The Power of Starting Over in Midlife
Surviving Your Internal Rebirth, One Laugh at a Time
Picture me, cowering in the corner, terrified of the inevitable life change headed my way. And what did I do, you ask? I followed my fear, and BAM – got pregnant. If that isn’t diving headfirst into the unknown, I don’t know what is. So, here’s my advice: don’t let change scare you into making hasty decisions. Instead, take a deep breath, grab your (non-alcoholic) beverage of choice, and join me on this rollercoaster ride of navigating midlife changes.
Whether you’re teetering on the edge of forty or already halfway through your fifties, a common visitor many of us encounter during this time is Mr. Change (and spoiler alert: he’s not the tooth fairy). You know what I’m talking about – that feeling that something needs to budge, whether it’s your job, your wardrobe, or even your entire life. Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into discovering the power of starting over in midlife and embracing change like it’s the long-lost friend who always brings a good wine when they visit.
Before we dive into tips on how to deal with this sneaky friend called Change, let’s first talk about why even acknowledging its existence in our lives might feel super tough. Say it with me: “Fear. Of. The. Unknown.” Yep, it’s that age-old belief that whatever change we go through might not be as comfortable as what we’ve come to know. But you know what they say? The only constant in life is change. There, I said it. I know, I know – it’s scary, but it’s also crucial to remember for personal growth, especially now in our prime years.
Luckily, like any good friend who signed up to help you move but low-key hopes you cancel, I’ve got some practical and helpful tips to get you through this journey of change. And the best part? You don’t even have to do this alone.
Baby Steps, Baby
Just like your first attempts at riding a bike or swimming, the first step in embracing change is to take, well, baby steps. The key here is to make an outline of what you want to change and break it down into smaller, more manageable goals. Let’s say you want to switch careers. Instead of quitting your job, going all YOLO and backpacking across Asia (though major kudos if you do), start with researching careers that interest you, networking in similar industries, or even taking a few workshops to enhance your skills. And suddenly, change doesn’t feel like this scary monster lurking under your bed; it feels more like an adorable baby kitten ready to venture out into the world with you.
Phone a Friend
Remember lifelines from “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” Well, it’s time to call up those friends and practice our ‘Vanna White’ smile – the one who’s great advice helped you in ’01 or the one who rocks at motivational speeches because they think they’re Tony Robbins. Engaging with people who understand your journey can provide invaluable support in embracing change. Plus, talking to people who faced similar challenges will remind you that everyone encounters the friend of Change, and if they did it, so can you.
Give Yourself a (Self-Compassion) Hug
Starting over can be like walking barefoot on a bed of Legos. It’s tough (have you stepped on a Lego?). So here’s step three: be kind to yourself! Offer yourself the same compassion and understanding as you would to a dear friend going through the same journey. Don’t beat yourself up for not having it all figured out immediately; it’s essential that we allow ourselves “grace” during the challenging moments. Because, after all, you’re human, and navigating Change is not exactly like building an IKEA bookshelf.
Change is a good thing. You should treat it like a new adventure. It is going to be scary sometimes but know the power you have is that you are in control. Control of your life and isn’t that a wonderful feeling?
