Author: editor|maison1973

  • The Anytime Risotto

    The Anytime Risotto

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    The Anytime Risotto


    • Author: editor|maison1973
    • Total Time: approx 45 min

    Description

    A good risotto has a way of making any day feel just that little bit more special. This one is simple and easy to love, with leeks, mushrooms and peas. You can modify it to your taste, as this is a versatile base that starts with just a handful of simple, quality ingredients.

    This recipe serves 2 (generously) as a main, or 4 as a side.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    1 leek rinsed and finely chopped 150g white or brown mushrooms, sliced 1 large garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 3/4 cup aborio rice 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock (we use low salt or unsalted as we prefer to control the seasoning) 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into small pieces 1/2 cup frozen peas (we prefer baby peas as they add a lovely sweetness) 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tbsp butter (we prefer unsalted for this recipe) 1/4 cup parmigiano regiano (parmesan) cheese (or we also use Grana Padano) Freshly ground sea salt and pepper to taste finely chopped parsley for garnishing (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Heat the stock in a saucepan over medium heat to bring to a gentle boil. Then turn the heat down to a simmer
    2. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a large saucepan, add the mushrooms and fry over medium to high heat until golden (approx. 5-7min).  Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to rest.
    3. In the same saucepan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil into a saucepan over medium heat. Add leek and garlic and gently saute till translucent (approx 3 min, being careful not to burn them)
    4. Once leek and garlic is translucent, add rice and continually stir for 1-2 min to coat each grain. This process is called ‘tostatura‘ (toasting) and is an important step in providing the nutty flavour and creamy texture to the finished risotto.
    5. Add the dry white wine to the hot pan to deglaze the rice. Stir through until it is fully evaporated and the aroma of the wine disappears. This process is called ‘sfumatura
    6. Add one ladle at a time of the broth to the pan and stir until fully absorbed. Continue this process one ladle at a time until all of the broth is absorbed and the rice moves in a nice ‘wave’ through the pan when you run your spoon through it. The texture of the rice should be slightly chewy but creamy. This process takes approx. 20 minutes
    7. Add the aspragus and peas and stir through till just cooked. Don’t overcook the vegetables. You want them to remain their vibrancy of colour and texture. Approx 3-5 min
    8. Add the mushrooms back to the pan and gently stir through to combine.
    9. Remove pan from heat and immediately stir through the butter and cheese to get a creamy consistency
    10. Season with salt and pepper to taste and the squeeze of lemon juice
    11. Let the risotto rest for a couple of minutes so all of the flavours blend together.
    12. Serve with a light drizzle of olive oil and finely chopped parsley to finish

    Notes

    1. Always ensure your broth is warm before it is added to the pan
    2. It’s important to stir your rice with each ladle, but no need to over stir continuously as this can make the risotto feel ‘gluggy’ as it releases too much starch
    3. If your risotto feels too dry, add a little more (heated) stock to the pan and stir gently to loosen
    4. If the risotto is sticking to the bottom of the pan, turn the heat down slightly and continue stirring to loosen
    5. This base recipe is incredibly versatile – ie. you can add roasted pumpkin instead of mushrooms, substitute the leek for onion, add diced bacon or pancetta etc. Once you know the basics of a good risotto, you can modify it to suit!
    6. If you don’t wish to use wine, you can substitute with a little bit of lemon juice at this stage of the cooking process (to provide the acidity required), or alternatively you could use a non-alcoholic white wine.
    • Prep Time: 15 min
    • Cook Time: 30 min
    • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
    • Method: Sautéing
    • Cuisine: Italian
  • Cauliflower et miso

    Cauliflower et miso

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    Cauliflower et miso


    • Author: editor|maison1973
    • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

    Description

    A delicious and simple baked cauliflower that is elevated to another level! Perfect as a side dish to steak, chicken or fish, or as a standalone main course served with rice or salad.

    This recipe serves 4.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    1 large cauliflower – outer leaves removed (we love to leave just a couple) and base trimmed 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp of miso paste of choice 1 tbsp light soy sauce 2 tbsp honey 500ml chicken or vegetable stock (we use low salt or unsalted as we prefer to control the seasoning) juice and zest of 1 lemon Grated knob of fresh ginger (optional) sprinkling of sea salt and black pepper (to taste)

    Instructions

     

    1. Preheat oven 180°C (degree Celsius) or 356°F (degree Fahrenheit
    2. Trim and rinse cauliflower and leave whole
    3. Place cauliflower in a deep baking / casserole dish (with lid)
    4. Combine all remaining ingredients into a jug and mix well.
    5. Pour over the cauliflower, making sure to coat well.
    6. Cover with foil and lid and place into oven. Bake with lid on for approx. 40 min
    7. Check if cauliflower tender with a knife in centre. If tender, remove lid and foil and baste with juices from pot.
    8. Increase heat to 200°C (degree Celsius) or is 392°F (degree Fahrenheit) and place back into oven and bake until golden and slightly caramelised – another approx 20min. 
    9. Remove from oven and transfer to plate for serving. Spoon over remaining sauce.

    Notes

    1. We love to add a drizzle of extra virgin oil before serving and a good grind of black pepper
    2. Go lightly on the sea salt as the soy sauce provides enough saltiness!
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 1 hour
    • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: Japanese
  • The Brunch Beans

    The Brunch Beans

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    Brunch Beans

    The Brunch Beans


    • Author: editor|maison1973
    • Total Time: approx 30 min

    Description

    A deliciously creamy (minus the cream!) and hearty bowl of cannellini beans that you will want to serve with crusty sourdough and perhaps some spicy sardines…this is a favourite of ours to serve as a late breakfast / brunch or lunch dish. It’s so quick, easy and incredibly tasty!

    Serves 2


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    For beans: 1 can (approx. 420g or 15-16 ounce) of cannellini beans (see notes), drained and rinsed 1 garlic clove, finely chopped, minced or grated 1 lemon – zest and juice 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 500ml of chicken or vegetable broth or stock (we use low salt or unsalted as we prefer to control the seasoning) 50g of grated parmesan cheese For gremolata: 1/2 bunch of flat leaf parsley 1/2 clove garlic lemon zest of one lemon and a small squeeze of juice 12 anchovy fillets (optional) 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. To make the gremolata, mix all of the ingredients in a small blender, or we prefer to use a mortar and pestle. Whichever method used, try not to over blend – you want to keep some texture. Once made, check seasoning and adjust to taste (should taste zesty and fresh – and not too salty). Set aside
    2. To make the beans: place a little of the extra virgin olive oil into a medium size fry pan over medium heat
    3. Add the garlic and saute till translucent – a couple of minutes (be careful not to burn or colour!)
    4. Add the beans and stir through – a couple of minutes
    5. Add half of the stock and simmer the beans until softer (approx. 5 min)
    6. Take a masher (or the back of a large wooden spoon) and gently pressed down on the beans so that some are slightly mashed (this process helps give the beans their ‘creamy’ texture)
    7. Add the lemon juice and remainder of stock
    8. Simmer for another 5 minutes or until the beans have a softer, creamy consistency.
    9. Remove from heat and add in the parmesan cheese and stir to combine (and until cheese is melted)
    10. Season with freshly ground black pepper and salt
    11. Serve in a bowl, topped with gremolata and sourdough bread, lightly toasted for dipping!

