Feb 16 2009

If you are a Midlife Woman (35-65), This is the Time to Excavate your Authentic Self

Published by Pat Mullaly at 9:54 am under Self-Awareness

Author: Jennifer T. Grainger, B.Msc.

Today’s midlife woman is part of the first generation of women who have the ability to have a life after menopause. Our mothers and grandmothers were expected to fade into the background once their usefulness as child rearers was complete. Not so for today’s baby boomer midlifers! They get a second chance at life without the duties, obligations and commitments of their earlier years that encouraged them to suppress their own interests in favor of being in service to family and/or career.

This is the time nature has decreed that midlife women reconnect to their authentic self, unbridle their passion and live the life they were born to live. Reconnecting to your authentic self is a process of excavating your hidden talents and your heart’s desires, your hidden beliefs and your programmed “shoulds.” This requires your time and attention. Observing yourself, tuning into your thoughts and feelings, journaling, meditating, practices like yoga or Tai Chi, and personal coaching, are all useful tools in getting to know yourself at a very deep level. It can be a challenge in our distraction-rich culture that blares away at us from all sides.

When I say getting to know yourself, that includes those shadow parts that have been relegated to the basement of your subconscious mind so you could fit it. This midlife transition is the time to re-discover the bitch within! In order to fully express your Authentic Self you need to make friends with her and the other hidden parts that were long ago exiled to the dungeon of your subconscious mind.

Taking Inventory

Things that fulfilled you in the past, when you were busy fitting in, may no longer be useful to the new you who is yearning to be birthed. You will get important clues as to what is working for you and what is not by paying attention to what makes you feel excited, joyful and content, and what brings you down, or leaves you feeling burdened and resentful.

Tools For Inner Exploration

Journaling is the act of writing your deepest, truest thoughts in a notebook dedicated as your journal. It is a popular and powerful way to get to know yourself. It can be a fancy journal purchased at the stationery store, or it can be a simple spiral bound school notebook. The most important thing is that you are able to write the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (so help you God) and feel safe that it will be for your eyes only.

Often what bubbles to the surface are thoughts you don’t want anyone else to ever see. Feel free to burn what you write if you are uncomfortable with the material. But, write it. The simple act of writing can connect you to your inner wisdom and inspiration.

Journaling is a way of “cleaning out the basement” while opening you to your highest wisdom. One way to start journaling is to set aside a specific amount of time for the process and then put pen to paper. Write whatever comes to your mind, and keep on writing without stopping until the specified time is up.

You first thoughts might be something like, “I don’t know what to write. I don’t have any particular thoughts to put on paper, I feel like this might be a waste of time, I really have a lot of other things I could be doing right now.” Write all of this down, every thought that comes to mind, and keep on writing. Once the clutter begins to clear, the important thoughts that have been hidden in the basement of your subconscious mind will rise to the surface.

Another use for journaling is to write down insights that come to you while you are doing other things. Be sure to date your writings, including the year. I guarantee that after some time has passed and you look back over your journal, you’ll be amazed at how profound some of your insights are.

Meditating is the act of quieting your everyday mind to let your inner wisdom bubble to the surface. It is also useful to begin to look at the random thoughts that clutter your mind on a regular basis. If it is true that what you think about, you bring about, then getting to know what you are thinking is very useful. You can’t change your thoughts if you don’t know what they are!

Letting Go Of What’s Not Working

Letting go of the baggage from the past is a freeing, yet sometimes grief evoking experience. To see that you have operated with beliefs about how life is, then to discover how limiting and false some of them are can create a “crisis of recognition.”

With no guidelines and few role models to follow, the midlife transition is a daunting journey that deserves support. Whether you go to workshops, get a coach, take some classes, read books, or develop a circle of like-minded women, support is crucial as you make this midlife transition into the second half of your life.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that this transition is a normal phase of the life cycle. The intense feelings, the shift in perspectives, and the desire to have a life of your own is a normal part of this transition. It is not weird or abnormal. Be kind to yourself and get the support that is available if only you begin to look for it.

About the Author: Jennifer T. Grainger is a Self-Discovery Coach helping midlife women make a successful transition into their second adulthood. She works with individuals as well as offers a TeleProgram for Midlife Women Finding What

Article Source

73 responses so far

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

73 Responses to “If you are a Midlife Woman (35-65), This is the Time to Excavate your Authentic Self”

  1. rum drinkson 30 Sep 2011 at 7:52 pm

    There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to eye . There is some validity but I will take hold judgement until I look into it further. Good clause, thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner besides.

  2. liberty reserveon 06 Oct 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I like Your Article about midlifejourney.com » If you are a Midlife Woman (35-65), This is the Time to Excavate your Authentic Self Perfect just what I was searching for! .

