Starting over after 50 isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it’s mascara-streaked tears, stubborn intuition, and dancing in the ruins of your old life... in heels.
I connected with this. Just retired. So in the process of redefining my reality. https://pamrecords.substack.com/publish/post/161328417. I write about writing and other musings. My most recent post is about retiring and dreading flesh eating bacteria. Yeah. You have to read it. Makes perfect sense.
Thank you for writing this! I DID leave my corporate job of 22 years. I DID remove ALOT of people, places and things from my life. I DID remove many unhealthy habits and practices from my day to day routine. And it IS messy. And I AM over fifty.
And what other shocking things did I do? I also married my best friend, who I have known since childhood (the one who has always been by my side through it all). I got a blue collar job (close to home), where I get paid by the hour and use (utter gasp) a time clock!!!! I no longer work 24/7. I now have time for myself and my family.
And I also learned how to be ME. The real me.
The days of crying in my car are becoming distant memories.
I no longer suffer the distress of trying to measure up to what other people expect of me. I don’t want to become a VP. I don’t even care to look like a fashion model. And some days, I don’t even wear makeup! Gasp!
I also joined an uncool gym and some days I don’t even go there. Some days, I enjoy working out to a Buns of Steel video in the privacy of my own home!
I know you are probably shrieking with disgust at this point and that’s okay. You are absolutely, 100% correct about reinventing yourself after the age of 50. It takes time but it’s worth it.
Thank you for reinventing yourself. I love your post!
Stephanie - Oh wow… this gave me chills in the best way.
I felt every word of this. Thank you for sharing it. Honestly, THIS is what reinvention really looks like—raw, brave, messy, and freaking liberating. You left the title, the grind, the pressure, the people-pleasing… and chose peace, presence, and authenticity instead. That’s badass.
Marrying your childhood best friend? Clocking in by the hour? Buns of Steel?? Ma’am… you are LIVING. And I mean living on your own terms. That’s the revolution. That’s the dream.
You’re proof that it’s never too late to choose joy. Choose slow. Choose you.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for being real. I’m cheering you on, always. 🌹🔥
Thank you, Desiree! I’m cheering YOU on! We’ve got this!!! I used to think my reinvention had to be on the Cheryl Strayed level but, quite honestly, I’m nowhere near the fitness level to even hike the PCT by myself. However, I DID get my ideas of change from being out in nature during a series of day hikes! I used to let an all or nothing mentality keep me from even moving forward in new directions….then FIFTY hit me! I love your posts!!!!
Amazing article. This hit me in feels I did not even know I had, and I'm pretty aware of my feels. You are speaking to a very attentive part of me, a part of me who is experiencing reinvention as a marathon, not a sprint. There are days I wake up and have to physically resist the urge to completely detonate my entire existence as it is and rise again as something completely new from the ashes... but that would be impractical for me right now. So practical wins and in the meantime I read articles like this that keep the fire in my soul stoked just enough to keep going. Beautiful writing. Thank you. - 💖Lauren
Great post! I have faith in my fate. That's my mantra. 🩶🤍
Love that mantra—faith in my fate. Simple,so grounded. Thanks for sharing it… I might just borrow that one 🌹
I connected with this. Just retired. So in the process of redefining my reality. https://pamrecords.substack.com/publish/post/161328417. I write about writing and other musings. My most recent post is about retiring and dreading flesh eating bacteria. Yeah. You have to read it. Makes perfect sense.
Thank you for writing this! I DID leave my corporate job of 22 years. I DID remove ALOT of people, places and things from my life. I DID remove many unhealthy habits and practices from my day to day routine. And it IS messy. And I AM over fifty.
And what other shocking things did I do? I also married my best friend, who I have known since childhood (the one who has always been by my side through it all). I got a blue collar job (close to home), where I get paid by the hour and use (utter gasp) a time clock!!!! I no longer work 24/7. I now have time for myself and my family.
And I also learned how to be ME. The real me.
The days of crying in my car are becoming distant memories.
I no longer suffer the distress of trying to measure up to what other people expect of me. I don’t want to become a VP. I don’t even care to look like a fashion model. And some days, I don’t even wear makeup! Gasp!
I also joined an uncool gym and some days I don’t even go there. Some days, I enjoy working out to a Buns of Steel video in the privacy of my own home!
I know you are probably shrieking with disgust at this point and that’s okay. You are absolutely, 100% correct about reinventing yourself after the age of 50. It takes time but it’s worth it.
Thank you for reinventing yourself. I love your post!
Stephanie - Oh wow… this gave me chills in the best way.
I felt every word of this. Thank you for sharing it. Honestly, THIS is what reinvention really looks like—raw, brave, messy, and freaking liberating. You left the title, the grind, the pressure, the people-pleasing… and chose peace, presence, and authenticity instead. That’s badass.
Marrying your childhood best friend? Clocking in by the hour? Buns of Steel?? Ma’am… you are LIVING. And I mean living on your own terms. That’s the revolution. That’s the dream.
You’re proof that it’s never too late to choose joy. Choose slow. Choose you.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for being real. I’m cheering you on, always. 🌹🔥
Thank you, Desiree! I’m cheering YOU on! We’ve got this!!! I used to think my reinvention had to be on the Cheryl Strayed level but, quite honestly, I’m nowhere near the fitness level to even hike the PCT by myself. However, I DID get my ideas of change from being out in nature during a series of day hikes! I used to let an all or nothing mentality keep me from even moving forward in new directions….then FIFTY hit me! I love your posts!!!!
Amazing article. This hit me in feels I did not even know I had, and I'm pretty aware of my feels. You are speaking to a very attentive part of me, a part of me who is experiencing reinvention as a marathon, not a sprint. There are days I wake up and have to physically resist the urge to completely detonate my entire existence as it is and rise again as something completely new from the ashes... but that would be impractical for me right now. So practical wins and in the meantime I read articles like this that keep the fire in my soul stoked just enough to keep going. Beautiful writing. Thank you. - 💖Lauren
Lauren… wow. Reinvention as a marathon—yes. And keeping the soul fire lit? That’s powerful. Love it.
Thank you for sharing your heart. You’re not alone. 🌹
Your words hit hard and deep, thank you xx
Emma- Right back at you—thank you for feeling it with me. Sending so much love your way xx🌹