    Notes

    1. We prefer to use canned organic cannellini beans whenever we can
    2. We love to serve these beans with a side of spicy or smoked sardines!
    3. If you love a bit of extra spice, a splash of green or red tabasco sauce is also fantastic with this dish.
    • Prep Time: 15 min
    • Cook Time: 15 min
    • Category: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack
    • Method: Frying, Sautéing
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Not Fearless. But Courageous.

    Not Fearless. But Courageous.

    Fearlessness.
    A MYTH?

    Courage? Is lived.

    “I’m definitely not fearless. But I am courageous. It’s not something I wake up with – I have to choose it. Somedays, more often than others. But I learnt long ago, fear doesn’t go away – I just had to find the courage to keep going in the face of grief, doubt, reinvention.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    Courage Is Not The ABSENCE Of Fear.

    I’ve felt varying degrees of fear in all sorts of situations – airports, boardrooms, hospitals. I’ve felt it in my bones. I’ve felt it before sending the text, the email. Making the call. Starting again. Walking away. Small things, big things – all sorts of things. Over time, I have been fearful of many things – I am human.

    And I’ve felt fear when things were good, too. When life was full and love was all around and it scared me because…what if I lost it?

    So no – I’m not ‘fearless’. But I try not to let fear ever take over and stop me from doing what I need – or want to do. I also don’t live in a state of fear – something I am incredibly grateful for.

    Fear – it visits me.

    The word, the context, the emotion and the meaning behind it, truly fascinates me – as often it is just thrown around very one dimensionally without thought or care for what it actually means to some people.

    Like you, I have to face things I fear all the time. How do I do that? By finding courage.

    I’ve just stopped pretending that ‘fearlessness’ is the goal. But courage? That’s real. That’s lived. And that’s what midlife is asking of us now as we embark on our next chapter.

    Fear Doesn’t Mean You’re WEAK.

    We’re told from a young age to be brave. To stand tall. To not cry. And often, when we learned how to find the courage and face a fear – we grew as a result. Fear can be one of our greatest teachers. I am not ashamed at all to admit that I have many fears – some I have faced and some that I still have, and continue to face as they arise. There is absolutely no shame or weakness in that whatsoever. In fact, it’s probably saved me in some situations.

    Nowadays, however, that messaging has gotten slicker. More forceful.

    Be fearless.
    Be unstoppable.
    Be more.

    It all seems motivational on the surface. And often, for some (and in the right context) – it can be. But quietly, sometimes it can make us feel like we’re somehow lacking if fear still visits us – if we still second-guess ourselves at 45, or 51, or 62.

    If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve lived through a few lifetimes within your life.

    You’ve done brave things.
    You’ve done hard things.

    You’ve achieved wonderful things.
    You’ve endured times of heartbreak, change, reinvention, caregiving, letting go.

    You’ve had hope and you more than likely, have felt fear – in varying degrees.

    You’ve needed to find and trust your courage – quiet, imperfect, evolving – and that it is more than enough.

    Because it is.

    What COURAGE Has Looked Like in My Life

    It didn’t always look bold. And sometimes it did. Most of the time though, I was vulnerable and had no idea what to do.

    Somedays it looked like crying in the car, pulling it together, and walking into the meeting anyway.

    Other times it was hearing news that you never want to hear and facing something that was indescribable, but there was no other option but to deal with it. Often, it looked like saying “I’m not sure yet.” Or “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

    Sometimes, it looked like silence. And sometimes, it looked like speaking the truth that made my voice shake. None of that was fearless.

    Point was – I felt the fear and then had to find the courage to face it. Time after time.

    The Courageous MIDDLE

    We’re not in a season of proving. We’re in a season of choosing. And that, takes courage.

    It can be messy and quiet. Hard and rewarding. It’s where we:

    • Reclaim our voice.
    • Make peace with our body.
    • Stop apologising for our ambition – or our rest.
    • Let go of roles – and people – that no longer fit with our life.
    • Begin again, even when it’s not guaranteed to work.
    • Learn to be vulnerable in life, in relationships and in leadership.
    • Stand up for what we believe in.
    • Set boundaries.

    Courage Doesn’t Always SHOUT.

    I believe, one of the great shifts that happens as we age, is the ‘shedding’ of the need of ‘performance’. We’re far more interested in being true.

    And fearlessness? Often, nowadays that’s become a performance. Just a bunch of words thrown at us to make us pretend we are something we are not. Some of the most incredibly strong, courageous people I know – who have faced insane adversities in life – still openly admit that they have fears, to this day. But they lived through it with courage and bravery – and continue to do so.

    Courage is a choice and a practice. It’s often deeply private. It’s often unseen. And it doesn’t demand (or require), applause.

    So now more than ever, I consciously choose to just be present in life. And that means welcoming in the full range of emotions – including fear.

    But it doesn’t sit in the drivers seat – it’s just a passenger in my car of life.

    Rippling waves create a soothing rhythm as the sun dips low on the horizon, casting warm hues over the water’s surface in a captivating display of nature’s artistry.

    Acknowledge the fear.
    Walk anyway.

    maison 1973

    Courage doesn’t have to be loud. Just real.

    Continue to explore our mood boards for inspiration

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • Insight & Instinct: Learning to Trust Both

    Insight & Instinct: Learning to Trust Both

    The BLEND: Data & Gut

    Powerful duo.
    photograph of wild horses running in the steppe, brown and white, grainy film filter, minimalist, kodak portra film, cinematic, in the style of Monia Merlo –ar 35:57 Job ID: e2b26c11-f31f-41a8-87e0-4d6d6ce7c07a

    The POWER We All Have

    There’s something magical that starts to happen in midlife.

    You realise you’ve spent decades collecting insight — facts, patterns, frameworks, evidence, experiences. And just as suddenly, your instinct starts to get louder. Not louder in volume. Louder in clarity.

    The gut pulls that once felt like noise now feel like knowing. The flashes of intuition that once felt inconvenient now feel undeniable.

    And somewhere along the way, we realise that we don’t have to choose one over the other.

    The new power? It comes from learning to hold and use, both.

