making midlife the best of life #1 (work)


For the last few years I have been one of those women who bemoaned the advent of middle age and all the unkind changes it brings with it. But what I am discovering is that it has nothing to do with my age and everything to do with my attitude!


I started this blog seven months ago when I was mired in a job that I really disliked, I resented that my husband wasn't working as much as I wanted him to, both our children were settled in the city and not nearby. I was disappointed with a lot of what life had become and was in serious danger of becoming a sour faced middle aged woman who whines about growing older. A woman that nobody wants to be near for too long because they drag everyone around them down too - my terminology for this type of person is a "light sucker" and I was at risk of going down that path!

But what I have come to realize is that life is what you make it (yes, I know I was a bit slow on the uptake with that epiphany). Midlife is actually a pretty fabulous stage in the grand scheme of things - or maybe it's just my stage of midlife that's pretty darn good? There were things that were really bugging me and it came down to having the confidence in myself to take some risks and make some changes rather than putting up with the same old thing for the next 15 years until retirement (if I survived that long!)

I kept telling myself that I was stuck working in a job I hated because we needed the money. The real reason I stayed in that soul sucking work environment was that I was scared I'd never find another job because I was too old. Coming to terms with the fact that it's better to be a bit poorer and a lot happier was a big milestone for me. Letting go of the tight grip I had on being responsible and just taking a breath and stepping back from it all has opened up a new perspective for me. 

The biggest surprise during all of this has been finding out that I am actually still quite employable! I had thought that youth and beauty would trump age and experience, but that hasn't been the case at all. In the four weeks post-quitting I was offered two relief positions, came second in my first job interview (out of 55 applicants) and was the only candidate interviewed for the job I've just taken on.....oh, and I was offered another job interview while I was on my first day at my new workplace. Having a mature work ethic and years of related experience is seen by some employers as extremely valuable. I just needed to have the same view of myself and my skills. 

So, from now on I refuse to see myself as less than those gorgeous little 20-somethings and I will revel in my midlife and all it has has to offer. I will celebrate the journey that has brought me here and I refuse to wish this time away. Yes, there are more wrinkles and yes, I'm not as young as I used to be.....but that is small potatoes in comparison with the joys that midlife can offer. 

As I was writing this, I found that there is so much more that I'm celebrating about this second phase of life, so this is post #1 and I'm going to write more about it tomorrow in post #2. Please come back and celebrate this age and stage with me. 


30 comments

  1. Leanne, I loved reading this post and hearing your positive attitude. Way to go, I am excited for you.
    Kathleen
    I love you sharing with Fridays Blog Booster Party

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    1. Thanks Kathleen - still a long way to go, but it's a great time of life!

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  2. So happy for the results of your positive attitude! Because it is all about attitude.
    Carol

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    1. Thanks Carol - it's a lesson I'm learning and I intend to enjoy the years ahead - not waste them :)

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  3. I am enjoying midlife so much - in some ways, more than any other time of my life. I'm so glad you were able to find a new job - experience trumps youth!

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    1. It's turning out to be a great stage of life Sharon and such a relief to find out that I was still employable - the thought of retiring because I was no longer competitive work-wise was at the back of my mind & it was nice to be pleasantly surprised.

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  4. Woo Hoo! I think you are not alone in your fear that you may not be seen as current and marketable. We possess so many skills and often a really great work ethic and those are valuable to employers. If they aren't smart enough to value you, you probably don't need to be working there anyway!

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    1. that's all so true but it's funny how society and it's love of the young and beautiful starts to eat at your self confidence. It's so reassuring to find employers out there who respect and value experience and maturity & I'm really glad I'm not on the scrap heap just yet!

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  5. Attitude is everything and I always have a hard time being around "old" people who act like their life is over. Great points in your post and so happy for you that you changed your way of thinking. At 65 I started a whole new career as far out of my comfort zone as I ever imagined. I have never been busier or more fulfilled and it is just starting.

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    1. Thanks Carol - I'm impressed that you reinvented yourself at 65 when I'm challenged by doing it at 53. I've added you to my list of inspiring people!!

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  6. The celebrating has started as per your suggestion. Can't wait for the second helping . . .

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    1. Just in time for the weekend Diane :) A little bit of wahtuzi-ing??

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  7. We are wonderful as we are. All ages!
    Each period of our life has its beauty. Shine everyday!
    I'm here from #FridayBlogBooster.

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    1. I agree Debbie - sometimes we think that getting older means getting duller but I like the idea of shining :)

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  8. Yes, you should celebrate the good that happens each day. Congratulations on being in Midlife...it is a wonderful part of the journey.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Barbara and you're right, it is a wonderful stage of life!

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  9. Leanne, it is exciting to hear about your recent successes on the new job front, as well as your change in perspective. Sometimes we have a narrow view of ourselves or what we have to offer, and need to look at ourselves through others' eyes and see what they see. I've often said of my daughter as she has grown older, "This is my favorite age" -- hopefully, we will all be able to say that of ourselves as we grow older, too! :)

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    1. Hi Wendy - I love "this is my favourite age" - you can reapply it if the next age is even better! I am working really hard on my perspective and not being so tough on myself.

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  10. I love your positive energy and enthusiasm! Thank you for spreading the cheer---Middle age is great!

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    1. I think middle age is very under rated - at least we're doing our best to improve it's image :)

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  11. I have a tee shirt with the above quote-

    Pinned!

    Linda

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    1. Hi Linda - now I want the tee shirt too :)

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  12. Hi Leanne! Congrats for your new mindset! Isn't it way more fun and invigorating to like your life and where you are at instead of the whole "light-sucker" approach? (FYI...I'd never heard of a light-sucker before...did you come up with that? It's brilliant!) I too am happy to hear about your new job opportunities and can certainly see why you have MUCH MORE to offer than those younger than you. It's time we all worked to make others realize that age is a benefit! I'm looking forward to your 2nd post! ~Kathy

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy - you inspire me on the road to positivity! I'm not sure if I invented the light-sucker term but it is so appropriate for those people who just drain the energy out of everyone they come in contact with!

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  13. So nice to hear such positive sentiments! Thank you for joining us at #MidLifeLuv, we're very glad to have you!
    Kimberly
    http://FiftyJewels.com

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  14. This should be required reading for every woman in mid-life! I am sharing it Leanne - and congratulations on your new mindset, your job, and the wonderful example you are setting!

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    1. Thanks Susan! I was so chuffed to see my post on your facebook page x

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  15. Some really great insights here. I think it is all about our perspective. Althought I live in an economically depressed area, I have been feeling great ever since I started a blog and reached out to the blogging community! We can do much more than we give ourselves credit for!

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    1. That is so true Mary, I think we have been led to believe that middle age is a kind of grey area and the beginning of the downhill slide into old age. Instead, I'm finding it's actually a pretty good stage of life and blogging is opening up a whole new aspect of it. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  16. Hi Leanne, this post was in the TOP SIX most clicked on Fridays Blog Booster Party#12 and will get special mention on Friday.
    Kathleen

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.