  3. Internationale speditionon 10 Oct 2011 at 3:33 am

    Internationale transporte firma

  4. cupluri swingerson 20 Dec 2011 at 6:43 pm

    I just stumbled upon your wordpress blog and wished to admit that We have really enjoyed reading your wordpress blog posts. In whatever way I’ll be subscribing to your rss now, thanks

  5. escorte bucurestion 11 Jan 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Please, is it possible to PM me and notify me few more worries this,

  6. full body massage sexyon 23 Jan 2012 at 7:54 pm

    Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  7. sexy body massageon 26 Jan 2012 at 4:24 am

    It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

  8. sexy japanise massageon 27 Jan 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  9. women hairstyleson 28 Jan 2012 at 4:20 pm

    I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days..

  10. cool cumberbun tuxon 31 Jan 2012 at 6:10 am

    I just like the valuable info you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and test once more right here regularly. I’m relatively certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the next!

  11. k?zon 03 Feb 2012 at 11:18 pm

    Amazing post admin thank you. I discovered what i was in search of here. I will review entire of posts in such a day

  12. komik vidyolaron 04 Feb 2012 at 8:10 am

    Good one particular website operator achievements weblog submit great sharings in such a weblog constantly have entertaining

  13. banko kuponon 07 Feb 2012 at 10:44 pm

    i bookmarked you in my browser admin thank you so much i will probably be seeking your upcoming posts

  14. escort bayan istanbulon 09 Feb 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Greetings thanks for wonderful submit i was looking for this challenge last 2 days. I will search for future precious posts. Have pleasurable admin.

  15. sex hikayelerion 13 Feb 2012 at 12:19 pm

    I was curious about your following publish admin genuinely essential this web site super remarkable webpage

  16. reklams?z porno izleon 14 Feb 2012 at 8:39 am

    I was seeking this blog site previous a few days wonderful weblog owner excellent posts almost everything is wonderful

  17. ?ifal? bitkion 17 Feb 2012 at 1:27 am

    oh my god fantastic publish admin will check out your webpage usually

  18. New Hair Styleon 21 Feb 2012 at 5:35 am

    Seriously essential put up admin great one i bookmarked your internet web page see you in next blog site post.

  19. çiftçio?lu mobilyaon 25 Feb 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I was curious about your upcoming post admin seriously essential this website super wonderful website

  20. chaton 26 Feb 2012 at 2:15 pm

    good page thanks you admin

  21. lenson 27 Feb 2012 at 3:56 pm

    good thanks you..

  22. Erkek Giyimon 27 Feb 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Fantastic article admin thank you. I located what i used to be in search of right here. I’ll review overall of posts on this time of day

  23. rap müzikon 29 Feb 2012 at 3:25 pm

    that you are actually range a single admin your running a blog is wonderful i often check your blog site i’m sure you might be the very best

  24. haberon 29 Feb 2012 at 9:17 pm

    Superb submit admin thank you. I discovered what i was looking for here. I will review overall of posts with this time of day

  25. black hairy tongueon 29 Feb 2012 at 10:46 pm

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this web site. I’m hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.

  26. Eli?ion 03 Mar 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Superb publish admin thank you. I observed what i used to be trying to find right here. I’ll review entire of posts on this working day

  27. pornon 05 Mar 2012 at 5:26 pm

    I used to be browsing for this excellent sharing admin a lot thanks and have nice blogging bye

  28. kiral?k villalaron 05 Mar 2012 at 7:49 pm

    I was searching for this great sharing admin significantly thanks and also have great blogging bye

  29. ?i?me yatakon 06 Mar 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I needed for this web site submit admin truly thanks i’ll search your upcoming sharings i bookmarked your weblog

  30. Crawlon 07 Mar 2012 at 8:51 pm

    hey admin thanks for great and simple understandable submit i beloved your weblog web page definitely significantly bookmarked also

  31. Turkceon 07 Mar 2012 at 9:33 pm

    Truly necessary submit admin great 1 i bookmarked your website site see you in subsequent weblog submit.

  32. seks videosuon 09 Mar 2012 at 4:40 pm

    Greetings thanks for excellent post i used to be searching for this issue very last two times. I will look for following valuable posts. Have pleasurable admin.

  33. networking iasion 11 Mar 2012 at 2:51 am

    Nice to become visiting this blog again, it has been weeks most likely for me. Well, here is the news that I’ve been waited for so long.

  34. apacion 14 Mar 2012 at 12:02 am

    oh my god superb put up admin will check your web site often

  35. siki?on 15 Mar 2012 at 2:46 am

    Hey, I can’t view your site properly within Opera, I actually hope you look into fixing this siki?.

