Maddisen K. Krown

Here's a question from one of my readers about dating at midlife after divorce.

Dear Maddisen,

I'm a midlifer, divorced, with 50 percent custody of two great teenagers and in the dating circuit. I'm on a few dating websites, which at times keeps me busy, but most of all keeps...

This holiday season, I'd like to share about my personal experience as a mid-lifer facing and caring for my physically declining elder parents.

The Journey Home

For Thanksgiving this year, I went home to Connecticut to be with my family. My focus and the main theme for this week-long trip...

Here's a question from a reader about the fear of getting older.

Dear Maddisen,
I'm in my 40s and getting more scared about aging, especially when I see all of the drug commercials for physical problems and depression. I've been healthy, but not looking forward to the downward spiral....

Here's a question from a reader about suddenly thinning hair during midlife:

Dear Maddisen,
I'm in my late 40's and I've suddenly started shedding hair. I spoke with my mother and older sister, and they never experienced this. I'm freaked out. I think it's connected to menopause, but I...

Here's a question from a reader about financial planning:

I'm 55, divorced, and I work hard to pay my bills and stay above water. I'm tired of just getting by, and honestly, I have no idea how I'll care for myself when I get too old to work. I'm scared...

Here's a question from a reader about navigating the initial shock of midlife:

Dear Maddisen:

OK, I get that I'm in midlife, and I want to make a difference and maybe even be happier. But how do I get past this feeling I've done something wrong? Like I'm a...

Here's a question from a reader about perimenopause and forgetfulness.

Dear Maddisen:

I'm in the throes of perimenopause. I seem to be forgetting things from one second to the next. This worries me and makes me mad. Any advice on how to deal with this?

Excellent question. Let...

Here's a question I received from a reader about his midlife crisis:

I'm 51. I've reached some of my goals, but there is so much more I expected to achieve by this age, and I'm just wondering if it's worth it. I'm losing steam. Is it too late for me?

Here's a question from a reader:

Dear Maddisen, I keep picking the wrong guys. They're like my worst nightmares come true! How can I stop doing this?

Whether you're a man or a woman, hooking up with someone who feels like your dream come true can be a challenge,...

Here's a question from a reader about the holidays, heartbreak and lonliness:

I recently had my heart broken. And now the holidays are here, which is making me feel even more sad and lonely. I don't have a partner and I don't have family. I literally feel contracted around my...

Here's a question from a reader about aligning goals and actions:

As a rule, I'm very clear about my goals and committed to taking the steps necessary to achieve them. But I've recently become aware that my actions don't always support my goals, and I'm very curious to get your...

Here's a question from a reader about acceptance:

I'm confused about acceptance. If something happens to me that I don't like, why would I want to accept it, and let it happen or continue happening, and on top of that -- believe it's good for me?! This seems apathetic...

Here's a question from a reader regarding the value of gratitude:

Several of my friends extol the power of being grateful and of keeping a daily gratitude log, and I just don't get it. I tried listing what I'm grateful for a few times, but it didn't do much...

Here's a scenario that was recently shared with me by an acquaintance seeking advice:

After leaving a serious, 10-plus year relationship last year, I find myself involved with a new person who has been very willing to keep the relationship light, which I have stated as my need and...

Dear Maddisen,
Lately, I've had a lot going on in my life. I'm pretty good at managing all of it, but I'd like to know if there's a simple and natural way for me to clear my mind of thoughts that feel non-supportive, non-productive, and just like clutter. As...

Dear Maddisen:
I am at a cross-road in my life. I am divorced after a 21 year marriage and have no children or pets and very few responsibilities. I honestly feel paralyzed by my bounty and rather than focusing my energies on what I really want to do --...

Dear Maddisen:
I've been dating someone for about six months. I care deeply for him and feel a strong love between us. But I continue to experience a conflicting mix of hope and uneasiness. He clearly gives me mixed messages, fluctuating between expressions of intimate love & wanting to...

Dear Maddisen:
When I run into a challenge, mostly in my personal life, I often lose faith. I often don't trust the outcome or that I'll be ok. Then, to make matters worse, I get down on myself for that, and basically drive myself and my friends crazy. How...

Dear Readers:
In my previous column, How To Release Mental Patterns That Don't Support Your Goals, reader LJ asked how to release mental patterns that were getting in the way of his goals, and I responded with a specific approach that included keeping a pattern journal and a desire...

Dear Maddisen:
I feel trapped by certain mental patterns that I'm sure I don't want anymore. They're so elusive, and they not only run me but run ahead of me! I'm the one suffering the most from my own patterns, and I'm ready for something new. Specifically, I want...