Publishers Weekly
10/09/2023
Conley (Wisdom at Work), cofounder of the Modern Elder Academy, a “midlife wisdom school,” celebrates in this sage outing the joys of midlife, a period with a “colossal branding problem.” According to the author, the life stage between ages 35 and 75 is similar to a chrysalis—“a bit dark, gooey, and solitary” but potentially transformative as one looks inward, takes stock of the “mindsets, identities... and choices” they’ve accumulated, sheds what no longer fits, and prepares “to butterfly” into a truer version of themselves. Conley explains that while healthy aging “requires us to move our bodies,” it’s also a chance to abandon the “short-term vanity” that often locks people into an obsessive pursuit of physical perfection in their earlier years. Elsewhere, he details how developing “a discernment for what matters” can help former people pleasers separate what they value from what they don’t. (He urges readers to ask themselves, “Over the course of my life, how important is this?”) While Conley sometimes hits his message a bit too hard (“For many of us, life begins at 50. Before that, life is just a dress rehearsal”), his astute and well-informed insights are sure to uplift. It’s a welcome corrective to ageism. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Rarely have I read a book that so succinctly captures the upside of midlife, a life stage that is more an opportunity than a crisis. Chip Conley reminds us all to savor the wisdom, self-knowledge, and joy that accompanies this time in our lives.” —Father Richard Rohr, bestselling author, speaker and spiritual thought leader
“Does aging give you a sense of dread? If so, you need to read Learning to Love Midlife right now. In this wonderful book, Chip Conley will show you that aging is a superpower, capable of changing you (and our world) for the better.”—Arthur C. Brooks, Professor, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength
“If we are lucky enough, midlife will find us all, but that doesn’t mean crisis has to accompany it. The brilliant and beloved Conley reminds us that with transition and uncertainty comes possibility. No, our doors are not closed after forty, fifty, sixty: in many ways, they are more open than ever. Read this book to reimagine every stage of midlife.” —Esther Perel, psychotherapist, author and host of Where Should We Begin
"I've personally experienced the magic of midlife at Chip Conley's MEA where thousands of people have learned how to curate a life that's as deep and meaningful as it is long. Finally, Chip has gathered the secrets of that program into a book that will help you to feel happier, healthier, and wiser starting in your 40s."—Dan Buettner, New York Times bestselling author, creator of "The Blue Zones," and National Geographic Fellow
“This vital and necessary book is a roadmap for the rest of your life. With large doses of wisdom and frequent sprinkles of wit, Chip Conley shows how all of us can approach our 40s, 50s, and 60s with intention and wonder. Learning to Love Midlife will stir brains, open souls, and transform lives.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and The Power of Regret
“For many of us, midlife can be a confusing stage of life, full of unfamiliar transitions and few clear milestones. And now that we’re living longer, this period lasts much longer than it did in the past. Learning to Love Midlife is an invaluable guide to how to navigate this period with curiosity, energy, and optimism. With cutting-edge research, deep insight, and examples drawn from real life—including candid accounts of his own experience—Conley provides a clear blueprint for creating the lives we want.”—Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Life in Five Senses
“One of the most fascinating developments of this cathartic time we inhabit, surely, is the evolution of aging itself. Chip Conley's work in nourishing and reinventing eldering has been groundbreaking. Now this book is a beautiful offering to us all — spiritual and pragmatic at once — on the generative possibilities of the new midlife. What a joy and a gift it is to read, and to have as a companion for living.”—Krista Tippett, Founder and Host of The On Being Project
“As the founder of the world’s first midlife wisdom school (I’m an enthusiastic alum!), Chip addresses head-on the question, ‘what’s next?’ With his perfect mix of personal anecdotes, professional observation and social science research, this book is packed with insights to live your life’s next best chapter.” —Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx
"Chip Conley is a builder. He's a master of making people feel welcome and comfortable even in places where they sometimes fear to tread. Like his legendary retreats, Learning to Love Midlife is a warm, hospitable gathering place where readers can learn to embrace their messy selves and transform their lives for the better."—Bruce Feiler, New York Times bestselling author of Life Is in the Transitions and The Search
“Conley’s enthusiasm for grasping the full potential of the midlife years is contagious and inspiring.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Chip’s book is wonderful for those who are not yet in midlife and want to get know what’s ahead, those that are going through it now, as well as those of us who are in the next stage and reflecting on our life journey in our ‘senior years.’”—Jed Diamond, PhD, Men Alive
APRIL 2024 - AudioFile
Chip Conley's narration of his own words of wisdom--drawn from personal and professional experiences, research, and stories of others--challenges listeners to rethink their approach to midlife. Speaking at a good pace in a friendly and encouraging tone, Conley addresses specific realities of aging, prompting listeners to answer questions, rephrase their self-talk, reach out to significant others, and identify what to let go of. He suggests that listeners learn to look at midlife like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Conley candidly shares his experience of managing cancer and navigating other low points in his life. Listeners will come away with thought-provoking ideas and the inspiration to tackle them with a renewed growth mindset. E.Q. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-09-23
Life after 40 is “a rich time for introspection, a journey through stillness into freedom,” according to this engaging, conversational guide.
In a youth-oriented culture like the U.S., the midlife period is often seen as “one endless sand trap on the golf course of life.” But it doesn’t have to be like that, writes Conley, co-founder of the Modern Elder Academy and author of numerous business and self-help books. Midlife, which he defines as the 40-65 age bracket, can be a time when life is reconsidered and reorganized. The key is to make a conscious decision about what sort of future you want, including what the author calls “the Great Midlife Edit.” This means letting go of mindsets and obligations that have outstayed their welcome. For some people, it can be a change of career or lifestyle, perhaps stepping off the 9-to-5 treadmill and finding a new use for hard-won experience; Conley cites statistics indicating that half of American start-up entrepreneurs are over 55. True, after 40, wrinkles start to appear and hairlines begin to recede. Accept it and become comfortable in your skin, advises Conley, although he also offers advice on maintaining overall health. Staying active is the best medicine. The connection between mental condition and physical capability increases in midlife, and people with strong relationships, religious faith, and a willingness to try new things live longer, healthier lives. Don’t be afraid to seek new challenges and experiences; the author notes that his father took up scuba diving at 60. “Midlife is the time to rediscover our love of old movies, jazz music, impressionist painters, and anything else that makes life worth living,” he writes. Later, he continues, “Aging is a privilege, a gift of time.”
Conley’s enthusiasm for grasping the full potential of the midlife years is contagious and inspiring.
