Things I Care About More at 45
Than I Did at 26
Lessons on Life, Food, and Balance
At 26, I thought success looked a lot different than it does now.
I thought being busy meant I was doing something right.
I thought saying yes to everything would create opportunities.
I thought sleep was optional, coffee could solve anything, andcounted as a perfectly acceptable breakfast.
Now, at 45, with two busy middle school girls, a husband who travels frequently, a business to run, clients to cook for, and a household to manage, I’ve learned a few things.
Actually, I’ve unlearned a few things. Life feels a lot better because of it.
1. Sleep Is No Longer Negotiable
Twenty-six-year-old me could survive on very little sleep. Or at least I thought I could. Now I know better. Sleep affects everything. My patience. My mood. My creativity. My ability to handle a schedule that feels like a game of Tetris some weeks.
As a personal chef, I spend my days planning menus, managing timelines, shopping, cooking, creating recipes, photographing food, and running a business. By the time evening rolls around, I need my brain functioning—not running on fumes.
These days, quality sleep feels like a luxury. Not that I’m getting nine hours a night—I don’t think my body even knows what to do with nine hours anymore. Six is pretty normal for me, and if I get seven, I’m feeling downright spoiled.
The real win? I fall asleep almost immediately. No tossing and turning, no staring at the ceiling replaying conversations from three years ago. Head hits the pillow, and I’m out. At this stage of life, I consider that a superpower.
2. Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Respect
When I was younger, I thought boundaries were something you set when you were successful. Well, actually I probably didn’t even truely understand the word and how I could use it in my life.
Now I know boundaries are often what help create success in the first place.
As a business owner, there will always be another email. Another project. Another thing that feels urgent.
But when your husband travels, your kids need rides, dinner still has to happen, and your dog is staring at you waiting for a walk, there has to be a point where work ends and life begins.
I’m still working on this one.
Some days I do it well.
Some days I find myself answering emails, writing lists, imaging new recipes – while reheating leftovers and wondering why I’m exhausted.
But I’ve learned that protecting my time isn’t selfish. It’s necessary.
My favorite recipes!
3. Quality Over Quantity
This applies to almost everything now.
Friendships. Commitments. Food. Especially food.
As a personal chef, one of the biggest shifts I’ve made over the years is caring far more about ingredient quality than ingredient quantity.
I’d rather come home with a small bag of beautiful ingredients than a cart overflowing with highly processed convenience foods.
Not because I’m trying to be perfect. Far from it. But because I’ve seen firsthand how much better food tastes when you start with good ingredients. And because I want my family and my clients to feel their best.
A simple meal made with quality ingredients will beat an overly complicated meal every single time.
4. Energy Matters More Than Achievement
This one surprised me. When I was younger, I focused a lot on what I could accomplish. Now I pay more attention to how I feel while accomplishing it.
Do I have energy? Do I feel healthy? Am I enjoying my life?
Because what’s the point of checking every box if you’re completely exhausted when you get there?
I’ve learned that movement helps. Fresh air helps. Protein helps. Drinking water helps. Simple things that aren’t particularly exciting—but make a huge difference.
5. Simplicity Wins
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned, both as a mom and as a personal chef, is that life gets better when you stop trying to make everything complicated.
Dinner doesn’t have to be elaborate.
Your house doesn’t have to be perfect.
You don’t need a different meal every night.
You don’t need to do everything yourself.
Some of my family’s favorite meals are the simplest ones. And some of my happiest days are the least complicated. Funny how that works.
6. People Matter More Than Perfection
At 26, I worried a lot about getting things right. At 45, I care much more about connection.
The conversations around the dinner table. The clients I’ve cooked for over a decade. The relationships I’ve built through food. The moments that happen when someone takes a bite and says, “Wow.”
Those are the things I remember.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that life isn’t about doing more—it’s about being intentional with what matters most.
At 45, I care less about appearances and achievements and more about how I feel, how I spend my time, and who I spend it with.
Good food. Good sleep. Meaningful relationships. Healthy boundaries. Simplicity.
Those are the things I’m holding onto these days.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products that I link and reccommend them because they are high quality products that I trust.
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Thanks for being here! - Kat
Hi, I'm Kat.
Thanks for being here.
Hi, I’m Kat — a Colorado-based Personal Chef and the heart behind White Sparrow Food Company. As a business owner, a soccer Mom to two daughters and always being asked “What’s for dinner?” – I get the challenges of everyday life.
Here, I share the same easy, wholesome, gluten free recipes I cook for my clients, made simple for real life at home. All recipes that YOU can make in your kitchen.
Take a look around, get inspired, and stay awhile — I’m so happy you’re here.
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