Interviews & Essays -

Womaness Woman:
Monica Corcoran Harel

The New York Times writer making waves for women over forty

By Womaness Editors     2-Minute Read

Womaness Woman Monica Corcoran HarelAs a New York Times writer, Monica Corcoran Harel knows culture—and knows it's time for culture to start seeing women over forty for what they really are, which is just getting started. That's why she launched multi-media platform PRETTY RIPE, covering topics like beauty, style, sex, personal development, menopause, wellness, and career pivots for women who know their best years are still ahead. 

 

First thing I do each morning 

"Make strong coffee and pretend to meditate, which is an ongoing existential struggle that kind of cancels out the whole point of meditating. Sigh."

 

Three things I always keep in/on my nightstand  

"A great book, a glass of water, and my vitamin D gummy worms."

 

My go-to beauty hack or wellness ritual 

"Fact: every mascara formula goes a bit gunky after a month. When my mascara gets thick, I add two drops of saline solution to the tube and gently swirl the wand. Miracle!"

 

"Fact: every mascara formula goes a bit gunky after a month. When my mascara gets thick, I add two drops of saline solution to the tube and gently swirl the wand. Miracle!"

 

My inner age (the age I really feel) and why

"I feel 23 because middle age—at 53—feels like the beginning of my life all over again. I have the same excitement about what's next that I did when I was just starting my career. And this time around, I'm not hungover or hung up on my looks."

 

Advice I would give to my younger self

"Laugh at yourself more often and call in sick to work—once or twice—when you're not sick at all."

 

We don’t believe in “The Pause.” Tell us, what are you not pausing on? 

"Making new friends. I will ask a woman I meet randomly for her number if we connect, even for a moment, and then follow up. I have slid into the DMs of interesting women, who are now friends."

 

Word that best describes your Womaness

Ripeness.

 

More Interviews & Essays

Womaness Woman: Gabriella Becchina
Womaness Woman: Jacquette M. Timmons
Womaness Woman: Amy Schmidt

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