Many women spend their early years building careers, getting married, developing and maintaining relationships. It’s a time of action and development, essentially creating the foundation of your life as an independent adult. You put in a lot of time, effort, and your heart into all of it. And rightly so. This is the time in your life to do all of this.
And then oneday
You find yourself with some time to sit back, breathe and look at your life. Maybe you’ve experienced something big – a life event, an illness, death, job loss, etc. It’s that “Something” that sends your life, as you knew it into a spin. Just when you feel you are thriving, your marriage is good, your career is good, your friends are great. You begin to feel anxious, sad, and confused.
Are you here sitting, reading, and wondering “What the heck has happened to my life?” Why am I anxious? Why am I confused? Why is it that everything that seemed so right no longer looks as bright? Where once things felt they were flowing nicely, life can suddenly feel uncomfortable. You are faced with new thoughts and feelings. There’s a shift and you don’t know what it means. Wondering why there are so many self-help books and beautiful journals? Most, if not all of us experience a shift in our thinking and priorities.
Why does this happen?
Age of course is one reason. There’s a sudden recognition and a sense of urgency that you must make a change now — or else time will pass you by. You experience a feeling of wanting something different and you don’t know what it is.
So, how do you get from here to there?
1. Take a seat. I mean literally sit down and give yourself some quiet time.
2. Read books —self-help books really can help.
3. Write in a journal.
4. Do you know anyone who has experienced a change or a shift? Ask them.
5. Explore. What did you want to do before life took up all your time?
6. Try something new. Nothing huge. Small is good.
7. Simplify. There’s no need for action all the time.
8. Trust your instincts.
In the early stages you don’t have to know what you like or what you want to do. Don’t rush or hurry to find answers. Just be. Talk about your feelings. Just thinking about change is growth. Find people, places and spaces that are intriguing. Be curious. Stay calm. Time is really on your side.