Glimpse Newsletter

April 2025 - Who's Afraid of Aging?

This monthly newsletter, arriving the first Friday of the month to your inbox, offers an exquisite glimpse at updates on my current writing projects, and the latest writer-related happenings in my world.

(Disclaimer: No affiliate links, unless noted.)

> Joyful Wishes to all those with APRIL birthdays! Since this is my birthday month too, an extra post! (Find the Bonus post below the Quarterly Writing Post)>> Check it out here.

My Project Updates:

Edits and updates continue on my spiritual content project. I’ve also added a workbook section at the end of the book, with reflection and discussion questions for each chapter, for readers to personally process the book’s content. I’m working on an additional resource that will go along with the book, that will be a free pdf download. I’m excited about how all the various pieces of this project are coming together!

What’s NEW:

With this month’s birthday I will enter a new decade of life! It is exciting and yet contains some low (and not so low) levels of anxiety. The world’s view of aging is that we become irrelevant (especially so, often for women!)

To combat that negative mindset in my own life I’ve been continuing my regular strengthening exercises, adding in pelvic floor strengthening exercises.

I recently finished the new release book Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old. It is a well thought out perspective on healthy female aging, (including statistics), taking back our self-advocacy regarding our health, and coming into a more relaxed and accepting view of ourselves. With some of the author’s personal experiences in those areas sprinkled in as well.

I don’t normally do book reviews, but I wanted to share, as I’m finding this healthy aging perspective helpful, encouraging, and empowering, even if you aren’t a celebrity! [NOTE: To my sensitive readers, I discovered that curse words are used occasionally throughout.] (Looking for more positivity around aging? Check out MEA.)

What Keeps Me Organized:

Full transparency: the past two weeks have been a challenge for me to have my regularly scheduled weekly planning time. I’ve had weekend activities the last couple of weeks in a row and therefore prepping for those took the time I would have been planning. Note to self: Do your planning time earlier in the week when you see these extra weekend activities take prep time!

But because I was in the previous routine of the planning process, I got it done on Sunday or Monday instead. Although I felt like I was “flying by the seat of my pants,” I did have a workable plan in place! Being able to pivot when schedules change, new or large tasks/events are added to your week takes some training, practice, and finesse to carry off. The T.O.P Program has been the “silver bullet” for me.

Copy this into your browser to begin your journey to take control of your time:

https://www.megansumrell.com/a/2147515137/pNrpoFkf

(affiliate)

What I’m Eating / Drinking:

Eating: Since this is the birthday month for myself and my husband (his is 4/21), I am on the lookout for a decent gluten-free, vanilla cake for our birthdays! We generally split one cake, as our family is small. I tried to find a box cake mix, however most contain corn ingredients!! So I’m going to try this cake recipe as I trust the Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 flour.

If you have a favorite gluten-free box mix or recipe Please Share Here!

Drinking: I recently found this ginger beer at our Hy-vee grocery store, but I also saw it on Amazon. I like the bite of ginger, which isn’t overpowering to me (but just right), and it isn’t overly sweet either. If you’ve been reading my newsletters for awhile, you know I generally only indulge in sparkling water, not soda. However, for an occasional splurge this beverage hits the mark for me.

What’s in My “Reading Stack”:

This month: Happy Ever After - Financial Freedom Isn’t a Fairy Tale

This month begins a shift in reading focus from health to finances.

As a human with bills and as a small business owner, I have a conviction to be a wise steward with the money that God allows to pass through my hands. (It’s all His money, anyway!) So I thought this would be a good read for a realistic perspective and some practical points for continuing to be financially responsible. (Note: I’m not perfect at it, but I keep trying!)

This also addresses one of the three areas of self-control that I’m consistently focused on improving, (the other two are related to eating and speaking.)

Full Transparency: I have made some next level improvements by having money left in my “allowance bucket” at the end of each month, rather than spending it all. (Baby steps, ya’ll!) Note: Another great resource for personal budgeting, Y.N.A.B.

Question of The Month :

What are your current views on aging and what contributed to your perspective?

Reply here

What’s On My Phone - “Favorite Photo of the Month”:

Artists Unite!

I shared in my February Glimpse Newsletter about our favorite local artist, Dori Patrick, and her fun, colorful, mixed-media artwork.

She, along with two artist friends, had an art show recently that my daughter and I attended in support of their amazing and varied work. (Show is open until 04/20/25, in Cedar Rapids, IA.)

This photo is taken outside of the building hosting the event, in front of the enormous mural wall. This particular portion of the wall, with an artist’s pallet, especially spoke to my daughter, an artist herself.

It got me thinking about the relationships we cultivate that help us along the way in life. My daughter’s high school art teacher, Mrs. Thilges was instrumental in supporting my daughter’s artistic interests as well. We are so grateful for these two significant relationships that helped mold and direct one of my daughter’s various artistic interests.

You never know what will bloom from the seeds of friendship that are planted within common interests!

Have a great month!

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Created by Julie E. Barton -

Writer, Author, Founder of Hawk House Press, LLC

“Where Creativity Soars” - Offering inspiration for new writers and writer-related tidbits.