
The Soft Life Shift: Embracing Ease and Joy in Midlife
02/11/25 • 12 min
Show Notes:
In this episode of Aging with Grace and Style, host Valerie Hatcher discusses the concept of the "soft life" and how it contrasts with the hustle culture many have known for years. Valerie shares her personal journey from embracing constant busyness to realizing that a more intentional, peaceful approach can lead to true fulfillment. She highlights the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health, building meaningful relationships, and finding joy beyond a filled schedule. Valerie offers practical steps to help listeners embark on their own soft life journey, emphasizing that productivity isn't just about doing more but about cherishing moments and living with grace.
Timestamps:
00:19 - Rethinking Success and Fulfillment
01:10 - The Shift to a Softer Life
04:44 - Reclaiming Energy in Midlife
07:30 - Embracing a Soft Life: Practical Steps for Change
09:37 - Creating Space for Self-Care
Key Takeaways:
- Recognize and reject the "invisible woman" stereotype by embracing your experiences as sources of strength and vitality.
- Focus on internal confidence and self-acceptance over external appearances to authentically project your presence and charisma.
- Adjust your posture and speaking habits to convey confidence; sit tall, use clear, intentional speech, and avoid ending statements as if they are questions.
- Continuously challenge negative self-talk by affirming the value of your experiences and the validity of your contributions.
- Observe and emulate the subtle qualities of individuals who exemplify strong presence to enhance your own demeanor while maintaining your authenticity.
Let's connect:
Are you on our email list? If not, join here.
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads @iamvaleriehatcher.
Have questions, comments or feedback? Email [email protected]
Join Us Next Time:
If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.
See you soon!
Links referenced in this episode:
Show Notes:
In this episode of Aging with Grace and Style, host Valerie Hatcher discusses the concept of the "soft life" and how it contrasts with the hustle culture many have known for years. Valerie shares her personal journey from embracing constant busyness to realizing that a more intentional, peaceful approach can lead to true fulfillment. She highlights the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health, building meaningful relationships, and finding joy beyond a filled schedule. Valerie offers practical steps to help listeners embark on their own soft life journey, emphasizing that productivity isn't just about doing more but about cherishing moments and living with grace.
Timestamps:
00:19 - Rethinking Success and Fulfillment
01:10 - The Shift to a Softer Life
04:44 - Reclaiming Energy in Midlife
07:30 - Embracing a Soft Life: Practical Steps for Change
09:37 - Creating Space for Self-Care
Key Takeaways:
- Recognize and reject the "invisible woman" stereotype by embracing your experiences as sources of strength and vitality.
- Focus on internal confidence and self-acceptance over external appearances to authentically project your presence and charisma.
- Adjust your posture and speaking habits to convey confidence; sit tall, use clear, intentional speech, and avoid ending statements as if they are questions.
- Continuously challenge negative self-talk by affirming the value of your experiences and the validity of your contributions.
- Observe and emulate the subtle qualities of individuals who exemplify strong presence to enhance your own demeanor while maintaining your authenticity.
Let's connect:
Are you on our email list? If not, join here.
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads @iamvaleriehatcher.
Have questions, comments or feedback? Email [email protected]
Join Us Next Time:
If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.
See you soon!
Links referenced in this episode:
Previous Episode

Stop People-Pleasing: Discover the Freedom of Saying No
Show Notes:
Summary:
Learning to say no can be the key to a more confident and fulfilling life. Many of us struggle with this, often due to ingrained habits and societal expectations that prioritize harmony over honesty. This podcast dives deep into the reasons behind our difficulty in saying no, including fear of conflict, guilt, and the desire for approval, and highlights the importance of setting boundaries. By reclaiming our time and energy through the power of saying no, we open ourselves up to opportunities that truly align with our values. Join us as we explore practical strategies for saying no with confidence and the incredible benefits that come from honoring our own needs and priorities.
Timestamps:
- 00:14 - The Power of Saying No
- 01:49 Understanding the Difficulty of Saying No
- 05:46 The Power of Saying No
- 09:44 The Power of Saying No
- 11:14 Empowered Refusal Techniques
Key Takeaways:
- Learning to say no is essential for reclaiming your time and energy.
- Setting boundaries can significantly improve your self-respect and emotional well-being.
- Saying no allows you to say yes to opportunities that truly align with your values.
- Practicing small refusals can strengthen your ability to assert yourself confidently.
- Understanding the root causes of why saying no is difficult can help you overcome these obstacles.
- Every time you say no to something unimportant, you're affirmatively saying yes to yourself.
Let's connect:
Are you on our email list? If not, join here.
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads @iamvaleriehatcher.
Have questions, comments or feedback? Email [email protected]
Join Us Next Time:
If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.
See you soon!
Next Episode

Unlocking the Secret to Vibrant Aging: The Power of Strength Training
Show Notes:
Summary:
In this episode of "Aging with Grace and Style," host Valerie Hatcher delves into the transformative power of strength training for women over 50. Valerie shares her personal journey and insights into why strength training is essential for maintaining health, mobility, and quality of life as we age. She dispels common myths about getting bulky and the dangers of exercising at an older age. Through her own experiences with hip replacement surgery and the importance of bone density, Valerie highlights the numerous benefits of strength training, including muscle preservation, improved balance, enhanced energy, and boosted confidence. She encourages listeners to begin their strength training journeys by seeking proper guidance and integrating it into their routines safely and effectively.
Timestamps:
00:13 - The Power of Strength Training for Women Over 50
02:27 - The Importance of Strength Training for Aging Gracefully
07:48 - Starting Strength Training Safely
12:39 - Starting Strength Training: Overcoming Challenges
Key Takeaways:
- Recognize and reject the "invisible woman" stereotype by embracing your experiences as sources of strength and vitality.
- Focus on internal confidence and self-acceptance over external appearances to authentically project your presence and charisma.
- Adjust your posture and speaking habits to convey confidence; sit tall, use clear, intentional speech, and avoid ending statements as if they are questions.
- Continuously challenge negative self-talk by affirming the value of your experiences and the validity of your contributions.
- Observe and emulate the subtle qualities of individuals who exemplify strong presence to enhance your own demeanor while maintaining your authenticity.
Let's connect:
Are you on our email list? If not, join here.
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads @iamvaleriehatcher.
Have questions, comments or feedback? Email [email protected]
Join Us Next Time:
If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.
See you soon!
Links referenced in this episode:
Aging with Grace & Style - The Soft Life Shift: Embracing Ease and Joy in Midlife
Transcript
What if I told you that everything you've been taught about success, hard work, and having it all might actually be keeping you stuck? That the endless hustle, the constant doing the I'll rest when I'm dead mindset isn't actually the key to fulfillment. If that made you pause for a second, then this episode is for you. Living our best life. It's good to be alive, but it's best to truly let your spirit bride celebrate the journey every single day.
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