Managing Life at 49: Student, Leader, Wife, Mom, Grandma… Human

Let’s just say this upfront: being 49 and managing life as a graduate student at the end of the semester while holding down a full-time leadership role, supervising a staff of 13, showing up for your adult kids (24 and 27), being present as a grandma, a wife, and somehow squeezing in travel—it’s not for the faint of heart.

At this point, I’m convinced that my calendar is secretly mocking me. Deadlines, team meetings, term papers, supervision notes, marriage check-ins, text messages from grown kids who still need you (even if they won’t say it that way), snack requests from grandchildren, and flight confirmations all blend together into one continuous scroll of go, go, go. And yet, somehow, I’m still standing.

So what does it look like to survive—and maybe even thrive—in this season of life?

Prioritize Like a Boss (Because You Are One)

Not everything will get done. And certainly not everything will get done well. Some weeks, the staff gets my best energy. Other days, it's my classmates who hear the clearest version of my brain. My family always gets me, even if that’s the version that’s a little sleep-deprived but emotionally present. The trick is knowing what actually matters that day and leading with that.

Give Yourself the Grace You Offer Everyone Else

I’m in a field where compassion is a given—for clients, coworkers, families. But extending that same grace inward can be tough. I’ve learned to let go of the guilt when the laundry piles up or when dinner comes from a drive-thru. Surviving (and sometimes even shining) in this stage of life means allowing room for imperfection. Therapy has taught me that rest isn't earned—it's necessary.

Boundaries Are a Form of Love

Whether it’s blocking off an hour to write a paper, turning off Slack after 6 p.m., or letting my grandkids know that "GranGran

Beach fun with my Gran!

is on a deadline,” boundaries are how I stay sane. They don’t make me less available—they make me more whole when I do show up.

Lean Into Joy Wherever It Shows Up

Sometimes that means a laugh with my team, an impromptu coffee date with my daughter, an early morning walk with my husband, or the quiet triumph of submitting an assignment on time. Travel, even if it’s just a short getaway, helps me reset. It reminds me that the world is still big, and I’m still becoming.

Therapy Helps

Yes, even for therapists. Especially for therapists. Having a space to unpack the mental load—of leadership, family, school, marriage, and life—is a gift I’ve stopped apologizing for. It makes me a better professional, a more present parent, a grounded wife, and a softer human.

To anyone out there juggling roles, responsibilities, and relationships—I see you. It’s hard. It’s sacred. It’s yours.

And if you need a place to talk it out or find your footing again, Creative Counseling Solutions is here for that too. You don’t have to carry it all alone.