A sabbatical search for purpose

NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey took a sabbatical from her job as a Gen X woman juggling kids and career.

Creativity as a bridge

One way to start a midlife reset is to make time to be creative.Creativity lets us express what's inside of us, and it can be a bridge to connection.

A portrait that sparked curiosity

During a bluebell hike along the Potomac River, photographer Amy Wilton showed Aubrey a portrait of a woman singing onstage in Maine. The image captured transcendence, prompting Aubrey to learn more about the singer's story.

Kristi's fiftieth birthday awakening

Kristi Kalajian works as a physician assistant in Camden, Maine, but at her fiftieth birthday, a long-dormant urge resurfaced.She had always loved R and B and wanted to sing.

A home concert success

Kristi invited people to a friend's home with a grand piano for her first concert.The performance was a runaway success.

A vision board turns cynicism around

At a New Year's celebration, Kristi was asked to make a vision board, something she had always considered hokey.

The band comes together

Within a month of making her vision board, a local musician approached Kristi asking if she wanted to join a band.The musician's friend was looking for a singer with a smoky voice.

Singing Lizzo at any age

When Kristi stepped up to sing lead on her band's rendition of Lizzo's two thousand twenty hit song About Damn Time, Aubrey saw her third-turn anthem.

“I feel complete.”

The third turn formula

According to Dr.Jeremy Nobel, a primary care doctor and poet, the formula for the third turn is simple: Be curious.Make things.Have conversations.As parenting and workloads lighten, creative spirits can come out to play.

“Be curious. Make things. Have conversations.”

Try one creative pursuit

There are many creative pursuits: painting, pottery, poetry, music, theater, culinary arts, and gardening, which Nobel calls the slowest form of performance art.Just pick one with no pressure.

Reconnect with childhood creativity

Think back to when you found joy in making something, singing, dancing, or creating stories as a child.

Creativity across continents

Alison Richards and three friends from England use a WhatsApp group to share creative prompts and maintain friendship across continents.