    Insight: The MUSCLE You Built

    Let’s be clear. You didn’t get here by winging it. You worked hard. You analysed. You listened. You endured. You lived. You learned the difference between hype and reality. Between story and substance. Between what’s nonsense BS and what actually matters.

    Your insight has been earned.

    You can read a room, a brief, a person. You can anticipate outcomes. You know what happens when people talk too fast, promise too much, sell too early. We have honed these skills over four or more decades now.

    That’s our insight. It’s not just intellect — it’s pattern recognition. It’s lived experience. It’s data you carry in your bones.

    But insight is only one side of the story.

    Instinct: The VOICE That Was Always There

    Instinct doesn’t shout. It nudges us. It tugs at us. It stirs somewhere in our gut that we can’t quite put our finger on.

    It’s the “something’s off” before you know why. It’s the moment you’re about to sign, and your body says no. It’s the moment you are not so sure about someone or something, but you can’t explain why.

    Instinct isn’t always rational. But it’s deeply intelligent. It’s our subconscious pulling on thousands of micro-data points before our brain can catch up.

    In your 20s, you possibly ignored it. You doubted it. Now? We’d be fools not to listen.

    Why Midlife Women Are the ULTIMATE Balancers of Both

    Because we’ve had to be. Quite simple really.

    We’ve spent years in boardrooms, bedrooms, hospitals, offices, schools. We’ve seen what happens when people follow logic without heart. And we’ve seen what happens when people follow vibes without vision.

    Midlife isn’t about becoming more cautious or more impulsive. It’s about becoming fluent in both of these languages and learning to balance them more than ever before.

    “Insight for me, has always been about trying to rationalise with fact and experience. Intuition on the other hand, just hits me when I least expect it. I find nowadays, I listen to my gut more than ever before.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic

    When Insight Gets in the WAY

    Sometimes we’re too smart. We overthink. We talk ourselves out of a yes because we can’t justify it on paper. We stay where it’s safe, because the data says it’s stable.

    But the truth is: stability isn’t always success. And sometimes insight can paralyse you with options. Analysis paralysis – we’ve all been in many (business) situations where this is strongly evident!

    We forget that not every decision needs a business case. Some just need a feeling.

    When INSTINCT Is the Only Thing You Have

    And then there are the moments when insight fails you. The job offer looks perfect. The partnership is textbook ideal. The timing seems “right.”

    And yet…You feel that flicker. That unease. And you walk away. Or you say yes. Or you shift the entire plan based on a gut pull you couldn’t explain.

    And later, you realise: your body knew what your mind couldn’t articulate. That’s instinct. That’s trusting your gut.

    How Do We HONOUR Both?

    We all find ourselves in this position, day in day out. Sometimes the decisions we face are enormous and life changing, others are just everyday situations. Here’s how we tend to tackle it:

    Pause before the plan. Give instinct a seat at your table before you logic it to death.

    Validate the feeling. Ask yourself: is this a real no, or just fear?

    Cross-check with insight. Gut says go? Great. Now give it some structure.

    Decide with your whole self. Not just your brain. Not just your body. All of you.

    Midlife truly is the age of integration. We are not just thinkers. We are feelers, knowers, deciders – all encompassing now.

    We don’t need to prove we’re smart. We don’t need to explain why we know what we know. We just get to trust that the years have sharpened every part of us.

    Close up photo of a white marble sculpture in the corner of a minimal Paris apartment, a classical Greek style head and shoulders figure in the style of Greek sculptures, minimalist aesthetic with cream walls. –ar 35:47 –style raw Job ID: 47388394-56bb-44dd-b72d-487d78a3456a

    Insight is our compass.

    Instinct is our wind.

    Trust both.

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • The Space Between Vision and Movement

    The Space Between Vision and Movement

    BACK Yourself.

    Clarity doesn’t come before movement. It follows it.

    “The space ‘in-between’ a vision or idea you have – is not empty. It’s asking for you to move. This has always been the feeling I have had with any work or life decision. I get a vision that just lingers, and then I act upon it. You have to back yourself, otherwise no one else will.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    The Space Between Vision and Movement

    Movement Makes It REAL

    There’s a space many of us know intimately – especially now, in midlife.

    It’s the place between the spark of an idea…and the moment we act on it.

    For some of us, it looks like notebooks filled with half-started plans. For others, it’s a beautiful vision quietly circling in the back of the mind for years, unspoken, unexplored.

    We hold these ideas like precious, fragile things. And yet – so often – we hesitate to move.

    Not because we’re lazy. Not because we’re indecisive. But because we want it to matter. And we want to feel ready.

    The truth is, most of us were never taught how to bridge vision with movement.

    Especially not in the ways that honour how women like us work, think, and create.

    So this piece is for the ones standing in that quiet space in-between. The women who feel the pull of something they can’t yet name, or the weight of something they can’t yet begin. Let’s explore why that space exists—and how to gently move through it.


    The Invisible Frictions That Keep Us STUCK

    Let’s name the real things that hold us in the in-between:

    • Perfectionism: If it’s not flawless, it doesn’t feel worth starting
    • Overwhelm: Too many options, too much noise, too little focus
    • Fear of Judgement: Of failing. Of being visible. Of doing it wrong
    • Comparison: Everyone else seems to have it together.
    • Past Success: When you’ve been good at something for so long, starting something new feels risky

    But beneath all of this is something deeper: fear.

    Not the loud kind. The quiet, sophisticated fear that knows how to sound like logic. It tells us:

    • “What if this doesn’t work?”
    • “What if I’m not as good as I thought I was?”
    • “What if people don’t get it, or don’t get me?”
    • “What if I’m too late?”

    Fear whispers doubt in the voice of reason. It dresses up as protection. But often, it’s just delay in disguise.

    The pain of the unknown is real. We like control. We like identity. And the in-between space? It threatens both. It’s where old narratives unravel, but new ones haven’t formed yet.

    Still, the unknown is also where everything begins.

    How Midlife SHIFTS the Landscape

    By the time we reach midlife, we’ve collected a powerful inventory: Experience. Discernment. Pattern recognition. Depth. Taste.

    But also: Wounds. Hesitations. Responsibilities. Real-world constraints.

    The fire is still there. But we use it differently now. We don’t want to burn out. We want to burn brighter.

    That’s why the way we move needs to evolve. Not to force movement, but to create conditions for aligned movement.

