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Show Up for Yourself This Spring
Thanks for joining The Ethel Spring Forward Challenge, designed to help members of the Ethel community step outside their comfort zones and embrace personal growth.
Weekly Themes
Check back here every Sunday to see your challenges for the upcoming week. We’re so excited to have you join us! You’re encouraged to try as many activities as you'd like, whether that’s just one or both of them (plus a bonus challenge!). The goal is progress, not perfection! Every step counts.
Spring Forward with this Week’s Activities:
Week 1: Blooming Beginnings
As the seasons change, so do we. Spring reminds us that there’s always time to build a life you love and grow anew. This week’s theme, Blooming Beginnings, is all about easing into that growth with simple changes, reconnections, and gratitude. Let’s start this challenge off strong and open-minded to see what blooms!
1. Try a new type of tea, coffee, or snack you haven't tasted before.
Explore without overcommitting. Even switching things up in a small way is a nice step towards expanding your comfort zone and feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Tip: Ask friends, family members or fellow participants in the closed Facebook group for their top recommendation. Still unsure? Combine the new with something familiar to make trying the new flavor easier.
2. Reach out to a friend you haven’t heard from in months.
As time passes, it can be easy to lose touch with loved ones, and sometimes taking the first step feels hard. Send a casual message through text, email, or social media, acknowledge the time that's gone by, and give a quick update on your life.
Tip: Acknowledge the gap without guilt. Something as simple as, “I was just thinking of you. How have you been?” feels genuine, kind and the perfect way to reconnect.
BONUS: Begin a gratitude journal
Write down one thing you're grateful for each day. Even small moments matter; practicing gratitude can transform your perspective.
For frequently asked questions, like how to join the chat, scroll down to the FAQ section on this page.
You’re Not Doing This Alone
The real magic of this challenge? The women doing it alongside you.
Inside our Private Facebook group, you can:
- Share wins (big or small)
- Ask questions or get encouragement
- See how others are stepping forward
You’re Not Doing This Alone
The real magic of this challenge? The women doing it alongside you.
Inside our Private Facebook group, you can:
- Share wins (big or small)
- Ask questions or get encouragement
- See how others are stepping forward
You’re Not Doing This Alone
The real magic of this challenge? The women doing it alongside you.
Inside our Private Facebook group, you can:
- Share wins (big or small)
- Ask questions or get encouragement
- See how others are stepping forward
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Your Chance to Win While You Grow
Enter for a Chance to Win The Ethel Prize Bundle, including Sunglasses, Tumbler, Tote and more!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal U.S. residents 18+. Ends Friday, May 8th, 11:59 PM Eastern Time. See Official Rules for details.
FAQ
To join The Ethel Challenge Facebook group community:
Step 1: Log in using your Facebook account.
Step 2: Click this Facebook group link and press “Join Group” to request access to the community.
It’s that simple! All of the members of the Facebook group will be participating in the Challenge along with you.
No, The Ethel Spring Forward Challenge is completely free. You only need an aarp.org account to sign up. There is no cost to create an account, and an AARP membership is not required.
No, an AARP membership is not required. You only need an aarp.org account to sign up, and creating an account is free.
You will receive your first Challenge email on April 5th, 2026. After that, you’ll receive weekly challenge emails on Sundays through May 3rd, plus discussion prompts in The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, in which you can connect and share with other women also doing the Challenge. At the end of the pilot, we would love to gather your feedback and details on your experience through an emailed survey.
Each Sunday until May 3rd, you’ll receive two new tasks designed to help you step outside your comfort zone and stimulate personal growth. But don’t feel as though you have to do it all. Completing even one task takes you one step further outside your comfort zone.
Connect with other participants in The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, where you can share your experience via posts and comments.
A mix of both, so you can participate in what fits your lifestyle best. Every Sunday, we will email you with two activities. But don’t feel as though you have to do both – pick what works for you. Completing even one task takes you one step further outside your comfort zone. Share your success on your social channels, challenge friends to also participate, and connect with other participants in The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, a friendly space for sharing experiences and encouragement.
Yes, we aim to provide a mix of activities for women from all walks of life. Every Sunday, we will email you with two activities; choose whichever your body is comfortable with completing. Completing even one task takes you one step further outside your comfort zone. You’ll also have access to The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, a friendly virtual space for sharing experiences and encouragement.
Throughout this pilot program, we hope to provide a variety of activities suitable for women from all walks of life. You can modify to fit your goals and intentions for this challenge. Completing even one task takes you one step further outside your comfort zone. You can see how other participants complete their challenges in The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, a friendly virtual space for sharing experiences and encouragement.
Learn more about The Ethel Spring Forward Sweepstakes and sign up with the official entry form here: The Ethel Spring Forward Challenge Sweepstakes
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends Friday, May 8th, 11:59 PM Eastern Time. See Official Rules for details.
Show us how you're showing up for yourself this Spring! For a chance to be featured on our website or newsletter, look out for a Docusign photo release form in your registration confirmation email. This form allows us to feature photos you post in The Ethel Challenge Facebook group, onto The Ethel website, newsletter, and other social media platforms — only with your consent!
If you experience issues, please reach out to aarpethel@aarp.org for assistance.
If you have trouble logging into your AARP.org account to sign up, please try the following steps:
- Try resetting your password.
- Clear your cookies and cache, and ensure your browser is up to date.
- Close and reopen your browser and try logging in again.
If you continue to experience issues, email aarpethel@aarp.org for assistance.
Find Friendship & Community
The Ethel Community supports and celebrates women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond through our Social Groups. Find the one that suits you best or join them all!
Local Gathering Groups
Meet new friends in your area or virtually. Or start a new Ethel Gathering Group near you!
The Ethel Circle
Join other women in the convo on navigating aging. Uplift each other and break stereotypes.
Ethel On-the-Go
Join a like-minded community of travelers who prove you're never too old for adventure.