Midlife is a unique time of transition for women. We find ourselves in an all-encompassing experience that demands we see ourselves in new and different ways as we navigate transitions in multiple domains of our lives and leadership:
Any way you slice it, midlife is a time of unexpected and unwelcome change and challenge.
With 40-50+ years of life under our belts, we have accumulated vast experience, honed our skills, and navigated numerous professional and personal challenges and milestones. Yet, at a time when we should be at the height of our powers, we run headlong into obstacles specific to this life stage that can knock us off course, hinder our progress, and undermine our confidence.
From the subtle biases and stereotypes that persist in our own minds and our workplaces, to the societal expectations that shape our roles as women, parents and caregivers. From balancing responsibilities and priorities across multiple (often conflicting) domains, to juggling career aspirations with our partners or doing it all alone. From dealing with the stigma of peri/menopause and the bias of gendered ageism, to redefining our identities: we find ourselves in a space between who we were and who we will become.
I’ve personally found it helpful to think of our midlife transition using the classic literary lens of a heroine’s journey.
The hero’s journey is the classic quest of myth and legend. Our hero leaves the stability and security of the known and familiar to head off into the unknown in search of adventure. He undergoes trials and challenges that develop physical mastery and secure powerful artefacts that will help him resolve a conflict or solve a problem when he returns home, the conquering hero.
The heroine’s journey is different. Our heroine’s adventure is about mastery of her mind, resolving internal struggle, and evolving her identity. She may set out from the same known world as the hero but she leaves with a different mission. Although she will also face physical trials, our heroine’s journey is one of identity, internal connection, and bridging the liminal space between who she is and who she must become. She returns home with the inner strength and wisdom to heal her community and be at peace with herself.
As heroines of our own midlife storylines, we have this same leadership opportunity. We can choose to leave the maps of ‘the known and certain’ behind and strike out on our own paths. The trials provided by the multiple elements of our midlife transition make for a challenging adventure through which we may grow and evolve, becoming women and leaders of power, creativity, wisdom, and grace.
Many of the challenges of midlife are thrust upon us but amidst this chaos, there are opportunities for us to become who we need to be for the next phase of our lives and leadership: our Second Life.
Instead of midlife crisis, I see this time as a midlife awakening with SIX key opportunities:
When we’re down in the depths of the Midlife Turning Point it’s normal for us to be exhausted in our bodies, chaotic in our minds, and feeling powerless as we find ourselves victims of outdated stereotypes, prioritising the needs of others over our own, and juggling the responsibilities of our many and varied roles in life and leadership.
The good news is it doesn’t have to stay that way!
With the right development and support we can find a pathway up and out of the turning point. Although we are each walking our own paths, as women in midlife and beyond we share a common journey. Together we can find our way to more creative states of mind, renewable levels of energy and wellbeing, and to becoming a deeper and more grounded power source for ourselves and others.
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