MSI Press Blog

Joanna Charnas’s  latest book,  100 Tips and Tools for Managing Chronic Illness,  recently came to my attention. This book is short and filled with tips and ideas.  Library Journal  calls it, “An excellent resource worthy of multiple reads. For those with a determined spirit during discouraging times.” Actually, after reading through the book, I think that most of us are “chronically human” and can benefit from most, if not all, of the suggestions. It would even by a nice Mother’s Day or birthday gift. Joanna has personal experience with chronic illness, have been ill for seventeen years before she learned it was a condition that had no cure. Following the publication of her first book, Joanna spent two years as a  Huffington Post blogger, and she currently writes articles for an international health website. Her first book,  Living Well With Chronic Illness,  was an American Book Fest Finalist in the “Health: Gener...

  Valentine’s Day in midlife is not for the faint of heart. It’s for the emotionally seasoned, the romantically resilient, and those who’ve learned to laugh through the weirdness. Here’s what you might encounter: 🥂 The “We Should Celebrate” Text Sent at 4:57 PM on February 14. From someone you dated twice in October. You reply “Sure!” and spend the evening Googling whether they’re still married. 🍝 The Restaurant Mishap You book a cozy Italian place. They book a trendy vegan spot. You both show up at different locations and spend the night texting “I’m here!” You end up eating cereal at home. It’s fine. You like cereal. 🧠 The Emotional Intelligence Olympics You say, “I don’t need anything fancy.” They say, “Great!” You secretly hoped for a handwritten note. They bring a Bluetooth speaker. You smile. You cry later. You journal. You grow. 🧥 The Wardrobe Crisis You try on 6 outfits. None say “I’m confident and emotionally available.” You settle on “I’m warm and I remembered deodora...

  There’s a myth floating around that chemistry is universal. That the flutter you felt at 22 is the same flutter you’ll feel at 52. This is adorable. And wrong. Midlife chemistry is a completely different species—like comparing a firecracker to a gas fireplace. Both produce heat, but only one requires reading the manual first. Here’s what “chemistry” looks like once you’ve lived a little. 1. The Slow‑Burn Spark In your 20s: You locked eyes across a room and felt an instant jolt. In midlife: You lock eyes across the room and think, “Do I know them from physical therapy?” Chemistry now is less lightning bolt, more warm ember. It builds. It simmers. It sneaks up on you while you’re discussing cholesterol numbers. And honestly, it’s better that way. 2. The Compatibility Check Happens Instantly In your 20s, chemistry was: “He’s cute.” In midlife, chemistry is: “He’s cute and he understands the concept of boundaries, uses coasters, and doesn’t think emotional labor is...

  First kisses in your 20s were impulsive. Spontaneous. A little reckless. You didn’t think about angles, lighting, or whether your neck would cooperate. Midlife first kisses? They’re a whole different genre—romantic comedy with a touch of physical therapy. Here’s why they’re unforgettable. 1. The Anticipation Is Better Than Ever In your 20s, a first kiss was exciting. In midlife, it’s electric —because you actually know what you like, what you don’t, and what you’re hoping for. You’re not kissing to see if you can. You’re kissing to see if you want to . And that difference is everything. 2. The “Reading Glasses Placement” Problem You lean in. They lean in. Your glasses lean in too. Suddenly you’re navigating: Nose angles Frame collisions The risk of poking someone in the eyebrow Midlife kissing requires choreography. It’s practically a contact sport. 3. The Breath Check Is Non‑Negotiable In your 20s, you kissed after pizza, coffee, or a questionable ni...