Meet Kimberly Wilson, a creative entrepreneur finding tranquility in the everyday
I’m a psychotherapist, author, and creative entrepreneur based in Washington, DC who’s in love with my 50s. My mission is to inspire midlife women to find more beauty, balance, and tranquility in the everyday. I host the Tranquility du Jour podcast, Midlife Musings on Substack, and the Tranquility Coterie. I also serve as president of the Pigs & Pugs Project. I live in DC with my partner and our rescue pugs, where I draw inspiration from simple pleasures like a fragrant cup of tea and doing dégagés at my pink ballet barre.
I’m in the midst of:
Right now, I’m immersed in sharing my work and passion through Tranquility du Jour to support midlife women. I’m developing and refining digital courses, content, and offerings to nurture our journeys. I like to balance personal goals (ballet) and nurture my creative pursuits (new book) while deepening connections with my community. I see this season as one of reflection, reinvention, and setting intentions for my second half of life.
The best thing about my current age (51):
I’m 51 and have grown so much in midlife. Since turning 40, I’ve sold my 18-year-old business, opened a private psychotherapy practice, released four books, won first place in adult ballet competitions, and adopted three pugs. I’ve also navigated burnout and multiple losses, suffered injuries that led to surgeries (hello, hip replacement), and released an identity I held tight to create a new one. The best thing is returning to a childhood passion that’s led to performing on stages in tutus and tiaras!
The best thing I’ve done for myself in this stage of life:
Letting go of an identity I’d outgrown. For 18 years, I built and ran Tranquil Space, a yoga studio with two locations named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by Travel & Leisure. I thought I had the whole mind-body-spirit thing figured out until I finally admitted to myself that I couldn’t do it anymore. That’s a tough realization, especially when it affects a 100-person team, two commercial leases, and a sense of self.
However, I was broken and exhausted from years of juggling all the things. I also lost loved ones, which forced me to reevaluate what was most important and had to navigate an aging, injured body that demanded a slower pace.
After an arduous path to selling the yoga studios, I transitioned to a quieter life as a psychotherapist in private practice and kept other creative projects that aligned with Tranquility du Jour.
My current must-haves in life:
My emotional support piles of books. A water bottle at all times or I get anxious. Cozy layers of black clothing that stretch. Red lipstick. Senior pugs. Episodes of Orangutan Jungle School. The Tranquility du Jour community.
What brought you to The Midst?
I found The Midst while searching for midlife inspiration on Substack and was smitten. I recently attended the F#ck Middle Age virtual event and loved the thoughtful dialogue on women’s health, being in our prime, and beauty and wellness!
What do you want most for/from the community of women you surround yourself with?
I want to feel seen, heard, understood, supported, and appreciated—no big deal. Ha! I see life as a winding journey of self-expression, building connections, and, ideally, making a difference in the lives of all beings. My wish is that we leave the world a little brighter through our contributions while also listening to our deepest desires.
My Grown-Ass Lady heroes:
Anais Nin, Martha Stewart, Jane Goodall, Audrey Hepburn.
What progress do you hope to see in society for future generations of women?
For future generations of women, I hope to see progress in equality, empowerment, and the ability to lead fulfilling lives on their own terms! I envision a world with more women in leadership, greater access to education and resources, and a society where women’s voices are celebrated and valued. I hope for a future where women feel supported to live authentically, free from societal pressures, and encouraged to pursue their passions without regard for convention. You know, just a few things!
What’s next for you:
I’m in the process of writing a new book about the beauty (and challenges) of midlife, hosting Season 2 of the Tranquility du Jour podcast on all things midlife, writing a Substack called Midlife Musings, collaborating with my psychotherapy and coaching clients, and teaching virtually through my yearlong Coterie. I also see an in-person and virtual Salon for midlife women on the horizon!
