The term midlife crisis seems to be a thing of the past for women these days. At least in my world and the women I work with anyway. Even though Google still brings up a lot of negative references when you research the term midlife woman.
From signs you’re having a crisis and solutions to problems. The focus is on the catastrophic experience we’re meant to be having.
But are we?
To be honest, there’s not much of a crisis in sight in my world. Apart from the usual stress points of buying and selling a home and family issues. These things have a tendency to flick my cortisol switches at any point in life though, no matter how old I am.
I like to think we are beginning to create a shift in what it means to be a midlife woman. It’s not so much about the dilemma of it but more about the empowerment we feel through the transition. And, that’s a good thing.
So what does it mean to be a midlife woman in 2024 and just how far have we come?
The Cleveland Clinic says in a 2020 article that midlife is the time of life that spans between 40 and 65. Psychologist Dr Susan Albers is quoted as saying midlife is “an opportunity to reevaluate your life”.
For me personally, that makes total sense. Because it’s my absolute belief that if we do the inner work our midlife transition can be the best time of our life. This means that rather than a crisis, midlife can be a time of reevaluation or exploration.
I also see women doing incredible things in midlife these days. A change of career or starting a new business is becoming a lot more common for women over 50. As is, minimising material possessions and travelling the world.
It’s almost like we’re throwing off the shackles that society had imposed on us.
We’re seeing silver and grey haired models in the glossies.Celebs in their 50s showing up bare faced and unapologetically owning it. More cool roles for the mature woman in Hollywood. Female stars shouting down the media when they try take a dig at the way they’re ageing. Increasing numbers of women are deciding to make a stand against ageism. It’s almost like the next level of feminism and it’s great to see.
When you compare it with what was expected of women in the 1950’s we’ve travelled eons further by way of empowerment and freedom to be our true selves.
An article on Historic UK dot com says that the life of the average woman in the 1950s and 1960s was very different. It was the age of respectability and conformity. Very few married women worked and their main role was the look after their husband and children. They tended to be financially dependent on their husband and in many cases answerable to them as well.
Jessica Mann says in the Guardian that she remembers women not being allowed to apply for mortgages or loans. The consent of their husband was needed for those matters. Not many women in that era had careers either and it wasn’t considered a choice in later life. Whereas for her daughter now, the freedom of choice is quite different.
In fact, once you get on Google there are not many references to the more mature woman in the 1950s at all. So what on earth happened to us once we were past fertility in that era. Whatever it was it’s not worth referencing according to Google.
In many ways we are fortunate to be a midlife woman at this point in history.
The freedom of choice we have now is exciting. And that’s why I believe we need to make the most of this part of our life. If we’re not happy there is so much more we can do about it. We don’t have to make do with same old same old, if we feel bored or unfulfilled.
If this is the case, and it is; why are so many women just making do even though they say they’re not completely happy?
It baffles me.
When there are so many options to do that inner reevaluation that psychologist Dr Susan Albers mentions. HER Rediscovery is a program where we do exactly that process and it’s not the only program or course that’s on offer to women over 50.
If you’re happy with same old same old good for you. As today’s midlife woman it’s not necessary to be out there changing your life or making a stand for what you believe in. It’s your choice and if that doesn’t float your boat it’s perfectly fine. We are all so different and a great life is about feeling completely happy and fulfilled to thrive in a life you love.
But, if you’re not, what are you waiting for?
Feeling at a crossroads in life or like you’re going through crisis can lead you to feel stuck, when you want to be making the most out of your life. Working with a good coach can help you do that re evaluation that is essential to women going through the midlife transition in the most empowering way and living your best life. You can book your complimentary connect call HERE to discuss your options.