  36. electrician perthon 18 Mar 2012 at 3:28 am

    fantastic issues altogether, you simply won a new reader. What might you recommend in regards to your publish that you made a few days in the past? Any sure?

  37. uk money exchangeon 18 Mar 2012 at 3:39 am

    I don’t even understand how I finished up right here, but I assumed this put up was good. I don’t recognise who you’re however definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!

  38. cheap limo atlantaon 18 Mar 2012 at 4:34 am

    Hey there! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic job!

  39. NoMarr Strapson 18 Mar 2012 at 7:22 am

    Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a part of your post to my site?

  40. aircraft maintenance platformson 19 Mar 2012 at 3:05 am

    There are some fascinating cut-off dates in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity but I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as nicely

  41. email listson 19 Mar 2012 at 5:47 am

    I am glad for writing to make you know what a extraordinary encounter our child experienced going through your web page. She picked up lots of things, not to mention what it’s like to have an incredible teaching mood to let men and women with no trouble understand a variety of advanced subject matter. You undoubtedly did more than our own expectations. I appreciate you for supplying the valuable, dependable, explanatory and in addition unique guidance on that topic to Evelyn.

  42. Rosalieon 19 Mar 2012 at 11:09 pm

    The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to learn, however I truly thought youd have one thing attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly fix in the event you werent too busy searching for attention.

  43. Janet Mackon 20 Mar 2012 at 1:47 am

    I’m just commenting to make you be aware of what a incredible encounter my child obtained reading through your web site. She mastered plenty of things, including what it is like to have an ideal helping spirit to get other people very easily learn chosen extremely tough matters. You truly exceeded our own expected results. Thank you for providing the powerful, healthy, edifying and even cool guidance on this topic to Lizeth.

  44. Stephen Garneron 21 Mar 2012 at 7:48 pm

    I have to voice my love for your generosity in support of all those that must have assistance with your concern. Your special commitment to passing the message all through has been amazingly powerful and has frequently encouraged folks like me to attain their objectives. Your new interesting facts signifies so much a person like me and substantially more to my office workers. Regards; from each one of us.

  45. Do walmarton 23 Mar 2012 at 10:33 am

    I not to mention my guys have already been reading the good solutions located on your web page then all of a sudden developed a horrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to you for those strategies. My boys were as a result thrilled to study all of them and have in effect definitely been using them. Thanks for being indeed thoughtful as well as for choosing such smart ideas millions of individuals are really wanting to discover. My very own honest regret for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.

  46. Chris Russellon 24 Mar 2012 at 10:37 am

    I used to be very pleased to find this net-site.I needed to thanks on your time for this wonderful learn!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.

  47. Dustin Pattonon 26 Mar 2012 at 10:26 am

    Needed to compose you the little note to help thank you once again with your splendid methods you have provided above. It has been certainly generous with people like you to give easily precisely what many people would have marketed as an ebook to earn some cash for themselves, particularly now that you might have tried it if you wanted. The techniques in addition worked like the easy way to know that most people have the same keenness just as my very own to learn many more on the subject of this problem. I believe there are lots of more pleasurable occasions up front for people who go through your blog post.

  48. Reginaon 27 Mar 2012 at 12:41 am

    you’ve got an important weblog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?

  49. Coupon pageon 27 Mar 2012 at 2:07 pm

    I’d have to verify with you here. Which is not one thing I normally do! I enjoy reading a publish that will make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark!

  50. Edward Lindseyon 30 Mar 2012 at 3:37 pm

    This is the appropriate weblog for anybody who desires to search out out about this topic. You notice a lot its nearly laborious to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply great!

  51. Marvel Venancioon 03 Apr 2012 at 12:34 am

    Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  52. Rosalie Rodriquezon 03 Apr 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I’m experiencing concern with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  53. Mari Lenkon 06 Apr 2012 at 4:52 am

    Hyaluronic acid is the necessary substance that hydrates your skin layer from the inside away, helping it retain moisture for any softer, suppler appearance.

  54. These free gift cardson 12 Apr 2012 at 7:06 am

    I wish to express thanks to this writer for bailing me out of this instance. As a result of scouting throughout the the web and meeting basics that were not productive, I thought my entire life was gone. Existing minus the solutions to the problems you have solved as a result of your entire report is a critical case, as well as those that could have badly affected my career if I hadn’t noticed your web page. Your own personal know-how and kindness in taking care of all the pieces was helpful. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come across such a point like this. I am able to at this point look ahead to my future. Thank you very much for the professional and sensible help. I won’t think twice to propose the sites to anyone who would like direction about this problem.

  55. Walmart giftson 14 Apr 2012 at 7:49 am

    you’ve gotten an important blog here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?

