Loneliness has been shown to have a health impact comparable to smoking many cigarettes a day. Not a typo.

In this episode — part of Monique van Tulder’s SPACE framework series — she explores why community and connection are critical to healthy ageing, wellbeing and longevity, particularly for midlife women.

She talks about being an introvert masquerading as someone who loves people, why building your tribe now requires deliberate effort in a world that no longer provides it automatically, and what the Okinawan moai can teach us about ageing well.

Also in this episode: the architecture of connection, navigating family relationships that don’t always fill your cup, and why your future self will thank you for making the call you’ve been putting off.

One action. One person. One date. That’s it.

For women navigating the Sandwich Generation — and anyone who keeps meaning to reach out once life “calms down”.

Friends really do make the world go round.

Additional Resources:

• Your SPACE Prescription - Anti Guilt Calculator
• Free Weekly Newsletter
• Dear Blokes Downloadable
• Setting Boundaries That Stick - checklist
• 52 Ideas for YOUR Version of A Grown Up's Gap Year

📚 Get your copy of A Grown Up’s Gap Year the book, from Amazon, moniquevantulder.com, bookshops and libraries, subscribe to the podcast, and take the first step toward your own A Grown Up’s Gap Year.

• Monique's LinkedIn
• Monique's Instagram