Wednesday, October 24, 2012

SEARCHING FOR MIDLIFE FRIENDS?

WELCOME TO MIDLIFE MEMOS
THE SWAMP GODDESS®GUIDE TO MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM AND AGING ANGST
BLOG #70 by Wendy Kyman, Ph.D.
SEARCHING FOR MIDLIFE FRIENDS

In our search to develop quality midlife friendships, we've been taking
a trip down memory lane.
Many of us have experimented with social networking in order to
locate childhood friends.
I hope you are having excellent results.

Potential Results
- We reconnect with an old friend and seamlessly (and surprisingly) resume our long-ago
relationship. Wonderful.
- We realize the years apart have created a divide too wide for certain old friends to
navigate. Not a surprise.
- We learn there are one or two old friends who harbor unresolved anger toward us. Oh pul-eeze!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is worthwhile to double check your expectations.
Plus, it's helpful to distinguish between fantasy and reality to keep expectations grounded.

UNHOMEWORK
Have you begun to locate old friends through social networking?
Any happy reunions?
What can you do to make an old friend become a quality midlife friend?

NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC
... midlife friendships take a look back ...

HELPFUL HINTS
Midlife Memos is posted weekly.
If you click on 'followers' or 'subscribe,' you will automatically receive each new one.
Or
Just come back to www.midlifememos.com

NOTE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:          drwendykyman@gmail.com
Facebook:    www.facebook.com/drwendykyman
Twitter:        www.twitter.com/@drwendykyman

TO READ PREVIOUS POSTS
To the right, under BLOG ARCHIVES, click '2010' '2011' '2012.'
Keep scrolling all the way to read any, or all, of the earlier Midlife Memos,
especially The Birth of Swamp Goddess. I bet you will relate.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

OLD FRIENDS BECOME MIDLIFE FRIENDS

WELCOME TO MIDLIFE MEMOS
THE SWAMP GODDESS® GUIDE TO MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM AND AGING ANGST
BLOG #69 by Wendy Kyman, Ph.D.
OLD FRIENDS BECOME MIDLIFE FRIENDS

We have located old friends through social networking.
What is the next step?

With some old friends - we will check in with each other, say 'hello,' and move on.
For others - we will have regular 'let's catch up' chats.
Generally, we feel warm affection and stirrings of nostalgia.
However, do not be surprised if one or two long-ago friends are not
interested in rekindling relationships.

A precious few will become solid reconnections.
Seemingly, the years melt away as you and an old friend pick up where
the friendship left off many years ago.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Decide what type of reconnection you want.
Set limits that work for you.

UNHOMEWORK
What were your expectations when you set out to reconnect with old friends?
Describe your experiences finding old friends.
Have they been positive? In what ways?
Have you had any disappointments? Why?

NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC
...  searching for old friends

HELPFUL HINTS
Midlife Memos is posted weekly.
If you click 'followers' or 'subscribe,' you will automatically receive each new one.
Or
Just come back to www.midlifememos.com

NOTE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:              drwendykyman@gmail.com
Facebook:        www.facebook.com/drwendykyman
Twitter:            www.twitter.com/@drwendykyman

TO READ PREVIOUS POSTS
To the right, under BLOG ARCHIVES, click '2010' '2011' '2012.'
Keep scrolling all the way to read any, or all, of the earlier Midlife Memos, especially
The Birth of Swamp Goddess. I bet you will relate.







Wednesday, October 10, 2012

OLD FRIENDS FIND MIDLIFE FRIENDS

WELCOME TO MIDLIFE MEMOS
THE SWAMP GODDESS® GUIDE TO MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM AND AGING ANGST
BLOG # 68 by Wendy Kyman, Ph.D.
OLD FRIENDS FIND MIDLIFE FRIENDS

It is a special joy when old friends become midlife friends.

How does this happen?
Currently, most old friends find each other and reconnect through social media,
especially Facebook.

Many double milestoners are adept at using social media and probably
already located old friends. Good for you.
However,  there are those of us still learning.

Here's a few basic tips for finding, and being found, by old friends.
Obviously, childhood friends remember our unmarried names.
You may be surprised how many women, posting to social media sites using their
married names, wonder why no old friends are contacting them. Duhhhh!

There is an easy solution.
Post both your unmarried and married names as your Facebook identity. Double Duhhhh!

Then there is the issue of posting a photo to social media sites.
A few wise folks have posted current photos along with a positive attitude, essentially
stating 'this is what 50, 60, 70 (insert your age) looks like.'

Even if posting a current photo, there are double milestoners who refrain from
using close-ups.
Others use photos from high school days.

 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Resist posting very personal information. For example, month and day of your
birthday is sufficient. It is not necessary to give year of birth.
Be aware of 'privacy settings.'

UNHOMEWORK
Consider joining Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
Consider posting a photo.
Ask for help from experienced posters, especially concerning 'privacy settings.'

NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC
Old friends become midlife friends ...

HELPFUL HINTS
Midlife Memos is posted weekly.
If you click on 'followers' or 'subscribe,' you will automatically receive each new one.
Or
Just come back to www.midlife memos.com

NOTE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:             drwendykyman@gmail.com
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/drwendykyman
Twitter:           www.twitter.com/@drwendykyman

TO READ PREVIOUS POSTS
To the right, under BLOG ARCHIVES, click '2010' '2011' '2012.'
Keep scrolling all the way to read any, or all, of the earlier Midlife Memos, especially
The Birth of Swamp Goddess. I bet you will relate.




Wednesday, October 3, 2012

MIDLIFE FRIENDS WERE OLD FRIENDS

WELCOME TO MIDLIFE MEMOS
THE SWAMP GODDESS® GUIDE TO MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM AND AGING ANGST
BLOG # 67 by Wendy Kyman, Ph.D.
MIDLIFE FRIENDS WERE OLD FRIENDS 

What can we expect when we reconnect with an old (childhood) friend?

Actually, the response is pretty obvious.
It depends on what the childhood friendship was like.

If we had a happy friendship, with positive memories, we hope for
more of the same.

On the flip side, if it was an unhappy friendship, with negative
memories, is it realistic to expect a fresh start?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Before contacting an old friend, remember back to the reasons why the
friendship ended. Feelings - both positive and negative -  may linger, even
after many years.

UNHOMEWORK
Are you considering contacting old (childhood) friends?
Why do you want to reconnect?
Do you remember the reasons why the friendships ended?
What are your expectations?

NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC
Old friends find midlife friends ...

HELPFUL HINTS
Midlife Memos is posted weekly.
If you click on 'followers' or 'subscribe,' you will automatically receive each new one.
Or
Just come back to www.midlifememos.com

NOTE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email:         drwendykyman@gmail.com
Facebook:   www.facebook.com/drwendykyman
Twitter:       www.twitter.com/@drwendykyman

TO READ PREVIOUS POSTS
To the right, under BLOG ARCHIVES, click '2010' '2011' '2012.'
Keep scrolling all the way to read any, or all, of the earlier Midlife Memos,
especially The Birth of Swamp Goddess. I bet you will relate.