Book excerpt: Allison Aubrey finds fresh creative possibilities in midlife
A search for new possibilities
After years of balancing children and a career, Allison Aubrey reached what she calls a midlife wall and took a break from her day job. She described the sabbatical as a “curiosity tour,” seeking people who had made bold, heartfelt changes.
Their stories, she writes, left her more hopeful about what could come next. A bluebell hike along the Potomac River led her to notice photographer Amy Wilton’s images, though the excerpt does not describe what happened after Aubrey asked to see them again.
A singer finds her way back
Aubrey visited Kristi Kalajian in Camden, Maine. Kalajian works part time as a physician assistant and sings in a band, a possibility she began considering seriously around her 50th birthday.
She wanted to return to performing, but her small-town home, two teenagers and demanding job made touring impractical. Within a month, a local musician invited her to join a band, and the group began rehearsing a few weeks later. They have continued playing gigs.
Making room for creativity
Aubrey writes that lighter parenting and work responsibilities can create space for creative interests. Dr. Jeremy Nobel, a primary care doctor and poet, sums up his approach this way: “Be curious. Make things. Have conversations.”
Aubrey says waiting until retirement could mean missing an opportunity. She encourages readers to take an initial step, even if it is small, and explore different activities without pressure to stick with the first one.
Trying ideas with others
Possible pursuits include painting, pottery, poetry, music, theater, culinary arts and gardening. Nobel calls gardening the “slowest form of performance art,” and Aubrey points readers to CreativityHub for prompts.
Aubrey also describes Alison Richards and three friends from England who use a WhatsApp group to exchange creative prompts. The friends respond to a shared idea, such as a nature photograph or a line of prose, in different ways, combining creative practice with connection.
Key points
- Allison Aubrey’s book excerpt explores creative possibilities during midlife.
- Physician assistant Kristi Kalajian joined a band after turning 50.
- Aubrey recommends trying creative activities without pressure to continue.
- Friends can use shared prompts to encourage creativity and connection.