Hélène’s

Continuing on my journey to challenge myself and try new things, I recently joined a pickleball Meetup here in Chicago. (Haven't heard of pickleball yet? You will! It's kind of a cross between ping...

I preach the importance of getting out of our comfort zones, of challenging ourselves, at any age. But let's face it, as we hit midlife and beyond, it's tempting to stick to our familiar routines,...

I subscribe to many email newsletters. They have to do with current affairs, history, women, midlife, psychology, community, entrepreneurship, life hacks, and other sources of learning and personal...

I thought that once my twin daughters graduated college, they'd be officially launched and we'd ease into a more mature, adult relationship. Here's how that naive scenario went: As they began their...

Here's my experience, and that of most of the women I talk to: Marriage is F—ING HARD. I have had this conversation with many of my girlfriends as well as members of my THRIVE membership for women...

We are spending the winter in a wonderful community in Sarasota, Florida, with 120 homes and an active homeowners' association. Last Thursday, there was a bluegrass band on the beach complete with a...

I am writing this as I travel to Los Angeles to visit my daughter. The short ride to the Sarasota airport flew by thanks to an enjoyable conversation with my Uber driver, Nixon, a 50-something man...

During a Zoom meeting with the leaders of an all-volunteer women's nonprofit, I witnessed one woman (we'll call her Karen) lash out against another woman (our leader no less, let's name her Susan),...

I recently spent a long week-end with my daughter Bianca at a beautiful spa in California. Beyond the standard fitness classes, we also enjoyed less common experiences like mountain hikes and...

I snapped at the pool guy who was giving me a hard time for not adding water to our rental's leaky pool. I hung up on the Blue Cross Blue Shield rep who left me on hold for 1/2 hour while he was...