Five New Years Inspirations for Women in Midlife

(Last Updated On: August 11, 2023)

Transforming Life After 50

2022 Update: I wrote this post in December, 2019, looking forward to all that 2020 would bring, and encouraging us all to look to transforming life after 50 (or 60!). Well, bring it on, it sure did! Who would have thought or imagined what we would experience throughout this year.

But once again we’re looking forward to another new year, 2023, and with it the hope for a healthier year than the last few have been. We’ll have renewed opportunities to move forward in our lives with health and anticipation.

So with that update, let’s think about the upcoming year with these five inspirations.

It’s hard to believe that another year is almost behind us, and I’m thinking ahead with five New Years inspirations for women in midlife, like me.

Where does the time go?  When I was younger I remember being told by more mature folks (i.e. old people)that the older you get, the quicker time passes. You turn around and blink…and 10, 20 even 30 years has gone by.

For me in my mid 60’s, I can attest to that fact. I wish some of my memories were clearer, but I’ve never been one who could remember all the details of times past. What I know very clearly, though, is that time is indeed flying by, and I want to make the most of every day in a positive and healthy way.

With the quick approach of January 1st, it’s time to consider our opportunities for personal growth and set out on a healthy track! Transforming your life after 50 is a process, and it all begins with a mindset of positivity and commitment. More about that in a minute. 🙂

Five New Years Inspirations for Women in Midlife

1 | Forget what is behind you & accept where you are today

The one thing that can hold us back the most from learning and growing is our inability to let go of the past. As long as your head is turned behind, your feet will not move forward.

Have you made mistakes? Pretty sure you have; I know I’ve had my share. None of us is perfect. There will always be something (or quite a few ‘somethings’) that we can hold onto and lament.

Regrets? Sadness? Frustration? Why did I…? Why didn’t I…? I I should have… Yep. Been there, done that.

This is a new year, ladies! No heads turned in a backward direction. It’s onward and forward for all of us!

Let’s start fresh in the New Year and accept where we are right now, today. By accepting our current self, we will be more capable of setting goals for ourselves going forward.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE: One of the simplest and effective ways to accomplish this is with a daily affirmation.  Here are several to get you started from louisehay.com

2 | Set realistic but challenging goals for yourself in the New Year

On the one hand, we’re not kids anymore. Our 20’s, 30’s and 40’s are behind us as we travel through midlife. But, we’re not over the hill, either. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to crest that hill for quite awhile yet, at least in my mind 🙂

So when it comes to challenging ourselves in the new year (and I think we should) and transforming life after 50, our goals should fit within the realm of reality, of course, but should be something to make us reach to accomplish.

Your goals don’t have to be limited by your age!

Instead of thinking, “I’m too old to learn how to (fill in the blank)”, ponder what it is you would love to learn/do/acquire/achieve, and set that aspiration for yourself. Age doesn’t have to be a determining factor with most of our goals!

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE: What do you really want to learn or accomplish this year? Be honest with yourself but don’t limit yourself, either. Write your goals and aspirations down.

3 | Self care is just important as caring for others

At our age, our parent(s) may need additional care and assistance on a regular basis, and if we live locally (and sometimes even if we don’t), we’re called upon to provide that service. The roles are reversing, and we’re now taking care of those who cared for us in years past.

Are there grandchildren in your life? If so, you know how rewarding and fulfilling it can be to spend time with those precious young lives.

Your spouse, friend or partner is also deserving of your love and commitment.

Even with all of the above, guess what?

You still must take time for yourself, even if you have to schedule it on the calendar, literally.

I’ve been using a time blocking system for a couple of months to help me stay focused through the work day, and there are two “Me Time” blocks on the schedule. It sounds kind of like, “Seriously? You have to schedule time for yourself??” Well, yes, because if I don’t look up and see it right there in front of me I will tend to keep working and not stop to relax and rejuvenate for a little while.

If you are a caretaker by nature (or by virtue of your upbringing) it might be really difficult to give yourself this priority. But you must, if you want to remain healthy and happy through your midlife years and beyond.

I’ve been watching a series on Netflix called Offspring. It’s an Australian comedy/drama that centers around a family with adult children. The main character, Nina, is a successful doctor who cannot say ‘no’ to her family requests and demands, even when she desperately wants to do just that. She is the ‘fixer’ in the family.

It is very funny many times, but also frustrating and even sad, when the results of her inability to stand up for herself get her into hot water with others and affect her relationships.

4 | Learn something new

This goes hand in hand with setting realistic but challenging goals. What do you want to learn this year? A mind that is always learning is a mind that will stay sharp.

As we travel through midlife and beyond, we need to stay focused, attentive and sharp!

Here are some thoughts to inspire your pondering:

• What is your passion? What do you love to do, or read about, or learn about?
• Where do your interests lie? Sports, hobbies, travel…there is a big world out there with so many opportunities to learn and grow
• What is something that you’ve always wanted to do? It could be business related, or an activity, or a skill. Take that quiet desire and let it bloom this year.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE: Take that list of goals you wrote down in #2 and see how it compliments and relates to these thoughts. Add to the list and remember to write these aspirations down. Put your list in a place where you’ll see it every day. How about reviewing it every morning when you start the day with affirmations?

5 | One step at a time

When all is said and done, we don’t accomplish our goals and aspirations quickly, particularly when they include actions such as losing weight, getting into better physical condition, starting a new venture, healing a relationship, etc.

It is always important to set a time frame to hold yourself accountable. But sometimes life gets in our way, with family, health and other issues that are outside of our control.

Give yourself permission to falter, then get back up and on track.

How would you put this aspiration into practice? Stay focused and don’t give up!

We are living in a rewarding and exciting time in our lives, ladies, and can accomplish anything that we put our minds to. Sometimes it takes an extra dose of motivation and encouragement to help keep us on track.

FRESH START CHALLENGE is an email series, a micro-course, that helps you get your mind, body, and spirit in balance so that you’re ready and focused to set and meet the goals you want to accomplish.

I’ve learned that unless I am ‘all in’ with every aspect of my being, meeting my goals, learning new skills, taking that risk, stepping out of my comfort zone, are less likely to happen.

Challenge yourself for 7 days, one lesson per day delivered straight to your inbox, to bring all of you to the table, so to speak.

No mystical stuff or ju-ju magic here, my friends, just lots of practical and useable tips and tools. Transforming life after 50 is indeed possible!

Learn more and enroll right here: Fresh Start Challenge

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