21 Comments
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Valerie Monroe's avatar

So I saw the photos and thought, Who IS this woman, and realizing it was Kimberly H I read on, loving her as usual and then...how thrilled I am that HNTFUYF has influenced her in such a positive way. Thrilled, and grateful for her generosity in mentioning that. xo

Sari Botton's avatar

You and your newsletter are amazing, Val. I wasn't surprised when Kimberly mentioned you! <3

Valerie Monroe's avatar

Thank you, Sari. It's a mutual admiration club! xo

Chrissie Hawkes's avatar

Loving reading your posts. So interesting to get others views on growing older. Thank you. Finding them very reassuring xx

Gloria's avatar

Absolutely loved this piece!! Sage advice.

Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

So excited for this woman. I love reading about women who feel younger than their age. I'm almost 60, look fab, but my health issues make me feel like I'm 75. Exterior- 40, Interior--75. Because my substack is a humorous look at aging, I can't reveal too many details about how I truly feel. (Most comedians are secretly sad.) Thx for letting me live vicariously.

Candice Crossley's avatar

Absolutely great essay. And as a former Portlander for three decades transplanted to New England (CT) I still can’t wade through the consistent culture shock. Will have to read your other works. Thanks.

Daphne Berryhill's avatar

"I’m interested in women who are creative and have been through some real shit and come out the other side. " - Feel the exact same way! Those are the role models I want. And the stories I wanna read. Because if we're lucky enough to grow old, we're probably gonna go through harder shit than we've ever been through. So might as well be inspired to grow and get ready for it during our middle years.

CeCe Sullivan's avatar

Just a terrific piece of writing and view of a very personal, very human aging process. I turned 70 last October and am single, withdrew from dating 30 years ago, for reasons I won’t go into here. But about 6 weeks ago I decided that I missed the company of a man, of a lover, and joined a dating site. I expect to have the best sex of my life in the years to come.

Sari Botton's avatar

Go, CeCe! Good luck on the dating/sex front.

The Girl Can't Help It's avatar

"you have you to complete, and there is no deal." Sly Stone, "Stand" (celebrating a birthday today)

The Girl Can't Help It's avatar

Not me - Sly Stone!

The Girl Can't Help It's avatar

This hit every one of my aging and finding myself points. Including the miscarriages and mid 30s births. But I have 10 years additional on you, and the unsatisfying marriage is still intact. It’s almost too late for anything else.

Courtney Daniels's avatar

It's never too late. A friend just told me about a woman she knows who's in her 70s who's had 4 marriages. Her current husband is finally her true soulmate and she's happier than ever.

Richard Grayson's avatar

This is one of the most thoughtful responses to the questions.

Susan Lobel's avatar

Really liked this. I’m loving these posts!

Gillian Longworth McGuire's avatar

COS is the best thing! (though sometimes you do see yourself coming & going because it’s not a secret anymore 😉😂) I have just taken some of my favorite summer dresses across the river to be copied in bright African wax fabric

Courtney Daniels's avatar

I love the title of your book and the jacket art.