Milestone Reflections: Reclaiming Yourself at Any Age
There’s something about milestone birthdays that invites reflection. Whether it’s 30, 40, 50, or beyond, these moments have a way of making us pause and take stock—not just of what we’ve achieved, but of how we feel within ourselves.
For me, much of this work happened before 40, but the idea remains the same: somewhere along the way, I realized I had lost touch with a deeper part of myself—my sensuality. Not just in the physical sense, but in the way I felt alive, vibrant, and connected to my own body. I had spent years focused on external milestones—the career, the relationships, the responsibilities—without realizing that in the process, I had become somewhat disconnected from my own inner world.
Reconnecting with myself wasn’t about making a dramatic change overnight. It started in the small spaces: noticing sensation without judgment, savoring simple pleasures, allowing self-pleasure to be a practice of presence rather than a means to an end. It wasn’t about fixing anything. It was about creating space to feel, to explore, and to reclaim parts of myself that had been quietly waiting for my attention.
Any birthday can be a milestone!
Don’t wait for the big numbers - in fact, you don’t have to wait for a birthday at all to begin reclaiming yourself!
If you’re approaching or reflecting on a milestone birthday, here are a few questions to sit with:
What parts of me feel alive, and what parts feel neglected?
Where in my life am I craving more connection—to myself, my body, or my desires?
What small daily or weekly practices could help me feel more present and embodied?
And if you’re looking for habits to cultivate deeper self-connection, here are a few that made a difference for me:
Morning check-ins: Place a hand on your heart or belly, take a few deep breaths, and ask yourself, How do I feel today?
Savoring rituals: Whether it’s tea, a warm bath, or a slow walk, intentionally savor something each day.
Somatic awareness: Notice small sensations—warmth, tingling, breath, the way your body moves—without needing to change anything.
Self-pleasure as self-connection: Not goal-oriented, just a way to be present with yourself.
Dressing and moving for pleasure: Wear fabrics that feel good, move your body in ways that bring joy, let yourself inhabit your own presence.
Sensuality isn’t reserved for youth. It’s an ever-evolving practice of presence and pleasure, one that deepens as we learn to inhabit ourselves more fully.
No matter what milestone you’re facing, perhaps this is an invitation—not just to reflect on the past, but to ask: What parts of me are ready to be rediscovered?
