7 Signs You're Thriving in Your 50s—Even if It Doesn't Feel Like It
There's a lot of talk about how social media is giving the "kids these days" a serious case of FOMO. However, people can feel stuck or like they're missing out at any age. If you feel like you've "failed to launch" or are treading water in your 50s, know you're not alone."Let's be real—this stage of life can come with some heavy stuff," says , a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners. "Health changes, career plateaus, kids leaving home, parents needing more care, financial pressure and shifting social circles can all leave women feeling stuck, invisible or taken for granted."Yet, Dr. MacBride says these life changes are precisely why it's crucial for people 50 and older to feel like they're "not just thriving, but surviving."It can be hard not to compare yourself to the Joneses or think that you haven't lived up to whatever future plans you said you had in your high school senior yearbook. Dr. MacBride shares that you might need to give yourself extra credit. She shares seven signs you're thriving in your , even if it doesn't feel like it.Related:
You may not be bouncing off the walls like a toddler at the grocery store, but, as Dr. MacBride points out, "Who needs that?" However, you're thriving in your 50s if you can get through your day without feeling like an energy vampire has bitten you."This is a great sign that your sleep, hormones and habits are working for you," Dr. MacBride says. "These things can feel like an uphill battle, and keeping them in good balance can help propel you forward."Related:
You left your people-pleasing days in a previous decade—goodbye over-apologizing or saying yes just to be nice."You know your worth—and your bandwidth," Dr. MacBride notes. "Strong boundaries reduce burnout, protect relationships and improve self-esteem and overall well-being. Not only that, it feeds back into the energy for what matters. Overcommitting and over apologizing drain energy resources, saying 'yes' when you mean it helps you thrive."Related:
You may roll with fewer people. However, you've never rolled deeper."Your circle may have shrunk, but it's full of people who are tried and true—quality over quantity," Dr. MacBride shares. "Getting and giving support to others is a key piece of resilience."Related:
Curiosity did not kill the cat, and having it is a sign you're doing just fine. Dr. MacBride says thriving opens the door for curiosity."Maybe for the first time in your life, you have the time and the resources to try something new," she explains. "Being in your 50s and beyond isn't about understanding your life story—it's about writing the next chapter. Our brains are wired to learn new things and have novel experiences."
You may be losing hair or having hot flashes from perimenopause/menopause. However, you're embracing your body with a warm hug. "Thriving means loving yourself, seeing your own beauty and believing that your worth lives in who you are," Dr. MacBride says.She shares that this sign is especially profound for women affected by society's impossible standards."The only choice becomes to rewrite what was once written for us," she notes.Bonus: "Loving [ourselves] and increasing self-compassion allows us to have a greater capacity for compassion toward others," she points out.Related:
Dr. MacBride says people may finally start prioritizing sleep in their 50s."The party-all-night stage is behind you, the kids can fend for themselves and it's time to invest in you," she raves. "[People] who thrive at 50+ begin to see how something like healthy sleep and diet can make a huge impact, and they start to take some of these things more seriously than in their 'It can't happen to me' younger years."
You suddenly have a spark that you last felt when filling out those aforementioned high school yearbook questionnaires."This time the dream is about retirement, adventures and renewal of relationships," Dr. MacBride says. "This phase of life can be a time when [people] engage in the present moment and give themselves time to imagine what they want, which might help the spark really ignite."Related:
Dr. MacBride encourages people to focus on the basics of good physical and mental health: Regular exercise, a balanced diet and healthy sleep. Also, communicate with your doctor."This is a time of great hormonal change for some women," she says. "Talk with your doctor about what hurts and mood swings. If you are not sure [if something is] working right, have it looked at."
