about now, weeds and all! A stage set, full of scented, trailing and budded options ready to bury your face into. Have fun Eleanor.
And, I am so pleased to be the owner and reader of one the first editions of A Memoir in 65 Postcards. It's a lesson in Memoir writing.
So pleased you have one! Thanks Sally.
we met a couple who run goat pack walks in the mountains of southern spain a few days back and we said much the same as this when we got home...
Yes. Now I’ve identified it, I’m seeing it everywhere.
Third life! Yes! Love this framing. As someone who can slide too easily into nostalgia, it’s a good reminder of the rich potential and simple daily joys of this time.
It’s so inspiring to hear these stories. As a woman of only 32 years, I worry about what my life will look like in its third act - we are so lacking a culture of story telling around it. I want to know, I want you to walk the blue print and pass it back to us.
It’s a riot my friend. By far the best of the acts so far. Happy to keep reporting.
Third life is everything. I liked this, too:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/13/opinion/middle-age-women-invisible.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qVA.AC_l.6BiKatJwh_A-&smid=url-share
Also, "weeds" FTW!
Weeds! That was you 😊
About your root canal…….you may want to watch, Root Cause- The movie on YouTube.
Your writing . It is as if you are speaking with me. It is a conversation that doesn’t feel one way though it is of course.
Thank you. That’s what I aim for. The straight arrow.
“There is no such thing as a weed.” Ugh, beautiful.
I assume you’ve read Wendell Berry, but if not, I think you’d find a kindred spirit in him.
(Jayber Crow is a remarkable, beautiful, calm novel with no business being both gripping and immensely peaceful, but it manages it).
So glad you’re pushing your work into the world like this—immensely grateful for your writing.
Thank you Willow. I had my music library on random shuffle yesterday and what should come on but Alone, set to your score. It stopped me in my tracks and made me cry. I think I should republish all of them. When I’ve got five minutes I’ll dig them out. They were, your scores, sublime.
That’s two of us, crying, now. ♥️
yup
I pray that is my last journey solo around the world. I’m working at it.
🙌
This is lovely. I am in my Fifth Season at age 75. I was not anticipating how much joy I find in life most days. If American politics were different, I might enjoy everyday.
I am reading your memoir in postcards now. I have quite the crush on the woman you were then, but suspect I would also like the woman you are now. No offense intended by those remarks. I am a harmless old fart who has always admired tough, wise women.
I thank you for sharing your adventures with us. 🙏❤️☮️
None taken. 😊. Delighted you’re reading.
🫶🏻 interesting about the first gen to have a third life — love this
Third life is a good term for it. I relish having more freedom in my sixties, since my parents died and my children flew the nest. No longer sandwiched.
Right.