1. Oldster
Through compelling personal essays, curated link collections, and insightful interviews featuring individuals across various age groups, Oldster delves deeply into the positive, challenging, and complex realities of the aging process. This publication centers on the multifaceted experiences of growing older and the significance of those moments at different life stages. It was founded by Sari Botton, the 60-year-old editor-in-chief who is also a celebrated bestselling author, skilled editor, and dedicated teacher. Her first memoir boasts an exceptionally memorable title: And You May Find Yourself: Confessions of a Late-Blooming Gen-X Weirdo, which perfectly captures her unique voice and perspective.
2. The Midst
We greatly appreciate any publication that boldly asserts women over 40 are not past their prime but rather entering the most vibrant phase of their lives, making The Midst a standout favorite. Tailored for women navigating pivotal life changes, professional advancements, relationship evolutions, perimenopause, and beyond, this newsletter transforms the often chaotic middle years into an opportunity brimming with personal development, discovery, and untapped potential. Additionally, it boasts one of the most extensive archives of perimenopause personal stories available online, offering invaluable shared experiences for readers.
3. Nedra Nuggets
Delivering concise, actionable wisdom infused with professional mental health expertise, Nedra Nuggets feels like an intimate conversation with therapist and bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab. Drawing inspiration from her popular #NedraNuggets social media series, this weekly dispatch distills profound insights on establishing boundaries, nurturing relationships, and fostering self-improvement into straightforward, applicable guidance. It serves as an essential resource for cultivating healthier interactions and embracing a life free from unnecessary conflict.
4. Things Worth Knowing with Farrah Storr
Renowned for its keen intellect, elegant style, and profound emotional acuity, this Substack from former UK journalist Farrah Storr features a rich mix of reflective essays, authentic narratives, style and travel recommendations, alongside examinations of creativity, professional life, and the essence of womanhood delivered with refreshing self-awareness. The prose cuts sharply yet avoids bitterness, remaining intimately personal without veering into sentimentality. For those who crave newsletters that are intellectually stimulating, contemporary, and invigorating in the best possible manner, this one deserves a lasting place in your reading rotation.
5. Hotflash Inc
If you seek the most current updates, in-depth investigations, and essential insights into this transformative life stage, look no further than the Hotflash Inc newsletter, curated by award-winning journalist Ann Marie McQueen. Offering a distinctive viewpoint on all things midlife, it stands alone as the sole Substack powered by rigorous journalistic standards, committed to comprehensive research and coverage of perimenopause, menopause, and the broader midlife journey. We have been enthusiastic supporters since its inception, captivated by its depth and reliability.
6. Whatever, Nevermind
Aptly titled Whatever, Nevermind examines contemporary pop culture, fashion trends, and beauty standards through the distinctive perspective of those who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s—a viewpoint many will instantly recognize. Characterized by its wry humor, lighthearted tone, and absence of unnecessary sensationalism, it provides astute cultural commentary and personal reflections with precisely the right degree of ironic distance, mirroring the preferred style of our generation.
7. Girls of a Certain Age
Crafted by Kim France, the ex-editor-in-chief of Lucky magazine, this Substack seamlessly intertwines fashion insights, cultural observations, and candid personal musings with remarkable authenticity and breadth. She addresses topics like aging, career trajectories, and personal reinvention with unflinching honesty, frequent wit, and hard-earned wisdom. Reading it evokes the warmth of reconnecting with a seasoned friend who has navigated extensive life experiences and emerged richer for it. Her fashion recommendations, drawn from her expert background, are consistently exceptional.
8. Another Jane Pratt Thing
Dedicated to devotees of the iconic Sassy and Jane magazines, Jane Pratt’s Substack lives up to its playful name with irreverent curiosity, blending cultural analysis, media trends, digital history, and incisive personal opinions. Whip-smart and boldly opinionated, it remains defiantly authentic, eschewing algorithm-friendly polish in favor of raw, genuine expression—which only enhances its appeal.
9. I Want to be Her!
Among the style guidance offered by our preferred Substacks, Andrea Linett’s I Want to be Her! reigns supreme. A veteran of Sassy, Harper’s Bazaar, and Lucky, she applies her expert fashion-editor perspective to highlight superior shopping choices, individualized style strategies, and beauty essentials. It engages with fashion in a relatable way without chasing fleeting trends, offering depth without pretension—making it an intelligent choice for anyone thoughtfully reshaping their personal presentation today.
10. Downtime
Infused with introspection, vitality, and subtle rebellion, Downtime celebrates literature, deep cultural explorations, and niche recommendations for purchases and experiences worth your attention. Founded by Alisha Ramos, the creator behind the lifestyle platform Girls’ Night In, it provides perfect companionship for those reassessing their time and energy allocation during midlife, steering clear of mindless scrolling in favor of meaningful pursuits.
11. The Real Girl’s Guide to Over 55
Exuding warmth, straightforwardness, and a down-to-earth vibe, The Real Girl’s Guide to Over 55 acts as a reliable ally for women charting the path beyond 55, free from stereotypes or patronizing tones. Penned by Angela Burk—a prolific writer, mother of seven, and spirited midlife advocate—it tackles menopause, raising adult children, discovering purpose, cultivating mindset shifts, and navigating career changes with unfiltered honesty drawn from real-world trials. It delivers practical takeaways and affirming messages that this life chapter is not for slowing down, but for embracing authenticity and living vibrantly according to your own rules.