    BRIDGING the Gap: From Idea to Action (maison style)

    This isn’t a five-step hustle guide. It’s a reframe. A set of principles that honour how you work best, now. We also shared a simple, practical version on our Instagram page, and here it is explained a little differently:

    1. Start with a feeling, not a headline.
      • Instead of asking “What’s the outcome?”, ask: “How do I want to feel while doing this?”
    2. Design a rhythm, not a routine.
      • Routines demand. Rhythms respond. Give your creative energy flow, not force.
    3. Make it tangible, then tiny.
      • Choose one action that brings the idea into the real world. Email yourself the idea. Buy the domain. Tell one person. Begin.
    4. Release the myth of readiness.
      • You won’t feel fully ready. You will feel honest. That’s the real start.
    5. Create a container, not a cage.
      • Give yourself permission to change, reshape, or evolve the idea – without abandoning it. Stick with it.
    6. Detach from perception.
      • Not everything needs to be seen to be valid. This is yours.
    7. Define success by resonance, not reach.
      • Does it feel aligned? Are you proud of how it’s unfolding? That’s the measure now.
    8. Back yourself.
      • You don’t need permission. You don’t need certainty. You need belief.
      • Belief in your taste, your talent, your timing.
      • You are allowed to begin even when you’re still becoming.

    Backing yourself doesn’t mean ignoring fear. It means moving with it. It means deciding that your ideas are worth the risk of being misunderstood. It means trusting that what you’ve seen in your mind, you can build in the world.


    The Quiet POWER of Just Beginning

    It doesn’t have to be dramatic. You don’t need a launch or a grand reveal. You just need a moment.

    A moment of courage. A moment of truth. A moment where you back yourself just enough to take the next step.

    Movement begets clarity. Clarity begets momentum. And from that? You build something that feels like you.

    Not because you rushed it. Not because you followed someone else’s playbook. But because you honoured the space in between.

    That space was never empty. It was just waiting for you to move.


    You CAN Do This Too

    “I didn’t wait to feel ready. I just kept showing up – idea after idea, room after room. I’ve started from scratch more times than I can count. Not because I had it all figured out – but because I trusted the feeling that said, ‘begin anyway‘.

    Every step I’ve taken- from launching creative businesses to leading teams – began in the same place: not certainty, but quiet conviction. I know this space well – the hesitation, the ache, the almost-start. But every time I moved, it changed everything.”

    Life

    There is no map.
    Just start.

    maison 1973

    We got this.

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • You’re Not Burnt Out. You’re Creatively Underfed.

    You’re Not Burnt Out. You’re Creatively Underfed.

    Midlife isn’t the problem.
    MONOTONY is.

    Creativity is oxygen. You might be holding your breath?

    “I wasn’t exhausted. I was underfed — creatively, emotionally, spiritually. It took me a litle while to realise the difference.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    Where Has Our CREATIVITY Gone?

    There’s a particular kind of fatigue that doesn’t come from overwork. It comes from underfeeling. Underimagining. Undercreating.

    And if you’re a Gen X woman waking up each day wondering why the spark is gone, wondering why a full night’s sleep still leaves you feeling flat—you might not be burnt out. We spend so much of our time reading, talking thinking and worrying about navigating through all of our midlife hormonal and ‘life shifts’ – but sometimes it’s not about any of that.

    You might just be creatively underfed.

    Let’s dive into this interesting space a little more.

    The Myth of BURNOUT (And Why It’s Not Always True)

    We’ve been sold the idea that burnout means we’ve worked too hard, too long, for too little reward. And sure—that’s part of it. But many women in midlife are doing less than they did ten years ago, and yet feel more emotionally depleted than ever.

    Why? Because what’s missing isn’t capacity. It’s creative nourishment.

    Burnout is collapse. It’s the body saying no. But creative starvation is subtler. It shows up as:

    • Restlessness in rest.
    • Mindless scrolling that leaves you hollow.
    • Emotional flatness.
    • A longing you can’t quite name.

    We’re not broken. Our inner world is hungry. We know the feeling all too well.

    “Midlife didn’t dull my ambition. It just redirected it. Now I crave doing what I do best – creating. Not busyness.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney

    Competence Isn’t CREATIVITY

    If you’re a Gen X woman, you were more than likely raised on grit, efficiency, and survival. You’ve spent decades holding everything together, knowing what to do, and doing it well. You’re probably damn good at your job, your calendar, your life…and everything in between.

    But somewhere along the way, being competent became the enemy of being curious. Of being lit up. Of not knowing, and playing anyway.

    And here’s the kicker: a life full of function without imagination becomes… beige. Not bad. Just blunted.

    This isn’t about quitting your job to become an artist (or absolutely it could be if that’s what lights your fire). This is about asking yourself: Where am I letting the spark go dim, because I’ve convinced myself I don’t have time to feel it?

    Whatever it is—your spark can re-ignite.

    maison 1973

    How to Tell if You’re Creatively UNDERFED

    You might not be aware it’s happening. But here are some signs:

    • You’re consuming more than you’re creating (even if creating just means journaling or arranging flowers).
    • You feel uninspired by the things that used to excite you.
    • You crave depth but settle for distraction.
    • You’re always ‘tired’ but rest doesn’t work.
    • You long for something…but can’t name what.

    If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not failing. You’re just a little creatively underfed.

    What Creative NOURISHMENT Actually Looks Like

    Let’s be clear: this isn’t about being productive. This isn’t about monetising your hobby or learning to paint so you can open an Etsy shop.

    Creative nourishment is about doing something for the sheer joy of it. It’s doing something you don’t need to be good at. It’s about creating energy, not output.

    Here’s what that might look like:

    • Putting on music and dancing alone in the kitchen.
    • Re-reading a novel you loved at 22.
    • Drawing.
    • Doodling
    • Art – in all forms. Admiring it.
    • Start a blog
    • Take beautiful pictures
    • Wander without intent.
    • Daydreaming.
    • Making something – anything.
    • Cooking something new. Or something old and comforting.
    • Wandering in nature.
    • Writing a letter
    • Creating a mood board
    • Playing – with a guitar, an instrument, a new gadget.
    • Rearranging your shelves by colour.
    • Lighting a candle at 3pm, just because.

    Creativity isn’t always grand. Sometimes it’s just giving yourself permission to care and be playful and letting your mind just wander. Get lost in our thoughts.


    Why Midlife Is a Creative PORTAL

    Most people think of creativity as youthful: the domain of 20-somethings and start-ups. But midlife? Midlife is actually one of the richest, most potent portals for creative reinvention—if we choose to walk through it.

    Here’s why:

    • You care less about other people’s opinions.
    • You know yourself better than you ever have.
    • You have been through all life has offered so far – good and bad.
    • You’ve survived enough to know what matters.
    • You’re not here to prove. You’re here to express.

    And creative expression is the exact antidote to the ‘grey fog’ of modern life.


    THE maison 1973 Takeaway

    This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing different.

    At maison 1973, we believe:

    • Creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a life source.
    • Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a privilege.
    • You don’t need to be good. You just need to be willing.
    • Just start – do, change, repeat

    And when we create (whether it’s a dish, a sentence, a feeling, or a space), we re-enter our world with fresh eyes.