  56. Zoup couponon 15 Apr 2012 at 7:35 am

    I used to be more than happy to find this web-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely having fun with every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  57. Irmaon 23 Apr 2012 at 9:50 pm

    An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he in reality bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you grow to be expertise, would you thoughts updating your blog with extra details? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog post!

  58. Claytonon 24 Apr 2012 at 4:30 pm

    I enjoy you because of all your labor on this web site. My daughter loves making time for internet research and it’s really easy to see why. My spouse and i hear all relating to the powerful tactic you make both interesting and useful items via this blog and in addition foster participation from other people on the subject matter so my girl is in fact studying a whole lot. Enjoy the rest of the new year. You’re doing a useful job.

  59. Covergirl makeupon 29 Apr 2012 at 9:47 pm

    This web site is known as a walk-by for all the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll definitely uncover it.

  60. Slow windows 7on 02 May 2012 at 12:33 am

    Thanks for every one of your work on this site. My daughter enjoys getting into internet research and it’s easy to see why. Almost all notice all relating to the lively mode you offer effective information by means of the blog and as well as attract participation from other individuals on that theme so our child is truly learning a lot. Have fun with the remaining portion of the year. You are always conducting a useful job.

  61. Wilma Potteron 02 May 2012 at 3:51 pm

    There are certainly quite a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to carry up. I offer the ideas above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you carry up the place a very powerful thing can be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each boys and girls really feel the impact of just a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  62. Antonio Lewison 05 May 2012 at 2:34 am

    I must point out my affection for your kindness in support of persons who absolutely need assistance with this field. Your very own commitment to getting the solution across turned out to be extraordinarily valuable and have in most cases allowed workers just like me to realize their desired goals. Your own valuable help and advice entails much a person like me and additionally to my colleagues. Best wishes; from all of us.

  63. Scott toilet tissue couponon 06 May 2012 at 12:08 am

    You must participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will advocate this site!

  64. Clear care coupon codeson 07 May 2012 at 7:42 am

    An attention-grabbing dialogue is value comment. I believe that you need to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo topic however generally persons are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  65. New lookon 09 May 2012 at 2:34 am

    you could have an awesome weblog right here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  66. Online couponon 11 May 2012 at 5:28 am

    This website is known as a stroll-via for the entire data you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.

  67. Jodyon 13 May 2012 at 8:11 pm

    I would like to express my passion for your kind-heartedness supporting men and women that really want assistance with this particular issue. Your personal commitment to getting the message up and down came to be extraordinarily helpful and have continually made associates just like me to reach their dreams. Your new interesting instruction denotes so much a person like me and still more to my mates. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.

  68. Torrid store couponson 16 May 2012 at 5:22 am

    I have to express some thanks to this writer for bailing me out of this incident. Just after exploring throughout the world wide web and obtaining recommendations which were not beneficial, I believed my life was done. Existing devoid of the strategies to the issues you’ve resolved as a result of your main guideline is a crucial case, as well as those that would have negatively affected my entire career if I hadn’t encountered the blog. Your personal ability and kindness in playing with all the pieces was priceless. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not come upon such a solution like this. I am able to at this moment look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for this reliable and results-oriented guide. I will not hesitate to suggest your site to anyone who requires direction on this area.

  69. Sony store coupon codeon 16 May 2012 at 2:29 pm

    An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. And he in actual fact bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you turn into experience, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra details? It is extremely useful for me. Huge thumb up for this blog post!

  70. Eva Gomezon 17 May 2012 at 3:41 am

    I must show my thanks to the writer just for bailing me out of this particular problem. Because of browsing throughout the the net and getting ideas that were not beneficial, I was thinking my entire life was well over. Living without the solutions to the problems you have sorted out by means of your entire blog post is a serious case, as well as the kind which could have adversely damaged my entire career if I had not encountered your website. Your good natural talent and kindness in handling every part was valuable. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not discovered such a subject like this. It’s possible to now look forward to my future. Thanks a lot very much for the skilled and effective guide. I will not hesitate to refer your web site to any individual who needs to have guide about this topic.

  71. Printable couponson 17 May 2012 at 8:02 pm

    Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I’m experiencing subject with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting similar rss drawback? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  72. Code 2012on 18 May 2012 at 8:24 am

    A lot of thanks for your own effort on this blog. My niece takes pleasure in managing research and it’s really simple to grasp why. All of us notice all of the lively way you convey very helpful guides via this blog and therefore invigorate participation from other people on this area of interest and my princess is without a doubt discovering a lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. You’re conducting a good job.

  73. Debbie Coxon 18 May 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances seem to get one thing done.

Comments RSS

Leave a Reply

Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree