At a key moment in the twenty-first century, demographers are recognizing the significance of a distinct developmental phase: those years following early adulthood and middle age when we are "neither young nor old." Whether by choice or not, many of us in our "third chapters" are finding ways to adapt, explore, and channel our energies, skills, and passions in new ways and into new areas.
It's this process of creative reinvention that the renowned sociologist Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot details in The Third Chapter, which redefines our views about the casualties and opportunities of aging. She challenges the still-prevailing images of aging by documenting and revealing how the years between fifty and seventy-five may, in fact, be the most transformative and generative time in our lives, tracing the ways in which wisdom, experience, and new learning inspire individual growth and cultural transformation.
If you are a woman over 50, the NEXT Retreat on September 18-21, 2025 in Lake Junaluska is a gift to yourself to define your own third chapter. You'll have a private room, private bath, and a supportive community around you in a beautiful setting. Let us know if you are ready by visiting https://nextchapterretreat.org and letting us know you're interested!
