Hi again, and welcome to Episode 4 of One Fix at a Time,
the podcast for midlife women who are ready to clear out the digital noise, build better habits, and make meaning from the life they’ve already lived.
If this is your first time here—hi, I’m Kari.
I turned 50 not long ago, and like a lot of women I know, I’ve reached the stage where it feels like everything is happening at once.
We’re caring for others, thinking about the future, and trying not to forget who we are in the process.
This podcast is part of something I call the Project: Improve Me Life Map™—a way to take small steps toward the life you want without trying to change everything at once.
So far, we’ve talked about:
- Reset — digital decluttering: years of built-up files, apps, and emails
- Rebuild — managing money, especially when you’re on your own
- Reflect — telling your story before it fades; writing the memories that matter
This week, I’m sharing the heart behind Pen Your Past, and how reflection can help you reconnect with who you are—and what really matters.
🎧 Listen to Episode 4:
Prefer to listen on your favorite podcast app?
You can find this episode — and all others — at projectimproveme.com/listen-to-the-podcast
📬 Stay in the Loop
Sign up below for weekly tips and tools to help you clear your mind, rebuild your finances, and reflect on what matters — one fix at a time.
✍️ Episode Transcript
Hello,
and welcome back to One Fix at a Time!I’m Kari, and this podcast is for women navigating midlife—
working through one area of life at a time instead of trying to fix everything all at once.I recently turned 50,
which I guess lands me smack in the middle of midlife.
It’s a weird in-between stage, isn’t it?We’re not new at life anymore, but we’re not done yet either.
And if we’re lucky… we’ve still got decades left.
It feels important to make them count.That’s where reflection comes in.
It’s not about reinventing everything.
It’s just taking time to ask the questions that really matter—
like, “What do I want to remember?”
or “What do I want to leave behind?”And even though podcasting seems to be what everyone’s doing now—
I’m here because I want to connect in a real way.I’m building a little corner of the internet that feels honest and helpful.
So far, I’ve introduced my Life Map and the first two paths:
Reset (for digital decluttering) and Rebuild (for smarter solo finances).This episode is all about the third path—Reflect.
This one’s close to my heart.
It might not seem like a big deal right now,
especially when life already feels so full.
We’re juggling caregiving, bills, work, health issues…
maybe helping our grown-up kids or babysitting grandkids.There’s barely a second to breathe,
let alone reflect.But that’s the thing.
A lot of us used to write things down—without really thinking about it.Maybe it was a journal,
or a diary you kept under your bed.
Maybe you saved birthday cards or old notes from someone you loved.
You might’ve scribbled your thoughts in the margins of a book,
or taped concert tickets into a scrapbook.However it looked—there was a time when you captured little pieces of your life.
That part of you might feel buried under the chaos of everything else—
but she’s still there.
And she still has things to say.The Reflect path isn’t about writing a memoir or keeping a daily journal.
It’s about capturing those bits of your life—stories that deserve to be remembered.
Not in some fancy, public way, but just for you.
Or for the people who come after you.And if you’re thinking, “I wouldn’t know where to start,” you’re not alone.
That’s why the Reflect path isn’t about perfection—especially not in midlife.
It’s about pausing long enough to notice what matters.Think about how fast the world is changing.
With AI, social media, and everything going digital,
there’s something powerful about a real, human story in your own words—
the kind your great-grandkids won’t find on Google.This idea became even more personal to me when I lost my grandma earlier this year.
I would give anything to read something she wrote—
a recipe, a letter, a journal…
just a glimpse of who she was in her own words.I don’t want my grandkids to feel that same gap.
That’s what led me to start Pen Your Past.
At first, it was just a few writing prompts.
But it became a way to pause, look back,
and actually take note of the life I’ve lived—
not the big milestones, just the everyday stuff I don’t want to forget.Whether you’re writing it down just for you,
or hoping someone else might read it one day and understand you a little better—
it’s just a simple place to get started.No pressure to be full of wisdom.
No need to be a pro-writer.
Just a space to say:
“This happened… and it mattered to me.”One of the first prompts I shared was:
“What did dinnertime look like when you were growing up?”It’s the kind of question that seems small—
but suddenly, people were remembering chipped plates,
their dad’s bad jokes,
the way their mom made cornbread just a little too sweet.That’s what reflection does.
It brings back the moments that made us—
even if we haven’t thought about them in years.It’s the little things—how it felt, what it smelled like,
the way someone laughed—that end up meaning the most.Every week on the blog, I share a new writing prompt in the One Story at a Time series.
I talk a little about why I think the prompt matters,
offer some starter questions,
and even share a story of my own.These stories aren’t polished or perfect—
but they’re honest… and real.If my great-great-grandkids ever find them,
I hope they feel like they met me.And I want you to know—your stories are worth telling too.
You don’t have to have climbed a mountain
or survived a tragedy to have something meaningful to share.Just being here, living your life,
learning and growing—
that’s enough.I’m not a writing coach or grammar expert.
But I am pretty good at helping people get started.If you want to begin writing your legacy—
even just a few lines at a time—
come visit the blog and pick a prompt that speaks to you.Start with one memory you’d hate to forget.
Maybe it was a perfect day,
or a hard moment that changed you.Write it down in your own way.
Save it in a box,
a file,
or even email it to yourself.Ordinary days might seem forgettable now—
but to future generations?
They’ll be a window into who you were
and what your life was like.You don’t need a social media post or a viral video to matter.
Your story already matters.So grab a notebook or open a blank doc.
Start with one sentence… one memory… or one feeling.
And if it helps, pretend you’re writing to someone who hasn’t been born yet—
but will one day be so glad to have your words to read.Before I wrap up, let me just say—
leaving a legacy isn’t just about money or keepsakes.
It’s about sharing your heart, your humor,
your truth—and making sure it lives on.You can find the weekly prompt
and even share your story at ProjectImproveMe.com.
Look for the Legacy & Storytelling section under the blog.Thanks again for being here.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Take care.