    If you feel like you’re stuck in beige… If you can’t remember the last time something lit you up… If you’re craving something more, but unsure what…

    This is a call back to your creative self.

    It’s not always ‘burnout’ – maybe you just need to feed your inner creative. Sometimes it’s not about the five-year plan. You just need a spark. And maybe it starts with a messy doodle, a walk without your phone, or a playlist you haven’t heard since 1996.

    Whatever it is, let’s find it. Because it’s wonderful.

    Midlife isn’t an ending-
    it’s an invitation.
    You in?

    maison 1973

    Your creativity is waiting.

    Continue to explore our mood boards for inspiration

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • Letting Go: The Quiet Art of Making Space for What Matters

    Letting Go: The Quiet Art of Making Space for What Matters

    Put It DOWN

    When you’ve carried enough, it’s time to set some of it down.

    There’s a moment that sneaks up on you in midlife. Not dramatic. Not urgent. Just…quiet.

    You look at the life you’ve built—what you’ve chased, held onto, proven, protected—and you realise: You’re holding too much. And not all of it belongs to you anymore.

    “I used to think letting go meant losing something. Now I know it just means I’m choosing what gets to come with me next.”

    creator maison 1973, Nic Tierney

    The Invisible Weight

    Letting go isn’t always about loss. Sometimes, it’s about lightening the load. About loosening your grip on things you were never meant to carry this far:

    • Outdated ambitions
    • Roles you no longer want to play
    • Relationships that quietly deplete you
    • Expectations you didn’t consent to
    • Narratives that were never yours to begin with

    There’s no ceremony to it. No applause. Just a quiet moment of truth:

    I don’t need this anymore.

    What We Were Told to Hold

    We were taught to be good. To be capable. To keep it together. To carry it all.

    And we did—for decades. We juggled careers, kids, care, emotional labour, aging parents, societal pressure, self-doubt, and a constantly shifting sense of who we’re supposed to be.

    But letting go isn’t failure. It’s wisdom.

    It’s the act of choosing to no longer prove what you’ve already lived.


    The Fear of RELEASE

    Letting go can feel terrifying. Not because we want to keep it—but because of what might rush in when we make space.

    Who am I without this role? What happens if I stop trying? What if nothing comes to fill the space I’ve cleared?

    These are honest questions and ones that we have dealt with of late. And they deserve not just our attention, but our patience.

    But here’s what we’ve learned: nature doesn’t leave voids. When you release what no longer serves you, something always shifts. And often, what enters is softer. Lighter. More aligned.

    Biggest thing we have learnt during this time of release: We’re not falling apart. We’re falling into place.

    Letting Go Doesn’t Mean Giving Up

    This is important: letting go doesn’t mean apathy. Or weakness. Or retreat.

    It means discernment. It means you’ve evolved. It means you’re ready to redirect your energy toward what’s still alive inside you—not what’s already expired.

    It’s not quitting. It’s curating.

    The Maison Lens

    “At maison, we believe that letting go is a creative act. It’s how space is made for new wants, new rhythms, new ways of being. The fear of stepping away from the familiar was very real. But the cost of not building this and backing myself? That was louder.”

    It’s not a single dramatic decision. It’s a series of subtle shifts:

    This isn’t self-help. It’s self-respect.

    Letting go, maison-style, isn’t loud. It’s intentional. Clear. Quietly powerful.

    What Can You Set Down?

    Start there. Not with the question of what’s next. But with the question of what’s no longer necessary.

    What can you lay down, gently? What weight have you convinced yourself is yours, when it never was?

    Letting go is how we make room—for new, for space, for self.

    You don’t have to carry it all anymore. You really, really don’t.


    A life with more room to breathe.

    maison 1973

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • Wanting Differently: The Radical Act of Asking Yourself What You Actually Want

    Wanting Differently: The Radical Act of Asking Yourself What You Actually Want

    The Burning QUESTION

    Because wanting the same things as everyone else was never the point was it?

    “Some of my wants arrived quietly. Some took their time. The important part I’ve now learnt at this stage in my life – is just letting them belong—without needing to make sense to anyone else.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    What We Had To Ask OURSELVES

    There’s a quiet question that can change everything in midlife:

    What do you actually want?

    Not what you were told to want. Not what looks good on paper. Not what other women seem to be chasing.

    But you—here, now.

    What do you want?

    We ask this not as a throwaway prompt, but as a radical act. Because to want differently in a world of sameness is to reclaim your agency, your intuition, your truth. And we have done it and continue to do it.

    And that, maison woman – is a kind of freedom most people are too busy to notice.

    Let’s explore this further.

    The MYTH of the “Right” Want

    We’ve been subtly taught that there’s a hierarchy of wants:

    • A successful career (but not too much success).
    • A beautiful home (but don’t flaunt it).
    • A partner, kids, travel, glowing skin, a side hustle, toned arms, a purpose, a plan…oh geez the list goes on.

    But so much of that was performance.

    What happens when the applause dies down and the to-do list is done? When you finally have the space to sit with your own mind—unfiltered, unscrolled, unprompted?

    Wanting differently begins there.

    Not with the noise, but with the noticing. Not with the next thing, but with the stillness between things.

    “Not everything has to be big. Some of the most important wants barely make a sound.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney

    Wanting Without SHAME

    The problem with wanting in midlife isn’t desire. It’s judgement.

    We’ve been conditioned to judge our own cravings:

    • Too much.
    • Too late.
    • Too selfish.
    • Too frivolous.

    So we dial it down. Make it smaller. Tuck it away.

    But Maison isn’t here for small wants. It’s here for honest ones. Expansive ones. Strange, wild, brave ones.

    The want to start over. The want to disappear for a while. The want to take up painting. Or silence. Or space.

    The want to live less urgently—and more deliberately.

    The want to be seen—but only by the right people.

    Whatever it is—if it’s real, it belongs.

    maison 1973

    The PAUSE Between

    Wanting differently means learning to pause between what you should want and what feels true.

    That pause? That’s sacred territory.

    It’s where clarity lives. Where self-trust is built. Where your voice gets loud enough to hear again.

    But it’s also a tender space. Because when you start clearing away the external noise, you might find a gap—a space where you’re not sure what you want yet.

    That doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re listening.

    You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your longing. You don’t need to wrap it in strategy or make it Instagrammable.

    It’s enough to know what pulls at your soul.

    And to trust that that’s worth following.

    But What If It’s NOT Big?

    Wanting differently isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it’s subtle. We’ve learnt this over the years and we’re sure you have too.

    Wanting:

    • More mornings without noise.
    • More books. Less buzz.
    • A different rhythm.
    • A deeper friendship.
    • Time away from urgency. Time closer to the ocean. Time with family.
    • Just simple thing

    There’s nothing wrong with wanting less. There’s something very right about wanting real.

