Allison Aubrey, a health and science correspondent for National Public Radio, is the author of the book "Your Turn: How to Create a Midlife You Love." The work, published by Avid Reader Press and Simon & Schuster, examines how individuals in the Generation X demographic can develop a sense of purpose and pursue creative interests during middle age.
The book originated from Aubrey's personal experience of taking a sabbatical, which she called a "curiosity tour," to study women who made significant changes in their lives. Aubrey's research includes interviews with various professionals who integrated creative pursuits into their existing careers and family lives.
One case study detailed in the book is Kristi Kalajian, a physician assistant from Camden, Maine. According to the text, Kalajian began singing in a band in her fifties after several decades of focusing on her medical career and raising children. Kalajian stated that singing was "the thing that was missing" in her life, and she eventually joined a band that performs local gigs.
Aubrey also cites Dr. Jeremy Nobel, a primary care physician and poet, who suggests that the process of midlife transition involves curiosity, making things, and engaging in conversations. The book highlights other examples, such as college admissions advisor Katy Baytosh, who teaches dance classes to facilitate self-expression, and a group of friends who use a messaging app to share creative prompts across different continents.
The scale of this shift is described through individual experiences rather than aggregate national statistics, but it focuses on the transition into the "third turn" of life, typically occurring around age 50 and into the 60s. For a person in this demographic, the reported change involves allocating time for creative practices such as painting, pottery, music, or gardening. These activities are presented not as new career paths but as methods to manage self-doubt and foster social bonds through shared interests or classes.
The knock-on effects of these individual changes may include increased participation in local arts, community classes, and digital social groups centered on creative prompts. The book suggests that these activities can serve as a "bridge to connection" for people who may otherwise experience isolation during midlife transitions. The book is available in hardcover, eBook, and audio formats, and Aubrey provided commentary on the subject on "CBS Sunday Morning" on October 18.