Latest news with #ArleneDickinson
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm single by choice at 42. For some women, prioritizing yourself can be 'beautiful, joyful and full' without a partner
I'm 42 — and have been single for most of my life. I've always loved travelling solo, diving into hobbies and genuinely enjoying my own company. But for a long time, that fact felt more shameful than empowering. I wondered if it meant I had somehow fallen behind in life, or worse, that something was wrong with me for choosing a life on my own. But that shame has shifted. Now, more than ever, women in their 40s and beyond are embracing singlehood — not as a default or failure, but as a conscious, fulfilling choice. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, the number of people aged 35 to 44 living alone has doubled from just five per cent in 1981 to 10 per cent in 2021. While the divorce rate continues to hover around 40 per cent, what's also rising is the number of women who have never been married. Back in 1981, only 10.5 per cent of women aged 30 to 34 and 6.3 per cent of women aged 55 to 59 had never tied the knot. By 2011, those numbers had grown significantly, reaching 43.4 per cent and 11.2 per cent, respectively. Singlehood, it turns out, isn't about lacking love — it can be about choosing yourself. As Arlene Dickinson, host of Arlene is Alone, puts it: 'I haven't chosen to be single as a rejection of love. I've chosen it as an act of self-respect and discovery. ... This stage of my life is about something else. It's about choosing myself. It's about recognizing that I don't need to be defined by partnership to live fully and feel deeply. Single, to me, means sovereign. It means whole. It means living with clarity and conviction about who I am and how I want to move through the world.' So, what's behind this shift? According to psychiatrist and couples therapist Dr. Kathryn Ford, several cultural and personal factors are at play for those over 50: 'Many things have changed that contribute to this. Among them are women's increasing financial independence, the increased acceptability of divorce and both genders thinking more about what they want in the second half of life, especially after the kids leave.' Ford notes that for many people over 50, embracing singlehood isn't necessarily about opting out of love — it's about moving toward something healthier. 'No one really 'considers singledom' at age 50 and beyond separate from the decision to end a relationship,' she says. 'Rather, they open themselves to singledom as a better way forward. They may be hiding from or avoiding doing the hard work of building and/or repairing a relationship. This includes having the courage and humility to look at themselves and the learning they need to do.' For some women, that path toward singlehood becomes less about what they're leaving behind and more about what they're gaining. It's a message echoed by 'Thrive Solo' podcast host Lucy Meggeson. 'Like most other women, I assumed I'd end up getting married and having kids. But the truth is that over the last seven years of being single, it's dawned on me more and more that I prefer both myself and my life when I'm single,' the author notes. 'I seem to be a better version of me when I'm alone, more focused on my own achievements and far more interested in actively following my dreams.' For Meggeson, there's independence, peace and an opportunity for both personal growth and development that comes with remaining single: 'There are just so many underrated benefits that never get acknowledged or celebrated, but they absolutely should.' When it comes to what she enjoys most about being single at this stage in life, Dickinson's thoughts are similar. 'There's a freedom in it that's hard to explain unless you've lived it,' she says. 'A freedom to think, to create, to stretch into new spaces without shrinking yourself. For years, I prioritized partnership, family, caregiving — all of which I'm proud of. But now, I get to prioritize myself. ... There's a power in discovering that your life can be beautiful, joyful and full without needing someone else to complete the picture.' That's not to say singlehood is without its challenges, especially when it comes to being alone. But Ford emphasizes that this phase of life can offer profound rewards: 'Embrace being single as a time with very different opportunities than you have when in a couple.' She encourages taking the necessary time to heal and reflect after a major relationship ends, and allowing what comes next to unfold naturally. 'When loneliness is painful, know that it, like everything, is a passing phenomenon,' Ford says. 