    Some wants whisper. Others stir quietly for years before surfacing. Both matter. Both count.

    The Role of CURIOSITY

    Wanting differently also invites a shift in how we relate to our own desire.

    Instead of chasing answers, we start asking better questions:

    • What am I drawn to lately?
    • What have I stopped pretending to enjoy?
    • What would feel like relief—not just reward?

    These aren’t checklist questions. They’re invitation questions—open-ended, evolving, and generous. We’ve become so accustomed to hacks and tips and everything being in bite size, that we have almost become afraid to seek insight, ask questions, let the answers sit with us awhile. In midlife this becomes more powerful than ever before.

    Sometimes, just asking is the breakthrough. Being curious is such a lost art nowadays.

    We created this space because we saw it: the women quietly craving more—but also craving differently.

    Not louder. Not shinier. Not faster.

    Just…truer.

    Maison 1973 is for the woman who wants with intention. Who’s ready to tune out the noise. Who trusts that her path may look different—because it should.

    Because insight is more powerful than instruction.


    THE maison 1973 Takeaway

    Start by asking yourself: What do I want now? What no longer fits? What have I been scared to say out loud?

    And then give yourself permission to want differently.

    Because when the wanting is real, it’s already enough.

    For women who’ve stopped performing—and started becoming.

    maison 1973

    Let’s ask the questions.

    Continue to explore our mood boards for inspiration

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • The Joys of Not Being for Everyone

    The Joys of Not Being for Everyone

    NICHE Is Power

    Honouring specificity. It’s liberating.

    “I stopped trying (a long time ago), to be understood by people who were never listening in the first place. So when it came to creating maison 1973, mass appeal was never the goal. Resonance is.”

    creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    You’re NOT For Everyone:
    And That’s The Point.

    There’s a quiet liberation that comes with midlife.

    Not the kind that shouts or seeks validation, but the kind that rises slowly—like sunlight through curtains. Soft but steady. Certain.

    It’s the freedom of finally understanding this: you’re not for everyone. And you were never meant to be.

    When Pleasing Becomes EXHAUSTING

    For years—decades even—we tried to be palatable.

    We softened our edges. Shrunk our opinions. Took up just the right amount of space—not too much, never too loud. We were professional ‘shapeshifters’, skilled at reading a room and adjusting accordingly.

    But over time, this careful calibration turns into quiet resentment.

    Because the truth is, when you’re always trying to be for everyone, you end up being fully seen by no one.

    And somewhere deep inside, we know that being liked by everyone isn’t the goal. Being real is.


    What HAPPENS When You Let Go of “Everyone

    Letting go of the need to be universally liked doesn’t make you harder.

    It makes you freer.

    You stop second-guessing your instincts. You dress how you like. You say what you mean. You let people be uncomfortable if they need to be. And you stop wasting time explaining yourself to people who aren’t truly listening.

    There’s joy in that.

    A very specific kind of joy—the joy of clarity. The joy of discernment. The joy of finally realizing that your taste, your energy, your point of view… they aren’t supposed to be universal.

    They’re supposed to be yours.

    NICHE Is Power

    We live in a world obsessed with reach. How many followers, how much engagement, how wide can you cast your net?

    But we’ve learned something different: niche is power.

    Think about it—every great woman you admire? She’s not everyone’s cup of tea. She’s polarizing. She’s specific. She’s herself.

    So what if we stopped chasing universality—and started honouring specificity?

    Here, we don’t try to be everything for everyone. We’re a space for the women who get it. Who feel it. Who’ve lived enough life to know what fits.

    And when you stop trying to please the crowd, something incredible happens: your people find you.

    Boundaries Are BEAUTIFUL

    Not being for everyone also means having boundaries. And boundaries are beautiful.

    They protect your peace. They preserve your time. They act as filters, gently keeping what no longer serves you at a distance.

    In midlife, boundaries become less about saying no to others and more about saying yes to yourself.

    You stop over-explaining. You start protecting your mornings, your energy, your dreams.

    And you realise: you don’t have to be accessible to everyone to be powerful.

    You don’t need to be understood to be valid.

    You don’t need to be approved of to be at peace.


    The MAISON Ethos

    We built maison 1973 on this truth: We’re not for everyone. And neither are you.

    This space isn’t mass appeal. It’s a home for thoughtful women. Women with depth, with a little edge. Women who know that not being for everyone is part of the magic. Women who still like to read the whole damn thing. Women who like to ponder and think about things.

    We write for the curious. The discerning. The evolved. And yes, sometimes the irreverent.

    So if you are here with us, you’re in great company.


    You Don’t OWE the World Your Conformity

    You owe the world your presence. Your intelligence. Your ideas. Your joy.

    But not your conformity.

    Not your constant explaining. Not your prettied-up version. Not your watered-down essence.

    You are allowed to be specific. To be sharp. To have taste. To say: “This is who I am.”

    Because when you finally accept you’re not for everyone— you begin to find the ones you are for.

    And that? We believe, that’s the real joy.

    The right ones always know. Not everyone will get it. But the right ones will. They’ll nod when you speak. They’ll feel what you mean. They’ll stay. You don’t have to be for everyone. You just have to be true.

    We’re so glad you’re here.
    Stay as long as you like.

    maison 1973

    Come in.

    Continue to explore our mood boards for inspiration

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • Growing Up Gen X: Why the Mixtape Still Defines Our Lives

    Growing Up Gen X: Why the Mixtape Still Defines Our Lives

    REWIND Worthy

    A Life in Rewind, Replay, and Realness.

    Before Streaming, Scrolling, And Skipping — We LIVED Life Like A Mixtape: On INSTINCT.

    Gen X isn’t a single soundtrack — it’s a whole collection of Side As and Side Bs. Some of us were teens in the thick of the ‘80s, rewinding tapes in our bedrooms and dancing in nightclubs before the internet had a name. Others were still riding bikes at sunset, making friendship bracelets, and growing up just in time for the rise of grunge, girl power, and the late-night music video marathon. We came of age in different ways, at different times — but we all felt it.

    We took photos and waited for the pics to get developed – then we meticulously arranged them in albums. We collected albums like we collected mix tapes – and we knew what every single one meant.

    Because no matter when you were born in that 1965–1980 window, you didn’t just live the culture…you recorded it. And it’s still playing.

    Long live the mixtape of life. Let’s go on a trip down memory lane…

    “When I started writing this, I realised the mixtape isn’t just a memory — it’s a metaphor for Gen X life. We recorded things as they happened, rewound the bits we didn’t quite get, and somehow made chaos feel special, regardless of how simple it was. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was ours.”

    founder of maison 1973, Nic Tierney

    Life Was SIMPLE And We Loved It

    It’s the late 80’s. Your knees are grazed from riding bikes without helmets, your hair smells like Impulse Illusions, and your fingers are covered in melted Paddle Pop. You’re lying on your bedroom floor, rewinding a cassette with a pencil and willing your older sibling to stay off the phone so you can tape the top 10 off the radio.

