Welcome to my Journey with The MidLife Crafters! This is not just a name, but a concept that embodies the fusion of creativity and technology and life decisions... a journey I'm excited to share with you.
Posted Sep 21, 2025
What’s in a Name?
When I chose the name The MidLife Crafters, it wasn’t just a clever title for a shop or blog—it was a declaration of my identity. It was me staking a claim on this new phase of my life, one that is equal parts reinvention, creativity, and faith. I wanted the name to represent not only the crafts that were going to be made, but also the craft of re-shaping my life at this time. Because, let’s be honest, deciding to change up your life after fifty is a journey all by itself.
For years, I felt like life was scripted for me—working at a job that should be my forever career, meeting after meeting after meeting, promotions now and then, aligning with people that made me keep checking my back for those knives that might pop into it at any time, and trying to gain that almighty dollar. I was following a plan that looked good on paper but drained the soul out of me over time. When I finally broke free, I realized that midlife isn’t about slowing down—it’s about reimagining. It’s about asking with fresh eyes: What if I built a life that actually fits me this time around?
I started with a vision for a business that would help other enterprises to utilize the special set of skills I’ve developed over the years.
A whole array of things that I was good at and knew would be beneficial to others. I got that up and running reasonably quickly. I now have my insurance adjusting license and a small enterprise. Both of these can add coins to my coffers. This is work that is on my terms and that I enjoy, and of course, I do need to make some bank in this too. But there was still something missing. That’s where the idea of creating came in. By experimenting with writing and crafting, I realized I wasn’t just making things—I was remaking myself. And not in some dramatic, Hollywood montage kind of way. I was rebuilding slowly, intentionally. I was crafting a life that honored my values, my faith, and my joy. That’s when the name came to me: The MidLife Crafters.
Why “MidLife”? Because that’s where I am (technically a little past - but with modern science, 50 is the new 30 🙃). And let’s be honest—midlife gets a bad rap. People talk about it like it’s a crisis, a countdown, or a slow fade into irrelevance. But I see it differently. Midlife is a pivot point.
It’s where you take stock of what’s behind you and decide what’s worth carrying forward. It’s where you stop asking, “What do I have to do?” and start asking, “What do I get to do?” It’s not a crisis—it’s a calling.
Why “Crafters”? Because I’m not just a maker. Not just of wood and paint and digital designs—but of meaning. Of legacy. Of laughter. Of spiritual depth. I am crafting a life that reflects who I am and who I want to become. I’m taking the raw materials of my experiences—good, bad, and everything in between—and reshaping them into something beautiful. Something useful. Something that speaks life.
Why the Fusion of Creativity and Technology? Because that’s the sweet spot. I’m not just painting signs or writing devotionals—I’m using software, digital design tools, and a whole lot of trial and error to bring ideas to life. It’s the perfect marriage of left brain and right brain, of faith and function, of purpose and play. And it’s proof that you don’t have to choose between being analytical and being artistic. You can be both. You are both.
And About That Tea I Promised…when you start to question your own integrity, it’s time to leave a situation. I have always stood on my own work. I’ve never paid anyone to boost my image or thrown enough money at someone to compel them to say how great I was. Getting recognition and awards is a great thing. But when you drop tens of thousands of dollars with an organization in a short amount of time, and then they suddenly decide you’re the best… it makes you wonder if they really feel that way or if they're just trying to keep that money flowing. Having money (especially when it’s not yours to begin with) and having integrity are two very different things. I think I’ll just stick with my low-baller budget and my integrity.
In the next post, I’ll share some of the actual projects the MidLife Crafters have created, along with some backstory of how I decide what to make.
Until then, keep crafting your life with courage, creativity, and a whole lot of grace.
—Michele