'Comfort yourself and also remember to stay connected to friends.' She also reminds people that while others may be curious about your relationship status, 'you don't have to become someone's project. Share what you want to, and protect what you don't.' Dickinson adds that when those feelings of loneliness creep up, they are not something to fear. In fact, it can be an enriching time of self-discovery: 'Loneliness is a hunger for connection. Being alone is a state of independence. I've felt much lonelier in some relationships I've been in than I ever have in solitude. Being alone, when you choose it and own it, can be a source of deep clarity. It creates space for your own voice to rise. And for women especially, whose lives are often built around others, that can be transformational.' For Meggeson, being single in midlife has led to a new fulfilling life and career helping other women embrace their own single status. 'What I love most about being single now is that I truly know who I am, and I finally understand that happiness was never about a partner or a baby, it was always about me,' she says. 'If I'm single forever, I know I'll still be happy, because I've learned how to cultivate joy from within.' Her advice? Look inward and work on your personal views toward being single. 'Life is life. Whether you're single or married, neither path shields you from joy or sorrow. It's not about relationship status. It's about what's going on between your ears.' And for those who might judge, Meggeson advises owning your story with confidence: 'If we shrink down and apologize for being single, we perpetuate the idea that it means being 'less than.' But if we take responsibility for building a fabulous life, people will think twice about their judgments. So when someone asks, 'Why are you still single?' try responding with, 'Did you know that single, childless women are the happiest demographic in society?' That usually shuts them up.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm single by choice at 42. For some women, prioritizing yourself can be 'beautiful, joyful and full' without a partner
I'm 42 — and have been single for most of my life. I've always loved travelling solo, diving into hobbies and genuinely enjoying my own company. But for a long time, that fact felt more shameful than empowering. I wondered if it meant I had somehow fallen behind in life, or worse, that something was wrong with me for choosing a life on my own. But that shame has shifted. Now, more than ever, women in their 40s and beyond are embracing singlehood — not as a default or failure, but as a conscious, fulfilling choice. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, the number of people aged 35 to 44 living alone has doubled from just five per cent in 1981 to 10 per cent in 2021. While the divorce rate continues to hover around 40 per cent, what's also rising is the number of women who have never been married. Back in 1981, only 10.5 per cent of women aged 30 to 34 and 6.3 per cent of women aged 55 to 59 had never tied the knot. By 2011, those numbers had grown significantly, reaching 43.4 per cent and 11.2 per cent, respectively. Singlehood, it turns out, isn't about lacking love — it can be about choosing yourself. As Arlene Dickinson, host of Arlene is Alone, puts it: 'I haven't chosen to be single as a rejection of love. I've chosen it as an act of self-respect and discovery. ... This stage of my life is about something else. It's about choosing myself. It's about recognizing that I don't need to be defined by partnership to live fully and feel deeply. Single, to me, means sovereign. It means whole. It means living with clarity and conviction about who I am and how I want to move through the world.' So, what's behind this shift? According to psychiatrist and couples therapist Dr. Kathryn Ford, several cultural and personal factors are at play for those over 50: 'Many things have changed that contribute to this. Among them are women's increasing financial independence, the increased acceptability of divorce and both genders thinking more about what they want in the second half of life, especially after the kids leave.' Ford notes that for many people over 50, embracing singlehood isn't necessarily about opting out of love — it's about moving toward something healthier. 'No one really 'considers singledom' at age 50 and beyond separate from the decision to end a relationship,' she says. 'Rather, they open themselves to singledom as a better way forward. They may be hiding from or avoiding doing the hard work of building and/or repairing a relationship. This includes having the courage and humility to look at themselves and the learning they need to do.' Both singledom and being in a major relationship are hard. The difficulties are just different on the two Kathryn Ford For some women, that path toward singlehood becomes less about what they're leaving behind and more about what they're gaining. It's a message echoed by 'Thrive Solo' podcast host Lucy Meggeson. 'Like most other women, I assumed I'd end up getting married and having kids. But the truth is that over the last seven years of being single, it's dawned on me more and more that I prefer both myself and my life when I'm single,' the author notes. 