Why I decided to create an app when I turned 50.

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be creating an emotional support app in my fifties, I would have laughed. Apps were for tech bros in hoodies, not women like me—teachers, mothers, caregivers, creatives, women who’ve lived a whole lot of life.

But here I am, working on Calmish, an app designed to help women like me feel less alone and more supported. So why now? Why in midlife? Here are five reasons.

1. Life doesn’t stop at 50... it shifts.

At this stage of life, we’re often navigating perimenopause, empty nests, aging parents, career transitions, or all of the above. For me, it was the realisation that I wanted to create something that mattered, something beyond my job. I didn’t want to just “get through” this season. I wanted to build.

2. I couldn’t find the support I needed.

When life felt overwhelming, I turned to journaling and even AI chats for comfort. And surprisingly, I found myself feeling heard. But nothing out there truly captured the warmth, the humor, and the realness of midlife struggles. So I thought ,why not make the thing I was searching for?

3. I finally gave myself permission to dream again.

So much of midlife can feel like it’s about responsibility, holding everything together for everyone else. But at some point, you realize: If not now, when? Building an app was my way of giving myself permission to pursue a dream, even one that felt a little crazy at first.

4. Technology isn’t just for the young.

There’s a stereotype that tech startups are only for 20-somethings in Silicon Valley. But women in midlife bring something powerful: perspective. We’ve lived through enough to know what actually matters. And honestly? The world needs more apps built from that kind of wisdom.

5. I want other women to feel held.

At the heart of Calmish is one simple truth: sometimes, we just need a safe space to unload. No judgment, no pressure, just a warm, intelligent response when you’re struggling. If this app can help even one woman feel a little lighter, it will have been worth it.

Final Thoughts

Starting something new at 50 can feel intimidating, but it’s also incredibly freeing. Calmish is my way of saying: we’re not done yet. We’re just getting started.