Dr. MacBride stresses it's important for people in their 50s to connect with their values if they want to feel like they are thriving."Be intentional about what helps you find meaning and be creative about ways you can achieve that," she shares. "Often, these are the activities that keep us going after retirement age. Starting these new hobbies and making these new relationships now [can] help support a healthy transition later when it's time to retire."Related:
There's strength in numbers at every age. Dr. MacBride says the key to thriving is knowing who and where your people are."Make sure you are being intentional about who is around you and who you choose for support," she says.She loved listening to former First Lady Michelle Obama talk about who sits at her "kitchen table" (and phasing out "slow ghosts") on her book tour for The Light We Carry."This is your support system—be thoughtful about who joins you at that table," Dr. MacBride says. "If someone doesn't belong, maybe you let go of that relationship slowly and gently, but with purpose—thus the 'slow ghost.'" Up Next:Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners
7 Signs You're Thriving in Your 50s—Even if It Doesn't Feel Like It first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
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Whether it happens during casual chats or more personal moments, her insights make it easier to recognize when a line might be crossed—without making you feel judged or self-conscious. Thanks to her thoughtful tips, you'll come away with a better understanding of what can look like and how to be more mindful of your communication you see these subtle signs, you will hopefully understand how to not cross the oversharing line. You'll feel like you've unlocked a superpower: catching yourself before conversing turns into full-on TMI mode. Say goodbye to those awkward 'Oops, did I say too much?' moments for good. If you're ready to master the fine art of sharing just enough without going overboard, let's dive in and keep your conversations from making you (and the person you're talking to) 7 Subtle Signs You Might Be 'Oversharing,' a Psychologist Warns 1. You feel the need to fill every silence "This often comes from a good place, like a desire to keep the energy up and be an engaging partner," Dr. Shields says. "However, if you always try to fill the silence during conversation, it could be a subtle sign you're an oversharer. You should think of a great chat like a relaxed game of tennis, with the conversational ball passed gently back and forth."Instead of talking the moment nobody is saying anything, Dr. Shields suggests trying this trick."To get back into rhythm, try the 'Three-Beat Pause,'" she says. "To do that, after you finish a thought, simply take one quiet breath and mentally count to three before speaking again."She explains that this "creates the perfect opening" for that person to "return the ball," so to speak. "This simple pause can transform the dynamic from a frantic monologue into a comfortable dialogue, and you'll feel the relief of knowing you don't have to do all the work to keep the game going," she says. 2. You often regret what you said later If you are not sure if you're someone who tends to overshare, this subtle sign could be your red flag to help you know that."The sinking feeling you get when you realize you've accidentally left your emotional front door wide open all afternoon is a subtle sign you said too much," Dr. Shields tells Parade. "It's that moment of regret when you realize you shared a story that was still too raw or personal for the situation, leaving you feeling overexposed."The "Headline Test" is an easy way to stop this from happening, she says."Instead of sharing the whole saga at once, just offer the headline, such as, 'Wow, I had the most embarrassing thing happen to me today,' and then pause," she explains. "Their reaction, whether it's a curious 'Oh no, tell me more!' or a quick nod, is your signal for how much detail to share." This "test" can be a temperature check, to gauge where your audience is at so that you can tailor your story to their attention span or level of interest. It can swap "that feeling of regret for the confidence that comes from building connections thoughtfully, one headline at a time," she says. 3. People don't always reply to your texts after you share something If you've found yourself in this scenario more than once, it might not be because your friend is too busy to reply. It might be because you've shared too much, making them not know how to respond."When you're going through something, it's natural to reach for a trusted friend, and a text can feel like the quickest way to pour your heart out," Dr. Shields explains. "But sending a multi-paragraph text about a heavy topic is like emailing a friend a 50-page attachment when they were expecting a quick note."She shares that the silence after such a heavy message might not be indifference; they're just overwhelmed. 4. You post emotional content online without much filtering or context Revealing too much doesn't just happen in person. Dr. Shields says it can happen on social media and come off in the way you post. So, if this sounds like something you do, it may be a sign that lets you know you're an oversharer."The problem is, posting raw emotions to your social feed is like writing a deeply personal diary entry on a public billboard for all to see and is another sign of oversharing," she points out. "It may be a common impulse of yours, but it exposes your private feelings to a mixed audience of close friends, coworkers and old classmates." So how do you discern whether something is too much to share online? She tells Parade that you should "perform a quick audience check" before hitting "Post.""Ask yourself: 'Who is this thought truly for?' If the answer is one or two specific people, you've just identified that this isn't a public post, it's a private text waiting to be sent," she 7 Things You Should Never, Ever Post Online, According to Psychologists 5. You ask 'Is that too much?' but keep going According to Dr. Shields, if this is something you find yourself asking a lot, that's a subtle sign you should take note of. It probably means you're revealing too much about something."Consider this to be like a warning light flashing on the dashboard," she explains. "While asking, 'Am I sharing too much?' shows you're a considerate person trying to check in. The tricky part is when you ask it without pausing for a real answer, turning a good question into just a speed bump while you continue to tell your story, exposing that you're an oversharer."Basically, if you do ask this question, make sure to actually wait for and listen to the answer. 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This is because, sometimes, opening up too much too quickly can make it hard for a bond to have time to grow naturally."When someone has a habit of sharing their biggest, heaviest 'logs,' or their deepest vulnerabilities with someone they just met—when a friendship or relationship is fresh—before there's a steady bed of coals built from shared time and trust, it can cause those connection to fizzle out quickly," Dr. Shields tells Parade."To counter this, focus first on the small stuff," she suggests. "Shared jokes, common interests and simply spending time together before oversharing vulnerable things you're dealing with."Up Next:Source: Dr. Jenny Shields, a licensed clinical psychologist and National Certified Healthcare Ethics Consultant. 7 Subtle Signs You Might Be 'Oversharing,' a Psychologist Warns first appeared on Parade on Aug 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