    Sound familiar? Haha, that’s cause it was our life – our simple, chaotic, crazy Gen X life.

    Welcome to the wild, weird, and wonderful world of growing up Gen X — whether you were dancing at a uni bar or decorating your locker. We all grew up in this special era that only we know all about.

    When phones were attached to walls and they had cords and could be left at home. The original ‘do not disturb’ was simply just leaving it off the hook.

    Cars had no air conditioning – just big windows with hard as hell handles to turn. We drove stick shift, grinding gears and reverse parking like a boss. Nothing was complicated, it was a time that things were built for use. They were necessary and they were useful.

    Playing handball on the road after school, jumping on the trampoline without safety rails or nets.

    This wasn’t just a childhood. It was a mixtape. Recorded in real time. Messy. Curated. Emotional. Full of skips, edits, and songs that made no sense — until they did.

    It was a time of just being yourself and the only thing we were obsessed with recording was music. Not ourselves, no selfies, no idea of what else was going on around us except what was happening in our neighbourhoods, in our friendship groups.

    The Soundtrack of US

    Depending on where you grew up, your soundtrack had its own flavour:

    In Australia, we had Countdown, Rage, Recovery, and the unforgettable Triple J Hottest 100. We knew the pub-rock glory of Cold Chisel and the dream-pop drama of Icehouse. INXS felt like global royalty — but ours.

    In New Zealand, we tuned into RTR Countdown and the magic of Radio With Pictures. Dave Dobbyn, Crowded House, and Shona Laing weren’t just names — they were national treasure status.

    In the UK, it was Top of the Pops, John Peel, Smash Hits, and the explosion of Britpop. We danced in our bedrooms to Bananarama, The Human League, and later, Blur and Oasis, long before the headlines caught up.

    In the US, it was MTV’s golden age — TRL, Yo! MTV Raps, 120 Minutes. Grunge was rising from the garage, hip hop was taking shape, and girl groups like En Vogue were giving us harmony and power.

    And no matter where you were — we all remember hitting ‘record’ and praying no one spoke over the intro.

    Our music wasn’t algorithm-fed. It was handed to us by friends, posters, rage clips, and gut instinct. We stood in record stores debating between Alanis and The Cure. We slow-danced to Roxette and lost our minds at Big Day Out. We screamed lyrics from the backseat with the windows down.

    We felt every word.

    The MIXTAPE As A Metaphor

    We weren’t a playlist. We were a mixtape.

    Side A was the ambition, the firsts, the fire in us.
    Side B was the softness, the reinvention, the stuff we got emotional to and told no one about.

    Some chapters we fast-forwarded through. Others we wore out from replaying.

    There were hidden tracks — the unspoken parts of growing up. There were unplanned overdubs — the noise we didn’t mean to record but still lives in the background.

    Some things were taped over. Some stayed scratched, imperfect, real.

    And yet, we kept recording and listening.

    Every mixtape told a story in biro and smudges. So did we. They were so sacred to us.

    Screens That SHAPED Us

    Then there were the movies and TV – a rite of passage.

    We grew up with The Breakfast Club, Reality Bites, My So-Called Life, and Muriel’s Wedding. We saw ourselves in awkward teens, chaotic women, and girls who were a bit too much (but in the best way).

    There was the all time release of Dirty Dancing and our obsession with Patrick Swayze began. Going to the drive in to watch a movie. Buying actual tickets to things. Keeping them as souvenirs.

    Kirk Cameron and Growing Pains, the original crushes – Michael J Fox, John Stamos, River Phoenix, Rob Lowe, Kurt Cobain, Axl Rose – the list was endless.

    Friday nights meant lining up at Video Ezy or Civic Video. You knew exactly what aisle Empire Records lived in and you always tried to get the last of the new releases – only to be disappointed as they were all gone. You rewound the tape out of respect – and you tried to get it back on time to avoid the fine (oh those fines lol).

    We memorised lines like scripture:

    “How do you like them apples?”
    (Good Will Hunting, 1997)

    We didn’t stream. We stayed up to watch it and feel it happen in real time. We didn’t scroll. We rewound and replayed. Over and over.

    And that’s the difference. We just kept living in the moment of life. We weren’t too bothered about anything else. Gosh, how incredible.

    “Writing this has been such a joy. The list of nuances and memories has been endless. I could keep writing for days and still not capture it all. This is just the tip of the iceberg as a Gen X growing up. This will be the first of many mix tape moments”

    THE Feels

    We didn’t have Pinterest. We had glue sticks and magazine tear-outs. We decorated diaries with Lisa Frank stickers and wrote our crushes’ names in glitter pen. We shopped at Granny Mays, collected erasers and scratch and sniff stickers.

    We made friendship bracelets and mood boards. We roller-skated in bubble skirts, wore cinch belts with Supre singlets, and proudly spritzed ‘CK One‘ before heading out.

    Our icons weren’t influencers. They were Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson, Linda, Christy, Naomi, Madonna, Pat Benatar, Whitney Houston, Belinda Carlisle, Tina Turner — untouchable and magnetic. They weren’t selling to us. They were just being. And we watched, and we learned. We poured through magazines just to see the latest in their lives.

    We played Snake on Nokia phones. We sat on the grass waiting for the Mr Whippy van to play its jingle. We had to be home to catch our favourite show. If you were lucky you had a VHS – if not, too bad. You missed it and you had to wait for next week.

    And the food?

    Apricot chicken. Devilled sausages. Party pies.

    BBQ Shapes and Toobs

    Zooper Doopers and Sunnyboys

    Milo piled four spoons deep in a mug

    Cheese and lettuce sandwiches

    The list is endless. So good. So good in fact, we’ll dedicate a whole other blog to it at another time.

    Why It Still LIVES In Us

    We may live in a digital world now, but our hearts beat analog.

    We remember because these moments weren’t just trends. They were imprints. They taught us rhythm, rebellion, expression, release. We loved every angst ridden moment of it all.

    That’s why certain songs still hit. That’s why certain films still feel like home. That’s why we get goosebumps when the Mr Whippy music plays or Smells Like Teen Spirit starts when you’re stuck in traffic. It’s instinctual to get those windows down and turn that music up full blast. We feel it in our core. It never, ever leaves us. Nor do we want it to.

    We’re not stuck in the past. We just know a good memory is like a great song — it grows with you.

    And like any good mixtape — we’re still curating. Still evolving. Still adding tracks.


