Life after raising children—or even after decades in a career—is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a new chapter. This blog was created for middle-agers who find themselves standing at a crossroads: the kids are grown, the career may be shifting, and the question quietly arises—what’s next?

My name is Toni, and I am 57 years old. I am a proud mother of six, and my life’s work has stretched across academia, ministry, and the nonprofit world. I have spent decades pouring myself into others—teaching, leading, nurturing, and serving. On paper, it sounds full, rich, and meaningful. And in many ways, it has been. But behind the degrees, the titles, and the many hats I’ve worn, there have been seasons when I’ve wrestled with something many women quietly endure: depression and the slow fading of my own sense of self.