'I seem to be a better version of me when I'm alone, more focused on my own achievements and far more interested in actively following my dreams.' For Meggeson, there's independence, peace and an opportunity for both personal growth and development that comes with remaining single: 'There are just so many underrated benefits that never get acknowledged or celebrated, but they absolutely should.' When it comes to what she enjoys most about being single at this stage in life, Dickinson's thoughts are similar. 'There's a freedom in it that's hard to explain unless you've lived it,' she says. 'A freedom to think, to create, to stretch into new spaces without shrinking yourself. For years, I prioritized partnership, family, caregiving — all of which I'm proud of. But now, I get to prioritize myself. ... There's a power in discovering that your life can be beautiful, joyful and full without needing someone else to complete the picture.' That's not to say singlehood is without its challenges, especially when it comes to being alone. But Ford emphasizes that this phase of life can offer profound rewards: 'Embrace being single as a time with very different opportunities than you have when in a couple.' She encourages taking the necessary time to heal and reflect after a major relationship ends, and allowing what comes next to unfold naturally. 'When loneliness is painful, know that it, like everything, is a passing phenomenon,' Ford says. 'Comfort yourself and also remember to stay connected to friends.' She also reminds people that while others may be curious about your relationship status, 'you don't have to become someone's project. Share what you want to, and protect what you don't.' Dickinson adds that when those feelings of loneliness creep up, they are not something to fear. In fact, it can be an enriching time of self-discovery: 'Loneliness is a hunger for connection. Being alone is a state of independence. I've felt much lonelier in some relationships I've been in than I ever have in solitude. Being alone, when you choose it and own it, can be a source of deep clarity. It creates space for your own voice to rise. And for women especially, whose lives are often built around others, that can be transformational.' For Meggeson, being single in midlife has led to a new fulfilling life and career helping other women embrace their own single status. 'What I love most about being single now is that I truly know who I am, and I finally understand that happiness was never about a partner or a baby, it was always about me,' she says. 'If I'm single forever, I know I'll still be happy, because I've learned how to cultivate joy from within.' If you believe being single sucks, it will. But if you embrace all that's fabulous about it, it can be Meggeson Her advice? Look inward and work on your personal views toward being single. 'Life is life. Whether you're single or married, neither path shields you from joy or sorrow. It's not about relationship status. It's about what's going on between your ears.' And for those who might judge, Meggeson advises owning your story with confidence: 'If we shrink down and apologize for being single, we perpetuate the idea that it means being 'less than.' But if we take responsibility for building a fabulous life, people will think twice about their judgments. So when someone asks, 'Why are you still single?' try responding with, 'Did you know that single, childless women are the happiest demographic in society?' That usually shuts them up.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm single by choice at 42. For some women, prioritizing yourself can be 'beautiful, joyful and full' without a partner
I'm 42 — and have been single for most of my life. I've always loved travelling solo, diving into hobbies and genuinely enjoying my own company. But for a long time, that fact felt more shameful than empowering. I wondered if it meant I had somehow fallen behind in life, or worse, that something was wrong with me for choosing a life on my own. But that shame has shifted. Now, more than ever, women in their 40s and beyond are embracing singlehood — not as a default or failure, but as a conscious, fulfilling choice. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, the number of people aged 35 to 44 living alone has doubled from just five per cent in 1981 to 10 per cent in 2021. While the divorce rate continues to hover around 40 per cent, what's also rising is the number of women who have never been married. Back in 1981, only 10.5 per cent of women aged 30 to 34 and 6.3 per cent of women aged 55 to 59 had never tied the knot. By 2011, those numbers had grown significantly, reaching 43.4 per cent and 11.2 per cent, respectively. Singlehood, it turns out, isn't about lacking love — it can be about choosing yourself. As Arlene Dickinson, host of Arlene is Alone, puts it: 'I haven't chosen to be single as a rejection of love. I've chosen it as an act of self-respect and discovery. ... This stage of my life is about something else. It's about choosing myself. It's about recognizing that I don't need to be defined by partnership to live fully and feel deeply. Single, to me, means sovereign. It means whole. It means living with clarity and conviction about who I am and how I want to move through the world.' So, what's behind this shift? According to psychiatrist and couples therapist Dr. Kathryn Ford, several cultural and personal factors are at play for those over 50: 'Many things have changed that contribute to this. Among them are women's increasing financial independence, the increased acceptability of divorce and both genders thinking more about what they want in the second half of life, especially after the kids leave.' Ford notes that for many people over 50, embracing singlehood isn't necessarily about opting out of love — it's about moving toward something healthier. 