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7 Things You Should Never, Ever Post Online, According to Psychologists originally appeared on Parade. While the internet is a place filled with pleasant things like videos of puppies and cooking tutorials, it's also rife with negativity, and the stats prove it. According to Statista, a March 2024 survey of over 7,000 people found that 22% of participants said that they have had a 'somewhat negative' experience on social media, with 12% saying 'very negative.' And as Pew Research Center reported in 2021, 41% of U.S. adults have experienced some form of online harassment. 25% of those experienced "more severe behaviors online."The internet is also a medium where information flows freely, and lives there for years, typically forever, in many cases. With all that said, what are some ways that you can protect yourself and your mental health online? And still enjoy everything else that the internet has to offer? Psychologists tell Paradeseven things or post online, so you can do just Experts Warn Back-to-School Pictures Can Be Unsafe for Kids—What Parents Need To Know Why Should People Be Careful About What They Post Online? Psychologist, cautions that posting online can open the door to potential controversy, criticism, harassment and misunderstanding.'I would recommend that you read what you are about to post and ask yourself, 'Why am I sharing this?' before you post,' she says. ''How will I feel about myself if I receive a response to this that is negative or hurtful?''Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby—founder of Growing Self, host of theLove, Happiness and Success Podcast, a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist and board-certified coach—says that posting online is also about 'relationship management.''It can be so tempting to fire off random posts, comments and even jokes that you find incredibly funny," she explains. "But just like how things don't always land the same way when you text them, it's very easy to be deeply misunderstood by people on the other side of the app. People will make judgments about you, especially when they don't know you very well.' 'People snoop,' she adds, and echoes the thoughts of Dr. Tran: 'It's wise to run every 'Should I post this?' through the filter of whether you'd be happy for a prospective employer or prospective first date to know about it.' In general, protecting yourself online can lead to a stronger and better level of mental health. Related: Here's Exactly How To Remove Your Address and Phone Number from Google Search 7 Things You Should Never Post Online, According to Psychologists 1. Personal information As Dr. Tran says, don't post personal information online because 'it can make you a target for identity theft, stalking or scams.' This includes things like your passwords, log-in information and financial details. 2. Real-time locations To protect yourself and your property, as Dr. Bobby says, don't post your location in real time. This includes Facebook, where you can indicate your current location, and Instagram, where you can post a quick story and show exactly where you are. 3. Health information Although in some cases it's admirable to be authentic and vulnerable as you share personal health hurdles online, it's important to think before you post. Dr. Bobby recommends that, in general, delicate health information should really only be shared with trusted people in your life, not the internet. Before you post, think about why you're posting. Also, if you think that this health information could be used against you in any way, don't post. 4. Sensitive mental health struggles This also goes for sensitive mental health struggles. Again, it's commendable that you're willing to put yourself out there if you're dealing with things such as depression and anxiety, and people are talking about their mental health more than ever before, which can help remove stigma. But Dr. Bobby points out that this could potentially be used against you in a variety of contexts, 'and you can't get rid of it,' she adds.'Even if you're feeling much better in a couple of years, someone researching you could come to negative conclusions about who you are and what you're capable of,' she says. Once more, it's important to consider the why before posting. If you want to fully live in your truth and be transparent about your mental health struggles, that's your choice to make, and you may not worry about what people online think about them. 5. Inappropriate photos Dr. Tran says that posting 'inappropriate or embarrassing photos' can't be undone once they're out there, and you never know what the consequence might be. That's why it's also important to really think before you send them to someone confidentially. But you definitely don't want to post it online (even if your account is private, because anyone can save it or screenshot it). 6. Information about others Forgo posting information and photos of other people and/or your kids.'If you want to post something about someone else, always get their explicit consent,' Dr. Bobby says. 'Otherwise, be aware that you could be sharing things about them that they really, really don't want to have posted. And know that there may be some things that upset them that would surprise you, having to do with their complicated relationships with other people in their social network that you don't know anything about.' Also, as Dr. Tran notes, don't post private conversations in which the other person didn't provide their consent. Related: Thinking About Taking a Social Media Break? Here Are 10 Things That Happen When You Quit Social Media 7. Hateful speech or threats Dr. Tran says that hateful speech or threats, besides being harmful, can damage your reputation. How Should People Guard Themselves and Their Mental Health Online? Now that you know the big 'no-nos' to never post online, how else can you protect your mental health?First of all, Dr. Tran suggests reducing the time you spend on online platforms. She also recommends taking occasional social media 'vacations,' reducing exposure to negative content that causes stress, anxiety or negative comparisons and reminding yourself not to take unhelpful comments personally."Don't associate your personal value with your social media account,' she Dr. Bobby says that it's key to practice self-awareness while online.'Pay attention to what feels triggering, negative or upsetting to you, and then set boundaries accordingly,' she recommends. The internet does have powers that can be used for good. As Dr. Tran says, you can turn to social media as a tool to help you grow or contribute to a cause that is meaningful to you, instead of a means for validation or social status. 'Taking regular breaks from social media and tracking the amount of time you spend scrolling or watching content can help you see the real impact it is having on you,' she recommends. 'Decide on the amount of time per day you will spend on it and stick with it even if it means that you have to use a timer so that you have time to enjoy and experience life outside of online platforms.' Up Next:Sources: Dr. Shannon Tran, PhD, psychologist. Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist and board-certified coach. 7 Things You Should Never, Ever Post Online, According to Psychologists first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
