For many individuals, turning 50 can be daunting. It marks a time in your life when retirement may be close, your kids are getting older, your daily routine may feel monotonous. In many ways 50 feels like it’s time to give up on your dreams.
Scratch that.
50 is a fresh start. At 50 you’ve accumulated a lifetime of experiences, wisdom, and knowledge to use. You’ve reached more financial stability, expertise, and maybe even freedom. You’ve spent decades learning and making connections. Now is the time more than ever to use that footing and create something new. It is never too late to evolve, grow, learn, and take bold steps towards a more fulfilling career or life.
Use and expand your knowledge. You have likely built a strong foundation of knowledge over the decades, in the various fields you have been involved in. Whether it’s shifting careers, launching a business, or mentoring others, your experience is a valuable asset. By the time you’ve reached your 50’s chances are you have built a strong network of people who know you and want to see you succeed. Use this network to help you in your new aspirations.
Prioritize your health. Keep your movement high – movement keeps you young. This transition into a new decade can serve as a valuable reminder to put time into your mental and physical health. This could mean implementing a daily walk in your schedule, or starting a new practice of yoga. If there is some form of movement you have always wanted to try, use this as an “excuse” to do just that. Investing your time and energy into your health now can be very important to your future self.
Tend to your relationships. Quality friendships are important for keeping you happy in the present – but they can also boost your longevity and overall well-being. Make time for these meaningful friendships, family connections, and relationships that enrich your life. Maintaining friendships can be challenging in your 50’s because you may not have as much structure in your social life as you once did. You used to have roommates, maybe played on a sports team, or had weekly club meetings to attend. Just because you may not be as surrounded by people daily as you once were, doesn’t mean you should neglect the importance of social interaction. You can make time for these friendships in ways such as starting a monthly book club, a weekly game of pickleball with your friends, or a nightly walk through on your street with your neighbors. These may seem like small acts, but setting aside time with a friend can maintain a crucial connection.
The real transformation begins when you stop seeing 50 as an endpoint and start viewing it as a blank canvas. This is your time to create something entirely new.
Now is the time to hone in on your dream job. Do some reflecting and ask yourself, is this current job really what I want to be doing? Maybe there’s a long-standing passion you’ve never fully pursued. Now is the time more than ever to chase that. Switching or starting a new job may feel scary – especially when you are making a major change later in your life. But often the most successful businesspeople are the ones who are bold and willing to take risks. Embrace the freshness and freedom of this opportunity and take the risk. By now, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience under your belt – Use that to your advantage.
Reignite your sense of curiosity by learning something new. This could be something that is creative and relaxing like gardening or painting. It could be a social hobby such as hiking with a friend, learning how to play golf, or starting a book club. A hobby could also be something intellectual like learning a new language. By implementing these new activities into your life, it can be a good reminder that no matter how old you are, there is always an opportunity for change and learning – helping to reshape the narrative of aging.
Revisiting formal education in later life is an exciting endeavor. It gives you a new appreciation for learning with an entirely new lense. Getting a degree in something that you’re truly passionate about can reignite your purpose and allow you to be surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds. Moreover, going back to school without the high-stakes pressure of early adulthood allows you to approach academics with new goals and lower stress.
The stressors of turning 50 may disproportionately affect women. Ageism often affects women more severely, especially in the workplace. Many women report having faced age discrimination in the workplace, with stereotypes about their abilities and potential at an older age. According to research, employers see older women as less valuable and are more likely to discriminate against them. Media, particularly Hollywood, reinforces these harmful images by portraying older women as unattractive or irrelevant.
Many Gen X women are finding themselves countering these stereotypes and getting ready for a chapter of their life filled with purpose. More than ever, they’re embracing their 50’s as a time of purpose and power. Entrepreneurship, in particular, has become a bold form of resistance. Starting a business is a powerful way of pushing back against stereotypes that argue there is an expiration date with career growth. For women in their 50’s, starting a business is a chance to combine passion with experience.
Why is it so important to take control of your narrative as you reach your 50’s? Because others are watching – your children, friends, community. You’re showing them what it looks like to keep striving, dreaming, and growing, regardless of your gae. More importantly though, you’re doing it for yourself. Don’t let your fear of being “too old” rob you of experiences that you could have. Switch the story and take this time to “reinvent” yourself alongside the values and goals that matter to you most.
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