'No one really 'considers singledom' at age 50 and beyond separate from the decision to end a relationship,' she says. 'Rather, they open themselves to singledom as a better way forward. They may be hiding from or avoiding doing the hard work of building and/or repairing a relationship. This includes having the courage and humility to look at themselves and the learning they need to do.' Both singledom and being in a major relationship are hard. The difficulties are just different on the two Kathryn Ford For some women, that path toward singlehood becomes less about what they're leaving behind and more about what they're gaining. It's a message echoed by 'Thrive Solo' podcast host Lucy Meggeson. 'Like most other women, I assumed I'd end up getting married and having kids. But the truth is that over the last seven years of being single, it's dawned on me more and more that I prefer both myself and my life when I'm single,' the author notes. 'I seem to be a better version of me when I'm alone, more focused on my own achievements and far more interested in actively following my dreams.' For Meggeson, there's independence, peace and an opportunity for both personal growth and development that comes with remaining single: 'There are just so many underrated benefits that never get acknowledged or celebrated, but they absolutely should.' When it comes to what she enjoys most about being single at this stage in life, Dickinson's thoughts are similar. 'There's a freedom in it that's hard to explain unless you've lived it,' she says. 'A freedom to think, to create, to stretch into new spaces without shrinking yourself. For years, I prioritized partnership, family, caregiving — all of which I'm proud of. But now, I get to prioritize myself. ... There's a power in discovering that your life can be beautiful, joyful and full without needing someone else to complete the picture.' That's not to say singlehood is without its challenges, especially when it comes to being alone. But Ford emphasizes that this phase of life can offer profound rewards: 'Embrace being single as a time with very different opportunities than you have when in a couple.' She encourages taking the necessary time to heal and reflect after a major relationship ends, and allowing what comes next to unfold naturally. 'When loneliness is painful, know that it, like everything, is a passing phenomenon,' Ford says. 'Comfort yourself and also remember to stay connected to friends.' She also reminds people that while others may be curious about your relationship status, 'you don't have to become someone's project. Share what you want to, and protect what you don't.' Dickinson adds that when those feelings of loneliness creep up, they are not something to fear. In fact, it can be an enriching time of self-discovery: 'Loneliness is a hunger for connection. Being alone is a state of independence. I've felt much lonelier in some relationships I've been in than I ever have in solitude. Being alone, when you choose it and own it, can be a source of deep clarity. It creates space for your own voice to rise. And for women especially, whose lives are often built around others, that can be transformational.' For Meggeson, being single in midlife has led to a new fulfilling life and career helping other women embrace their own single status. 'What I love most about being single now is that I truly know who I am, and I finally understand that happiness was never about a partner or a baby, it was always about me,' she says. 'If I'm single forever, I know I'll still be happy, because I've learned how to cultivate joy from within.' If you believe being single sucks, it will. But if you embrace all that's fabulous about it, it can be Meggeson Her advice? Look inward and work on your personal views toward being single. 'Life is life. Whether you're single or married, neither path shields you from joy or sorrow. It's not about relationship status. It's about what's going on between your ears.' And for those who might judge, Meggeson advises owning your story with confidence: 'If we shrink down and apologize for being single, we perpetuate the idea that it means being 'less than.' But if we take responsibility for building a fabulous life, people will think twice about their judgments. So when someone asks, 'Why are you still single?' try responding with, 'Did you know that single, childless women are the happiest demographic in society?' That usually shuts them up.'
