THE TAO OF TURNING FIFTY

A pragmatic guide doubling as a workbook that examines how to find inner balance during a woman’s tumultuous midlife change.

Boire masterfully encourages introspection and engagement in her book, which brings Eastern philosophy and Western lifestyles together to deliver “what every woman in her forties needs to know.” Touching on many primary concerns that women approaching or experiencing perimenopause or menopause may feel, the book serves as a printed classroom for mapping out coping mechanisms. Poems about healing and resources for women wanting to learn more are woven throughout, along with quotes from other recommended books on the topic. The author presents aspirational exercises and questions to encourage deeper thinking. The author suggests that the reader ask herself, “If there were no obstacles and I could do whatever it is I want and not fail, what would I do?” The lessons are also transmitted via Boire’s personal anecdotes as a busy mom navigating the range of emotional and physical challenges that come with the hormonal shifts of aging. Specific tips for finding one’s center are clearly outlined, including step-by-step instructions about how to meditate and develop a sense of calm. Readers are encouraged to build on Boire’s personal experiences and advice to find their own pathways for coming to terms with menopause and the less-than-pleasant symptoms that come along with it. Boire emphasizes finding some time alone in order to “allow yourself the time and space to just be—give yourself the quiet reflective time you need to figure it out, feel your way through, and pay attention to your inner urgings—it may not seem rational or logical but you will save yourself some pain and suffering if you listen well.”

An interactive workbook for women wanting to find harmony and understand the inevitability of life’s physiological changes