If you’re a woman in your mid- to late-40s, you may be noticing some changes within your body and perhaps are facing some career shifts. You may also be adapting to an “empty nest” environment at home, or you’re perhaps taking on the responsibility of caring for a sick family member. While aging comes with new responsibilities and changes, the menopause transition can also bring its own set of challenges that can increase stress and negatively impact quality of life.
But, enjoying what every day has to bring doesn’t have to end here. In fact, midlife and your postmenopausal years could actually be the ideal time to rediscover who you are and focus on finding your purpose in life beyond career, family, and other responsibilities—it may just be the perfect time finally to focus on you.
In this article we’ll explore why life after 40 can actually be a season full of opportunity—and we’ll dive into the different ways you can take advantage of all the possibilities ahead.
Finding Your Purpose After Menopause
In our 20s and 30s, having a ‘sense of purpose’ is often tied to settling down and starting a family or progressing with your career or advanced education.
As we reach midlife, however, it’s not uncommon to feel “lost” once those goals are behind us and all that used to shape us takes new form. Finding a new sense of purpose is essential to maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being during menopause and beyond.
Some of the benefits of finding your purpose in life can include:1
- Helps with stress management
- May lower risk of heart attack and stroke (as a result of alleviated stress)
- Linked to better self-care (like maintaining health screenings)
Fortunately, finding purpose and passion has no age limit. And there’s no better time to rediscover your ‘why’ than the present and start to enjoy life.
How to Find Your Passion After 40
Wondering where to start? Let’s look at some ways you can explore new passions no matter your age.
Embrace Lifelong Learning
Have you ever wanted to take a ballet class, learn to play an instrument, or study a new language? Now is the perfect time!
You’re at a point in your life when you may notice shifts in your cognition - this can present in forms of forgetfulness or loss of concentration – often referred to as “brain fog”.2,3,4
By continuing to push ourselves to learn new things, we can keep our brains active and healthy. Lifelong learning has not only been associated with better cognitive health, it’s also been noted as a key to boosting happiness and adding new layers to your identity.5,6
Consider Becoming a Mentor
Think back to the early days in your career or in your role as a parent. As you gained your footing, who were those you looked to for guidance, encouragement, and support?
Now may be the perfect time to step into a similar advisory role for those around you. Having a few years of wisdom behind you can create the perfect opportunity to pay it forward to those who are navigating similar scenarios.
This might look like reaching out to the entry-level coworker down the hall to ask how she’s adjusting to her new role. Or it may mean introducing yourself to the young, new family who has just moved onto your street.
In a culture that idolizes independence and isolation, studies have shown that mentorship supports mental health in work settings and—outside of the office—is an essential tool for achieving human connection, as well as lowering rates of depression, and improving well-being.7,8
Think Big
Think about the skills, traits, and experiences that make you, you.
How can you use the challenges you’ve faced throughout your life and lessons you’ve learned to impact the world around you?
As you consider your own strengths, don’t be afraid to journal your thoughts for clarity. Not sure how to begin? Consider starting by asking questions like:9
- What brings me joy?
- What unique challenges have I faced throughout my life, and what did I learn from them?
- What is most important to me?
- What are my strengths?
- How can my strengths help others?
Thinking big can help you identify causes that are meaningful to you and consider ways you might be able to help.10 You may realize your skills make you an ideal candidate for certain volunteer opportunities, locally or abroad. Plus, reviewing your skills may bring a sense of peace, confidence, and clarity as you navigate this ‘in-between’ season of life.
Reach Out for Help If Necessary
If feelings of ‘being stuck’ or lonely persist or interfere with your daily life, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, therapist, or healthcare professional for guidance. A healthcare provider can help identify and treat the root issue.
Resources
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/10-ways-to-find-purpose-in-life
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5207430/
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169008
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38888619/
- https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/seven-lifestyle-interventions-evaluated-by-who-prevent-cognitive-decline#ref-4
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2021/10/17/learning-is-a-sure-path-to-happiness-science-proves-it/
- https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/how-mentoring-improves-mental-health-and-employee-well-being-in-the-workplace
- https://www.mentoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mentoring-and-Mental-Health.pdf
- https://medium.com/@StanlyRichard/rediscover-your-purpose-in-your-40s-embrace-the-next-chapter-of-your-life-72635f40efa4
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https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/10-ways-to-find-purpose-in-life
