Midlife Transitions and Challenges: A Call for a Renewed Vision
You feel a “rumbling” inside yourself that your life should be different from what it is right now.
You’re not alone.
One thing many midlife women have in common is the experience of an internal rumbling—a feeling something should be different or something needs to change. It may be hard to pinpoint where the discomfort comes from, but you feel an unsettling rising internally.
This feeling could be the need for a change in your career, where you’re spending your time, how you’re taking care of yourself, who you socialize alongside, or how you experience fun.
Whatever the cause…it is time to listen.
Midlife is a time of transitions—kids are leaving home, friendships are evolving, careers are changing, parents are aging and need help, disease risks are rising, and bodies are aging. You’re not alone in feeling like you’re going through the motions, taking care of others, and postponing self-care during this time. As a result, you may feel tired, distracted, sleep-deprived, and lacking energy.
The excellent news is…you’ve got this! You can reignite and flourish with a little focus, intention, and consistency.
Here’s the thing, your old identity may be holding you back and sabotaging the future YOU. You may be stuck in old behaviors that are not aligned with who you are in midlife or who you want to be. You may be comparing your 20-, 30 -or 40-year-old self to your current self and unintentionally holding yourself back from living well now.
“True behavior change is identity change.” – James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
To create change, you must change your underlying beliefs about yourself and how you want to live.
Your current beliefs and actions are a reflection of your current identity. Internal stories and limiting beliefs may be holding you back from living the life you envision. The rumbling you’re experiencing is most likely a reflection of an inner identity conflict—you want one thing, but your actions aren’t aligned.
The best way to start feeling differently is to start living differently is to stop and reflect on your current beliefs, worldview, self-image, how you see others, and your biases. This is often referred to as your identity.
Next, it’s time to reimagine a vision for your future self.
You can do this by moving through the following steps:
1. Close your eyes
2. Take a few deep breaths
3. Ask yourself:
What is your vision for your life five years from now?
What do you want to be doing and experiencing?
Who do you want to be experiencing your life with?
What brings you joy?
What memories do you want to be making?
How do you want your loved ones to remember you?
How do you want your body to feel? Don’t focus on your appearance, but how do you want your body to FEEL?
What energy do you want to be radiating? What energy and vitality do you want to put into the world?
How do you want people to feel when they’re around you?
How will you show up for yourself and your loved ones?
Now think about ten, twenty, and thirty years from now. Does your vision change?
What do you want your life to look like, and how do you want your body to feel and be capable of doing?
4. When you’re ready, write your thoughts, feelings, and vision down.
5. Repeat this exercise several times over the next few weeks to help you reframe and revise your midlife vision.
You are the architect of your life. To live your new vision, you must first let go of your old behaviors that are out of alignment.
It’s time to start living your vision.
Every day review your vision. Envision yourself living your dream. Immerse yourself in how you feel when your daily life aligns with your vision. Your brain will respond when you regularly visualize how you want to live.
Next, take actions that are aligned with your vision. When making a choice ask yourself, “Is this decision or action aligned with my envisioned identity?”
Repeat every day, and soon you will reignite! If you need more help setting and living your vision, you may enjoy our 90-Day Vision Journal.
If you need help addressing your inner rumbling(s), check out our FREE downloadable worksheet to get started.
As you reflect on a midlife vision, you may enjoy reading two popular blog posts—Take Steps to Reignite Yourself After 50 and Five Ways to Reinvent Your Career— to get you thinking about the changes you want to make.