Miami Herald
18-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Elevate Welcomes Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac to Advisory Board
Acclaimed entrepreneur and tech trailblazer join the team shaping Canada's leading innovation events TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 18, 2025 / Elevate, the non-profit organization behind Canada's most influential tech and innovation festival, is pleased to announce that Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac have joined its Advisory Board. Dickinson, Founder of District Ventures Capital and a longtime Dragon, is one of Canada's most respected entrepreneurs. Mac is a tech and media trailblazer, President of award-winning content development agency AmberMac Media. Elevate CEO and Co-Founder, Lisa Zarzenczny, welcomes these powerhouse leaders as the organization gears up for its seventh annual Elevate Festival (October 7-9, 2025) in Toronto, which will bring together over 250 speakers and 10,000 attendees from across the global tech community. This year's Main Stage will touch on applied AI to revolutionize customer experiences, autonomous transportation, and personalized health insights, among many other content themes and program offerings. The Festival has a track record of catalyzing hundreds of thousands of dollars in startup investments and leads in the industry in gender diversity. The organization also hosts CIX Summit and year-round Elevate Innovation programs to help Canadian founders build their businesses. "I've spent my life in venture capital and marketing helping entrepreneurs and organizations grow their businesses and their dreams," said Arlene Dickinson. "It's never been more important to support Canadian innovation and invest in our collective future. I'm happy to join Elevate to help advance this mission." "Elevate has made a significant impact in growing the local innovation ecosystem, and I'm proud to help them accelerate their next chapter," said Amber Mac. "Canada is emerging as an AI superpower but we need to work together to achieve a better digital future for all." Dickinson and Mac join current board members: Christopher Wein, Chief Operating Officer, Equiton Development;Debbie Gamble, Group Head, Strategy & Marketing, Interac;Gianluca Cairo, VP, Operations & Strategy, Ceridian;James Hicks, President & CEO, Moneris;Lisa Zarzeczny, Co-Founder & CEO, Elevate;Rizwan Khalfan, EVP, Canadian Personal Banking Digital, TD;Salim Teja, Partner, Radical Ventures. About Arlene Dickinson Arlene Dickinson is the Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a VC fund investing in innovative companies that are transforming the way we live and eat. She is widely recognized for her role as a Venture Capitalist on Dragons' Den, where she has starred for over 17 seasons, and is a three-time bestselling author. About Amber Mac Amber Mac is President of AmberMac Media, Inc., an award-winning content development agency, and host of The AmberMac Show podcast on SiriusXM. She was named one of DMZ's Women of the Year in 2024 and is a bestselling author of multiple books including the Amazon bestseller, Outsmarting Your Kids Online. About Elevate Elevate is a Canadian non-profit that unites world-class innovators to catalyze transformation in the Canadian tech ecosystem. Through year-round programs and events, including the annual Elevate Festival and CIX Summit, Elevate shines a spotlight on Canadian innovation, facilitates global connections with startups and investors, and inspires Canadians to embrace a go-for-gold mentality to help shape the future of the Canadian innovation economy. Media Contact:Amanda Connon-UndaSenior Director of Marketing, Elevateamanda@ SOURCE: Elevate
Cision Canada
09-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Balzac's Coffee Launches Canada's Cup Iced Maple Latte: A Patriotic Pour with Purpose
Limited-time offering celebrates Canada and the bounty of our resource-rich provinces TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Just in time for summer, Balzac's Coffee, a proudly 100% Canadian specialty coffee company, is launching a bold, limited-edition drink: the Canada's Cup Iced Maple Latte. This 16oz iced latte is made with Balzac's signature Fair Trade, organic espresso (roasted in Ontario), blended with water from the superior side of Lake Superior. It's topped with Canadian whipped cream, drizzled with Ontario maple syrup, and finished with a sprinkle of Vancouver Island sea salt — a refreshing tribute to Canadian flavours from coast to coast. The drink is served in a custom-engraved, Ontario-made recycled aluminum keepsake cup, complete with a Canadian-made softwood stir stick. Designed to keep its cool and built to last, it's a defiantly delicious drink made to be enjoyed with your elbows up. Balzac's Coffee is owned by District Ventures Capital, the venture capital fund of renowned Canadian investor and TV personality Arlene Dickinson. "Balzac's captures the best of Canada — connection, creativity, sustainability, and exceptional taste," says Dickinson. "Inspired by our love for all things maple and the growing need to buy homegrown goods, the Canada's Cup Iced Maple Latte captures the essence of our home and native land in every sip. It's our way of celebrating the Canadian summer — with sustainability and style in hand." Available starting June 9 in Balzac's cafés across Ontario, Canadians are invited to raise a cup to homegrown flavour with a drink that's as Canadian as coffee gets. About Balzac's Coffee Roasters Founded in 1993, Balzac's has built a strong legacy roasting specialty coffee for Canadians to enjoy across the country. Inspired by Honoré de Balzac's quote, "The café is the people's parliament," the 100% Canadian-owned and operated company is committed to sustainably sourced coffee and is available online, in retail stores nationwide, or at any of its 16 cafés across Ontario. To learn more, please visit
