Gone Fishing
As you all know, I am going back to school to get a second master’s degree. And it’s starting SOON.
When I told all of you, I got a flood of encouragement and virtual high fives. Thanks, guys!
But not everyone has been enthusiastic. “Why do you want to do that?” some have asked. And honestly? I get it. Since I got the re-acceptance letter from Columbia, I have had more than a few moments of “Why the F are you doing this to yourself?!”
But in truth, the answer transcends the momentary annoyance at having to give up my glorious free time to sit my ass down and study. I’m going back because I can, because I want to. But more importantly, I am going back because my life is not over and I want to see what more I have in me.
This week a post came through my instagram feed from a pro-midlife account. It said, “somewhere along the way, we stopped chasing personal bests.” Why? Why do we need to stop? We don’t.
Unpacking that could take a whole essay series. For now I’ll say this: I want to keep challenging my limits until I kick the bucket — wring myself out, set a new potential horizon, again and again. To me, that’s what it means to live. Going back to school to study midlife women, exercise and longevity, and the influence of social cultural norms on exercise choice is how I am going to do it. With that said, class starts the first week of July. So I’m taking some time away from these twice-weekly essays to chase this new personal best.
I’ve been writing weekly-ish for three years (via my newsletter, then substack) and it’s time to clear the decks and refill my brain — so that when I come back, I have richer, better ideas to share with you.
I’ll be back later this summer with my fall teaching schedule, and I may pop up with an essay or insight if the mood strikes. I’m sure I will have lots to say once my classes start.
Until then, go chase some personal bests. We’ll meet back here in a few months to compare notes.
In Strength and Love, Elizabeth
