The Shift With Sam Baker

The Shift With Sam Baker focuses on amplifying women's voices in midlife and beyond, exploring themes of identity, aging, personal growth, societal expectations, and the challenges and experiences unique to women over 40. It includes conversations with notable figures, personal reflections, cultural commentary, and recommendations for books, podcasts, and media.

Women's Issues Aging Career Transition Personal Growth Fashion and Beauty Health and Well-being Literature and Media Societal Expectations Feminism Mental Health

The hottest Substack posts of The Shift With Sam Baker

And their main takeaways

Not a morning person

19 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. The author used to be an early riser but was not necessarily a morning person, highlighting the difference between the two.
  2. The routine of waking up early and rushing out the door for work is described in detail, showcasing the author's previous morning habits.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating that some content on the platform may require a subscription to access.

On learning to grow

19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Gardening Personal Growth Allergies
  1. Gardening can be a fulfilling hobby even if you're new to it. It's never too late to start growing plants and enjoying the process.
  2. Gender stereotypes may have influenced your interests in the past, but it's important to challenge and explore new activities that bring you joy.
  3. Past negative experiences shouldn't define your current preferences. It's alright to reassess and find new appreciation for things you once disliked.

Struggling with perimenopause?

19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Healthcare Women's issues
  1. The UK government's response to menopause in the workplace may not be supportive for women over 40, regardless of background.
  2. The delayed response to the Women and Equalities Committee Report on Menopause and the Workplace highlighted a lack of enthusiasm from the government.
  3. The Shift With Sam Baker publication discusses important issues like menopause support in the workplace, for which one must be a paid subscriber to access.

All* of my friends are ending their marriages

3 HN points • 18 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Marriage Gender Society
  1. Many women in their mid-40s to late-50s are reconsidering their marriages, feeling unsure about spending the next decades as they are.
  2. In certain traditional marriages, the bulk of domestic and emotional labor falls on the women, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and underappreciated.
  3. The decision to end a marriage is sometimes met with assumptions and judgments, like accusations of finding someone else, even when that isn't the case.

How would you mark turning 50?

19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Age Media
  1. Gwyneth Paltrow celebrated turning 50 by having her naked self spray-painted gold, which was strictly for herself and not for the public eye.
  2. Rather than throwing a wild party or indulging in treats, Gwyneth chose a unique and private way to mark her milestone age.
  3. Gwyneth's unconventional way of celebrating highlights the importance of embracing oneself and aging gracefully.
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I’ve been on a diet (almost) my whole life

19 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Dieting Body Image Weight Loss Self-Acceptance
  1. The author has spent a large part of their life on a diet, feeling pressure to lose weight, dating back to childhood and teenage years.
  2. The societal influence on body image and diet culture started early for the author, impacting their perception of self-image and leading to disordered eating habits.
  3. Working in the fashion industry intensified the author's struggles with body image, but the root of their dieting habits trace back to societal norms and personal experiences from childhood.

Surprise, surprise! The menopause backlash is here

0 implied HN points • 11 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Feminism Media
  1. The menopause movement has been gaining momentum over the past couple of years and is now experiencing a backlash.
  2. In 2020, there was a surge of outspokenness around menopause in various forms of media like books, podcasts, and social media.
  3. The mainstream media made some attempts to address menopause advocacy in 2020, but the movement continued to grow and gain attention.

11 books I'm excited to read this Spring

0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
📚 Literature Books
  1. Enjoy reading books during the Spring, it's a great way to spend your free time.
  2. Explore different themes in books like romantic love, loneliness, envy, grief, and decision-making.
  3. Consider becoming a subscriber to support content creators and receive new posts.

50 looks as many different ways as there are women, so why don't we see them?

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion Beauty
  1. Different women have unique styles and looks, but society doesn't always appreciate or showcase this diversity.
  2. There can be backlash and judgment directed towards women in the public eye, based on their fashion choices and appearance.
  3. Ageism and criticism often play a role in how women are perceived, especially when it comes to their clothing and style choices.

October Bookclub reveal

0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
📚 Literature Bookclub Subscribers
  1. The Shift Bookclub revealed their October pick, offering a free copy and a recap of the previous month's Bookclub Live.
  2. The current bookclub selection is a dark family drama, suitable for fans of 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng and 'Big Little Lies' by Lianne Moriarty.
  3. To access the full post and subscribe, readers must be paid subscribers to The Shift With Sam Baker.

May bookclub reveal

0 implied HN points • 12 May 23
📚 Literature Bookclub Book review
  1. The Shift Bookclub's May reveal features a character named Big Swiss, described as tall, blonde, Swiss, all in white, and a dog lover.
  2. The story involves a transcriber named Greta who imagines meeting Big Swiss until a chance encounter in a park changes everything.
  3. The book is praised for being funny, inventive, sexy, and is being adapted into a TV series by HBO featuring Jodie Comer.

I've forgotten how to pack

0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
🏝 Travel Experience Packing Destinations
  1. The author forgot how to pack when leaving the country after four years, and this led to excess technology.
  2. The author reflects on not having left the UK since November 2018 and the reasons behind previous trips.
  3. The post from The Shift With Sam Baker is for paid subscribers, encouraging support for the author's work.

"You're old, you sag, get over it!"

0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Personal Stories Representation
  1. The Golden Girls TV show characters were younger than expected, challenging common perceptions of aging.
  2. Watching nostalgic shows like The Golden Girls can bring comfort and remind us of simpler times.
  3. The theme of aging and life stages explored in The Golden Girls can resonate with viewers at different points in their own lives.

