Welcome your years of experience
One of the ideas I shared during the Vision Building Week last week that resonated was:
As midlife women we begin every new adventure from a place of experience, not from scratch.
As we move through this time of change in our lives we are often faced with the question of “What next?”
Whether it’s a change in career, a new hobby or a life-altering event, midlife can be a time of reflection, self-discovery and new beginnings. The time, the mental and physical effort and energy we know we need to invest in starting something new should be met with an inner knowing.
We are not starting from day 1 having just arrived butt naked in the world. We have decades of life experience… the incredible highs, devastating lows and every groundhog day in between. They all add up to an experience and wisdom accumulated through our life.
We have a unique perspective on what’s important, what works and what doesn’t. This wealth of knowledge is a valuable resource not to be discounted when we consider new pursuits, be they hobbies or careers.
We know there is wisdom that comes with age, one look at our teenagers and their undeveloped prefrontal cortex is quick testament to that! As we age, we often develop a greater sense of self-awareness and a deeper understanding of what is truly important in life. This enables us to bring a sense of clarity and purpose to our new pursuits. We know we want to do things that are truly important to us and our families. We see the value in service and championing causes we are aligned with.
Midlife women usually have the advantage of a strong support network. With years spent building relationships and friendships, we have a wealth of resources available to us when starting something new. Whether it’s a friend who can offer guidance and support, a mentor giving advice and encouragement, a community for accountability and evidence… We have a powerful network to turn to for help!
Starting something new can be scary absolutely, but know you are not starting from scratch! Acknowledge and utilise the wisdom gained from your life experiences.
What fears could keep you stuck? Can you list a few, name them and get them out of your head where they tend to sit going round in a continuous loop?
Some of the ones I have felt recently and have been working on are…
- Fear of Failure: The fear of failing at something new can be debilitating, leading many to avoid taking risks or trying new things altogether. This fear can come from past failures, low self-esteem or a lack of confidence in your abilities.
- Fear of the Unknown: Starting something new can be frightening because it requires venturing into the unknown. This can make us feel uncertain, anxious or even overwhelmed, preventing us from taking the necessary steps to challenge ourselves.
- Fear of Rejection: The fear of being rejected or criticised by others can also keep us stuck and prevent us from trying new things. This fear can be especially potent in social situations, where the fear of rejection can keep people from speaking up, taking the lead or making themselves vulnerable.
- Fear of Embarrassment: The fear of being embarrassed or making a fool of yourself can also keep us from challenging ourselves. This fear can lead us to play it safe, avoid taking risks or stay within our comfort zones, preventing us from growing and evolving.
- Fear of Change: The fear of change itself can be a major factor in keeping us stuck and preventing us from challenging ourselves. Change can be unsettling and even frightening, especially if it means leaving behind familiar ways of doing things or stepping outside our comfort zone.
Now, I’m fairly confident based on my years of experience 😉 that I am not alone in feeling these fears! Would you be vulnerable too and share yours with me? Recognising them and addressing them is the key to overcoming the fears and taking the steps needed to grow and evolve.
As this email is looking rather long now perhaps I’ll wait for your replies and in my next email we can explore the ways we can work to overcome, work through or move past our fears.
Wishing you a week that celebrates your years of experience and wisdom.