"I'm so busy."

"It's been manic."

"I haven't got a minute."

Sound familiar?

Life after 40 can feel like one massive list of things that need doing. Work, family, kids, parents, appointments, errands, WhatsApp groups... and somehow the things we actually want to do keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list.

In this episode, Gem asks whether we're genuinely too busy — or whether we've simply forgotten to make time for the things that make life enjoyable.

Because there's a difference between managing your life and actually enjoying it.

We're talking about packed diaries, constantly being needed, feeling guilty about doing things for yourself, friendships that never quite make it out of the "we must meet up" stage, and why sometimes you just need to put the bloody thing in the diary.

Because the washing will still be there.

The emails can wait.

And that WhatsApp group definitely doesn't need your attention.

Look at your diary for the next month.

What's actually in there that you're looking forward to?

If the answer is "not much"...

Change it.

Put something in the diary that's just for you.

Something fun. Something social. Something that gets you out of the house.

Because we're not trying to be busy.

We're trying to live.

If you're 40+ and based in South Manchester or Cheshire, find out more about the Next Chapter Society:

Next Chapter Society