When Life Feels Like You Are One Crisis Away from Jenga
The first thing I know for sure is there is only one way you can fail and that’s if you believe you don’t deserve to win. The second thing I know for sure is that positive thoughts require energy and negative thoughts require no effort at all.
Moving One Block Can Cause the Whole Tower to Tumble
There is a myriad of reasons why a woman in mid-life and beyond might find herself in a state of emotional or financial crisis. It could be a messy divorce leaving bank accounts drained, worthless investments being found to be scams, or personal problems or health issues depleting life savings. It could be as simple as being laid off, with no one wanting to hire a 50-plus woman to their management team.
You may be struggling with feelings of irrelevancy, stress, hopelessness or lack of a sense of purpose. Are you in limbo, waiting patiently for that perfect moment to bloom?
If you’re 50 or older, you may feel redundant. Our youth-oriented society’s yardstick has measured us past our prime. Our allotted time to shine, be relevant and successful is over. We had our chance; if things didn’t work out, well, it’s too late now. Roll yourself out to the curb with a sign pinned to your chest that reads Past Due Date and wait for the refuse collector. What could we possibly have to offer this late in the game of life?
As It Turns Out, Quite a Lot!
It’s time for us to reimagine and redefine our purpose later in life. Your entire adult existence has been taking care of others: your children, spouse, a corporation’s board of directors. Everyone has had a piece of you to reach their dreams and goals while balancing on your shoulders.
Ideas and visions of who you are, what you want and where you want to go are fluid and constantly changing. Whether you had the good fortune to follow your vision or stored it away for later, something happened to bring life to a halt, and you are at a crossroads.
“I’m Too Old to Start Over”
If you’re not satisfied with your life to date, change it. What are you waiting for? You’re still standing, perhaps tilting a bit like a tree that’s experienced too many storms.
You are not alone. If you’ve lost your compass and feel you no longer have the strength and tenacity to chart your course, it’s time to reach out to a new tribe to help you on your journey.
Society may think we’ve fallen through the cracks and have no place to go but down – no money, no hope, no future – but I’ve got news for them: we have no place to go but up. We are looking forward to an exciting, albeit different, second half of life.
Just like a grand old house that’s seen better days, transform yourself into a brand-new design, a magnificently renovated, imposing mansion that no hurricane of challenges can blow down.
A Life That Is Enough for You
What are you looking for? Encouragement, income ideas, resources, friendships, the story of someone who has shared your circumstances? Has a new idea sprung to life in your imagination, or are you considering revisiting a dormant dream that’s ready to bloom?
A community of many voices with an abundance of courage and grassroots ideas is waiting to hear from you. What are your goals? Happiness, friendships, financial security, travel? Just what is it that YOU desire?
What Are You Prepared to Do to Achieve the Life You Say You Want?
Tell God, the Universe, Mother Nature or just yourself what you want. Say it out loud, write it down, post it on the wall, and believe you deserve it. If you have faith, the Universe will immediately start the process of rearranging things to make it happen. Be very specific: this is your Magnum Opus! Believe it, plan for it, keep moving forward with grit and purpose, and voila, it will appear.
Beware the Good and Bad News
The good news is that if you open your mind, stop dismissing new ideas and stop making excuses, you will get everything you want. The bad news is you don’t get to choose the timeline. But I can tell you this from my own experience: if you are willing to forge ahead and have unwavering faith in yourself, you will get everything you want.
We all know the first step is the hardest. But then it gets easier. Inspire yourself, and others will be inspired by your actions.
Send me an email at hello@wendyrichards.ca to receive the full Introduction: What I Know for Sure from my debut book A Life Postponed – so you too can discover joy and purpose in mid-life and beyond!
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What needs to change in your life so that it turns in a direction that you want? Are you prepared to make those changes?
Tags Reinventing Yourself
Thanku for this wonderful article. I’m now 68 years alone and not in brilliant health. I just want new horizons, new meaning and to just be myself. I look in the mirror and see an older me and feel sad and lonely but I want to feel different. I want to luv me again and feel excited about life again.
This article is so helpful. Thanku
You’re not alone Liz. I hate getting my photo taken since I don’t want to be that old lady in the picture – downright depressing. It’s so unfair. But then I look at photos of Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, or Catherine O’Hara without makeup and know I’m in good company. If I can’t impress folks with my beauty, I’ll dazzle them with my personality, youthfulness, fortitude, and abundance of life skills.
I too hate it when Mother Nature interferes with my health. But sometimes just making a few adjustments is the ticket. I may have to slow down but I sure don’t have to give up.
It sounds to me like you’ve got the passion Liz. Keep going!
I’m definitely at a crossroads. I have been wanting and trying to move back to Washington for nearly six years, and a new challenge has arisen each time I was close to a job offer. This time, a bout of pneumonia revealed that my indolent cancer has become aggressive. I was told at my most recent oncology appointment that without treatment I likely have only months to live. The treatment is nearly as bad as the cancer. So, I have some major soul searching to do. Your article really helped me reflect on what I want. It’s time to give Law of Attraction another spin! Thank you.
I am so sorry that you are once again battling evil cancer. My son also complained that the treatment felt worse than the disease. We all have to live our lives on our own terms for as long as we are given. Miracles happen when you believe that they exist. The very, very best to you Felicia!
I am 64 years old and just started a new job. I’m excited about the possibilities that are waiting for me.
I’m so happy for you Lisa. A new job at 64 – a woman after my own heart!
Love this article. It gives me inspiration. I know I want to do something different…conquer a fear, try something new, take a class…you’ve given me hope. Thank you.
Great news Terri! Thank you. Now go out and do it!
I’ve always had a responsible, practical life, in the sciences (accountant), because you can’t make money doing a, b, or c, so you need to be something that will make money. Ugh. Done with that! I want to be an artist. Yes, an artist! This article gives me hope.
you are sharing my story!
Yup. There are a lot of us. Don’t wait too long to live the life you were meant to live.
I am in the same boat. My brain is tired of looking at numbers. I was laid off in April and just don’t want to go back to staring at numbers all day long again. I want to travel and see places…there are a few obstacles in the path. Hopefully, with time, things will work out.
Sumita, you sound like your little grey cells are starting to giggle. Your time has come – make a plan and go for it! Good luck!
That surely got a chuckle out of me…Yes, for sure, I am looking into semi-retirement, and hopefully God’s plan aligns with mine.
How many of us have been there Maureen? Slaving away for decades at a job we feel we have to do. It is never too late. Be an artist! You’ll live longer.