    “I grew up rewinding tapes with pencils, eating BBQ Shapes after school, talking on the phone in the kitchen and figuring things out without Google or group chats. It was chaotic, unfiltered, kind of magic — and somehow, we all just made it work. Gen X didn’t just live through it. We recorded it, our way.”

    maison 1973 founder, Nic Tierney.

    The Maison 1973 Takeaway:

    For the rhythm, the memory, and the woman you still are.

    Gen X For Life.

    Continue to explore our mood boards for inspiration

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    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.

  • Gen X Women & Work: Why Midlife Is the Real Turning Point

    Gen X Women & Work: Why Midlife Is the Real Turning Point

    REWRITING The Rules After 45

    Midlife, work & what comes next?

    A REFLECTION On Power, Purpose, And The Midlife Work Story No One PREPARED Us For.

    There comes a moment when the old ways of working no longer fit. Not because you’re tired. Not because you’re slowing down.

    But because you’ve evolved.

    The question isn’t whether you want to work. Of course you do.

    The question is: how do you want to work now?

    The maison 1973 woman isn’t retiring. She’s refining.

    Let’s explore this new terrain we find ourselves in as the women of Generation X today.

    And if you find yourself still standing at the edge of change,
    you might also like to read You’ve Earned This Room — a manifesto for the woman who’s done proving herself, and is ready to own the space she built.

    “I’ve worked hard all my life. Led teams, built brands, fixed businesses that were failing, navigated health issues and yet still held it all together — often at the same time. What I care about now is building something that feels good — not just looks good on paper. Work has to mean more. It has to fit. And that’s the shift no one prepared us for.””

    creator maison 1973, Nic Tierney


    Part I: What No One TOLD Us About Work (And What We’ve Learned Anyway)

    For many Gen X women, work was never optional. It was expectation. Necessity. Identity. A structure we learned to operate inside, even when it didn’t serve us.

    We were told to have it all. So we tried. And while we were working hard (often invisibly), the world kept shifting the rules.

    We got degrees. Promotions. Kids. Titles. Fatigue. We made ourselves indispensable, adaptable, responsible. We worked through pregnancies, sick days, and grief. We worked when we weren’t paid fairly. Often, we worked twice as hard for half the recognition. We worked in heels, in uniforms, in flats on concrete floors, in after-hours silence, in crowded classrooms.

    And we’re still working. But now? We want it to mean something.

    “We were the first generation told we could be anything. But no one taught us how to stop, shift, or say no without guilt.”

    For some, work meant financial independence. For others, it was about survival. Many of us navigated single parenting, redundancies, restructures, or re-entry into the workforce after time away. We juggled part-time contracts, freelance work, multiple jobs, or unpaid care labour alongside it all.

    We built side hustles before the term existed. We said yes when we didn’t want to. We said no far too late. And we carried the mental load through every single version of it.

    What we want now is clarity. Autonomy. Fairness. Creativity. And a damn seat at the table we’ve earned.


    Part II: The QUIET Frustrations

    Midlife brings clarity—but also confrontation. You start to see what you’ve outgrown. You notice how much you’ve tolerated. And you begin to feel the cost of staying small, invisible, or overextended.

    We hear it all the time here at maison:

    • “I’m good at this job. But I’m done being treated like I’m lucky to be here.”
    • “I don’t want to climb anymore. I want to create.”
    • “I feel like I missed my chance…but I also know I’m just getting started.”
    • “I love the idea of starting something new. But I’m scared shitless.”
    • “I can’t keep doing it like this. Something has to change.”

    There’s no roadmap for this chapter. Only instincts, hints, and the quiet urge to claim something more honest.

    According to a 2023 study by Women in Work, over 60% of Gen X women reported feeling “unseen” or “undervalued” in their current roles. And yet, they are starting new businesses at a higher rate than any other female demographic.

    We’re underpaid, overqualified, and underestimated. But we’re also waking up. The dreams that used to feel frivolous now feel essential.

    And it’s not about ambition fading. It’s about ambition evolving.


    Part III: A Working Life, REIMAGINED

    Here’s the truth: Work is not just what we’re paid for. It’s the labour of care. Of showing up. Of reinvention. Of navigating burnout while pretending we’re fine.

    It’s doing the job and thinking ahead to dinner. It’s mentoring younger colleagues while booking appointments for aging parents. It’s logging off at 10pm, then logging back in for your kids. It’s waking up tired and still doing it all over again. We do this – every single day.

    And now? We’re rewriting the rules. For some of us, that means:

    • Leaving toxic environments
    • Negotiating flexibility without shame
    • Launching that side idea we’ve carried for years (hello maison 1973!)
    • Creating things that feel like freedom
    • Deciding that a smaller life might actually be a richer one
    • Saying no to the meetings, the guilt, the mental clutter

    Some are returning to study. Some are opening shops. Some are finally allowing themselves to rest. Some are rebuilding after layoffs or leaving industries they no longer trust.

    “I finally realised I didn’t need to ask permission to want more. Or less. Or different. I just needed to ask myself what felt right.”

    And that’s the question we keep coming back to: What feels right now?


    Part IV: The COST Of Staying The Same

    There is a cost to doing work that doesn’t honour you.

    Sometimes it’s subtle: irritability, disconnection, a low-grade sense of dread. Other times it’s more severe: burnout, illness, collapse.

    Midlife is often the moment you realise: the old version of work is unsustainable. It’s not about dropping everything and moving to the country (though for some, that’s the dream). It’s about recognising what’s no longer working — and having the courage to imagine something new.

    Because your nervous system, your time, your creativity, and your energy deserve care.

    “What I used to tolerate now feels impossible. That’s how I knew I was ready to change.”


    Part V: A Self Check-IN (The maison Way)

    As we have (and still continue to do), ask yourself:

    • What kind of work energises me now?
    • What have I been afraid to admit isn’t working?
    • Where am I undervaluing my experience?
    • What’s calling me that I’ve been avoiding?
    • What version of success actually excites me?
    • What would I do if I weren’t trying to prove anything?
    • What would I try if I weren’t afraid of failing?

    These questions don’t demand a life overhaul. But they might just start one. Quietly. Sustainably. On your terms.

    Explore our complimentary downloadable journals which are designed to effectively capture and assist in planning out your thoughts and goals.


    Part VI: What Work Looks Like NOW

    It looks like you, taking the reins.


    It looks like confidence without performance.


    It looks like boundaries without guilt.


    It looks like slowness without fear.


    It looks like ambition that has nothing to prove.

    It looks like walking out of a role you’ve outgrown.


    Or finally sending that email.


    Or rewriting your LinkedIn bio to sound like you.


    Or just saying, “This matters to me.”

    You don’t owe the world your exhaustion. You owe yourself a life that fits.

    This isn’t about starting over. This is about starting on purpose.

    Let’s go.

    maison 1973

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.