My new year's resolution? No more trying

0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Reflection
  1. The author's new year's resolution is to stop trying and move away from the pressure of feeling like they 'should' do things.
  2. Growing up, the concept of being a 'trier' was often praised, but the author reflects on society's focus on winning rather than just trying.
  3. Being a 'trier' has always been seen as making an effort, but the author questions the significance of this mantra for life.

What is a scary woman?

0 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Identity Society Feminism
  1. Being called a "scary woman" can bring up different reactions and emotions, even if it doesn't align with how you see yourself.
  2. There's a distinction between actually being scary and being perceived as scary, which can impact how women are viewed and treated.
  3. Questioning what it truly means to be labeled as a "scary woman" can lead to insights on societal expectations and biases towards women.

Has Hollywood finally realised women don't vanish at 40?

0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Representation Women
  1. Hollywood seems to be acknowledging the presence and talent of women over 40, with three women over 60 winning a Golden Globe recently.
  2. The representation of women in midlife and beyond in the media has historically been lacking, but there are hopes for positive change.
  3. Visibility and diversity in media are essential, and the recognition of older women in the industry is a step in the right direction.

Conversations with women (over 40): Abi Morgan

0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎙 Podcasts Interview Memoir Entertainment
  1. Abi Morgan, an Emmy-winning screenwriter, has a powerful memoir about love, trauma, and hope.
  2. Writing became a way for Abi Morgan to find comfort, process her experiences, and regain control during chaos.
  3. The pivotal moment in Abi Morgan's life, when her partner collapsed from a seizure, marked a significant before and after in their lives.

Is the midlife conversation about to stall?

0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Midlife Women Society
  1. The conversation around midlife is evolving and gaining more attention, with increasing representation in media and literature.
  2. There has been significant progress in shifting the narrative around middle-aged women and menopause, despite initial skepticism from some publishers.
  3. Older women are starting to have a stronger presence in various aspects of society, indicating a positive shift in societal perceptions.

Leonardo DiCaprio and the dating double-standard

0 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Relationships
  1. Leonardo DiCaprio has a pattern of dating much younger women, which has led to jokes about his 'under-25 club'.
  2. His recent girlfriend, Camila Morone, was 20 when they started dating, and they broke up when she turned 25.
  3. Despite his own aging, the age gap with his girlfriends has remained consistent over the years.

What's got my attention this week #2

0 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Health & Wellness Women's issues Parenting
  1. Consider doing things for the sake of doing them, rather than to achieve specific goals.
  2. Making and maintaining friendships as an introvert can be rewarding, and rekindling old friendships is valuable.
  3. Exploring topics like the sexual needs of the bereaved, embracing motherhood over 40, and respecting parent's wishes amidst cognitive decline can offer new perspectives.

Will we ever be glad to be grey?

0 implied HN points • 19 May 22
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. The author struggles with the decision of letting their hair go gray and the emotional impact it has on their self-image.
  2. The process of embracing gray hair led the author to experiment with different styles and makeup choices.
  3. The post highlights the complex and sometimes irrational relationships people have with their hair.

“She’s begging for total global humiliation... She’s gonna get it”

0 implied HN points • 26 May 22
🎭️ Culture Media Celebrity Society
  1. The post discusses how the witch hunt against Amber Heard is regressing attitudes towards domestic violence.
  2. The author expresses frustration with the excessive coverage and sensationalism of the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial.
  3. Memes have started circulating around the trial, creating a bizarre and sometimes insensitive environment around serious issues.

Conversations with women (over 40): Katherine May

0 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🎙 Podcasts Conversations Interview Midlife Burnout Meaning-making
  1. Katherine May talks about burnout, meaning-making, and her midlife autism diagnosis, sharing why she believes there is a lack of wonder in society.
  2. The conversation covers Katherine May's experience of somatic illnesses and the impact they can have on daily life.
  3. The podcast with Katherine May on The Shift is popular, with a transcript available for those who prefer reading over listening.

It’s that Bikini Body BS time of year again

0 implied HN points • 23 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Body Image
  1. The post addresses the harmful Bikini Body culture and the pressure to look a certain way, emphasizing the wasted time and energy in this pursuit.
  2. It highlights the impact of societal expectations on body image at different ages, indicating that the pressure and self-criticism continue over the years.
  3. The post reflects on the absurdity of investing so much mental and emotional energy into worrying about one's physical appearance, as humorously described in a quote from Emma Thompson.

The world needs romcoms more than ever

0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Movies Entertainment
  1. The entertainment industry is seeing a resurgence in romcoms with stars like Cameron Diaz coming out of retirement to act in them, showing that there is a demand for these feel-good movies.
  2. Romcoms offer an escape from the real world's chaos and difficulties, providing audiences with a much-needed break and a chance to immerse themselves in heartwarming stories.
  3. The popularity of romcoms signals that now, more than ever, people are craving the comfort and joy that these light-hearted, romantic comedies bring to their lives.

The joy of 56

0 implied HN points • 14 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Happiness Emotions
  1. Understanding happiness can come at any age, sometimes even from unexpected sources like children's movies.
  2. It's never too late to grasp concepts and feelings like joy, even if it takes time to fully embrace and comprehend them.
  3. Personal reflections on birthdays can lead to deeper insights and realizations about one's emotions and experiences.