Some quotations stick with me, and over the years, this one has: “Midway upon the journey of our life, I found myself within a forest dark, for the straightforward pathway had been lost.” Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy: Inferno—Purgatorio – Paradiso.
I would not have put it so dramatically, but this feeling did happen for me after I’d been in a corporate job for many years. I worked for a wonderful company and had a great job. My boss was amazing and so were the people I worked with. I had a beautiful house in a charming community. And I just couldn’t do it any longer. I had no idea what I was going to do next, but I knew I had to stop doing what I was doing. When a good friend pleaded with me to wait just five years so I could take early retirement, I said if I did that, my soul would be a raisin, and it wouldn’t matter what I did.
Women Over 50: What’s Next?
Many women I talk to also have a “lost in the forest” experience. For some, they’ve been really successful, risen through the ranks, and actually like what they did for many years. And then at some point the feeling of “Is this IT?” Is my legacy going to be as the best EVP of marketing the company had ever had? It’s just not enough.” I hear a similar sentiment from entrepreneurial women who have run successful companies for many years. And then at some point, they too ask “Is this IT? Is this what I’m going to be known for?”
Many of these women have devoted their lives to their careers or companies, children, spouses, extended families, etc. And now they realize that they are ready to spend some time on “ME! What do I really want? What is deeply meaningful to me at this time in my life? And how can I figure that out and start doing it?”
It’s Your Turn!
Having been through this, I know how confusing and frightening this can be. Many of us have spent our lives building what we have and much of it we cherish. . .and yet, it just isn’t enough. The question I often hear is, “What’s next??”
We can have good friends who are feeling this way, and we may never know it because it can feel like failure to the woman in the middle of it. This is sad because it actually is a strong sign of growth. The woman is ready for more, ready to grow and explore new things. She may make small or large contributions to something that is out there, needing her help. She may have just the right skills, experience, and temperament for whatever is calling her.
I believe that as women, it is natural for us to begin to want more, be more, to grow and contribute in a wider way. I believe this happens for many of us in our late forties, fifties, sixties, and it may continue for many years after that. It’s like the “other end” of puberty. . .who am I now? We need to nurture this development rather than shy away from it in fear. Is it scary? Yes, it certainly can be, but for many of us, the scarier path is not to move ahead into wherever that hidden path in the forest takes us.
Women Over 50: What’s Next? Have any of you had an experience like this? If so, please share it below so we can all learn from you. And stay alert for any friend who may be feeling this way. She needs your help, support, and encouragement.
Learn More…
The Prime Spark Membership Community is designed for women age 50 (or close) and older to support one another. We learn and grow together while furthering the mission of Prime Spark. Membership currently is closed. If you’re interested in joining, please send an email to [email protected] and ask to be placed on the waitlist.
To learn more about Prime Spark, go to www.primesparkwomen.com.
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