Written and published during COVID quarantine, Midlife features the collected works of former members of the Gateway, the student newspaper at the University of Alberta. This crew of 27 writers and creators from the late 1990s/early 2000s now find themselves navigating midlife, and it turns out adulting isn’t necessarily as straightforward as anyone imagined.

Midlife will take you through personal reflections from the word-nerds. Topics range from paths not taken, self-discovery, growth, ambition, infertility, family illness, parenthood, and health. Like the Gateway of the past, you will find a variety of sharp formats and takes offering a diverse Canadian perspective on midlife.

First and foremost, Midlife is a passion project fuelled by the desire to reclaim our creativity, particularly in a time when our lives feel like they are narrowing. It’s a labour of love via reunion of friends from a student newspaper, and a gift to each other and the community, during a time when connection is more important than ever.

Sarah Chan's profile page

Jhenifer Pabillano's profile page

Sarah Chan is a musician, teacher, writer, social advocate, and mother of two based in Edmonton. She wrote for the Gateway Arts & Entertainment section from 1998 to 2002, primarily covering Classical & Opera. She only wrote a few opinion pieces which is strange, because Sarah is highly opinionated. She loves her COVID dog, Jasper, and is continually working on her yogi aspirations.

Jhenifer Pabillano was once a Gateway News Editor (2001–2003) and the Alberta bureau chief for Canadian University Press (2002–2003). She earned a masters degree in journalism from UBC and is now a project manager with the City of Vancouver. She contains multitudes and knows you do too.