The Sun Is Setting… and So Are My 40s

Week Three of the Joie de Vivre Challenge

The sun is setting.

We’re 14 days into the challenge (though truth be told, we’ve been at our family Joie de Vivre beach challenge for about 19 days).

Honestly, the payoff is better this year than any. I’ve found I’m more organized, less obsessed with work, and taking much-needed deep breaths…Perhaps that’s cause I’m in a state of perspective - the countdown is on. I have seven days left in my 40s.

Seven days.

Seven.

Days.

I vacillate from being stoic, regal, and cool about it - like, “I’m older and wiser and have something new to offer the world.”, to, “Oh, CRAP! How is this happening?”

I got legit carded buying a bottle of wine this evening- so that helped.

(I had to convince him that we knew each other and that he simply wasn’t used to me in a ball cap. I told him I was turning 50 next week and asked if I could get this driver’s licence request in writing. Then he started backpedaling, and I told him to quit while he was ahead. “This started out as a compliment”, I said. “Let’s keep it that way.”

I have no idea where I’m going with this, and perhaps, according to a reader last week, I should go nowhere with it. She told me to “Stop writing.”

So that was fun. ‘Cause writers don’t have feelings.

It’s July after all. I only wanted to pop in this week and say thank you for all the encouragement. Most of you didn’t tell me to “stop writing”; instead, you told me all the great things you’ve committed to for the Joie de Vivre Challenge. You’re

-writing a poem a day

-wearing a dress every day

-visiting your condo’s pool every day

-trying a new recipe every day

-dancing with your children every day

and more.

This is joie de vivre.

If you’re not participating in my July Joie de Vivre Challenge…

How to Join

• Pick one thing that brings you joy.

• Do it every day in July. It’s not too late. We’ve got half a month left.

• Share this post on your social and with someone personally who might like to experience more pleasure this summer.

• Share on Instagram if you like, using #JoieDeVivreChallenge2025

• For my paid readers, I made you a printable calendar loaded with THIRTY-ONE French quotes to inspire you in your quest for Joie de Vivre this month. You’re third week is available below.

Love to you all. PLEASE don’t hesitate to email me back and tell me what you’re doing this month. Remember - in a world full of restrictions and being told you need to cut things out of your life - this is your encouragement and your permission to add things IN!

Your printable Week Three Calendar is down below.