Twenty ways to get out of a midlife rut that’s driving you crazy
Midlife can be a time when so many of us lose our way emotionally and physically and the doubts can take centre stage.
But it is also a time when we can find a new zest for life, explore new challenges and uncover strengths and abilities we had no idea we possessed.
So if you are feeling stuck and long to get yourself out of a midlife rut, here are ideas to get you started.
I am a huge fan of taking little steps as I have seen for myself and with my clients how the impact of these small seemingly insignificant changes can build up and how they can give us the confidence and courage to go for more.
1. Believe change is possible
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Start listening to the many incredible podcasts for midlife women, search on social media and share your experiences with friends. There are many examples of women who have reinvented themselves and found a new joy and excitement in living in their midlife and their stories can be an inspiration for you.
2. Get physical
Move your body in whichever way suits you. Love sport – join a gym, take an online class, walk the dog. Don’t feel you have got to make huge commitments as even a small amount each day can have a huge beneficial impact on your physical health and your mood.
3. Take control of your health
Make lists of health concerns and menopausal symptoms and start researching your options for dealing with them. In my Menopause Wellbeing Journal, there are pages for you to make notes and track your symptoms.
4. Connect with others
Make arrangements to visit old friends and get out and make some new ones.
5. Tackle stress
Nothing takes the joy out of living faster than being overwhelmed with stress and it’s not something you have to live with. Change your perception of stress and how you respond to it (in a more helpful way) changes automatically - see my book Ditch the Midlife Stress from the Inside Out to discover how to change your relationship with it forever.FREE stress personality quiz.
6. Uplevel your mindset
Find small ways to stay more positive. Do a 10-day no complaining challenge, or read some of my other blogs. Blog posts to help with midlife mindset.
7. Declutter
Start small with a sock drawer if you feel overwhelmed and move through your home sorting through everything you own and start getting rid of anything that doesn’t pass the “love it or useful” challenge.
8. Have more fun and joy
What do you love to do? It doesn’t have to be the things that cost both in terms of time and money but start allowing yourself a little time each day, guilt-free to spend it exactly as you wish.
9. Prioritise your own wellbeing
In my blog 5 Powerful ways to simplify your life and step into a gentle way of well-being, I explain where our wellbeing comes from and how we can find more of it.
10. Spend time in nature each day
More research is showing the power of forest bathing and of being near water so get out and spend time in the natural world.
11. Learn a new skill
Get knitting, sewing, speaking Mongolian, learn to draw – whatever takes your fancy.
12. Quiet time
We all have our answers for the dilemmas we face. But sometimes it can be difficult to find these quiet solutions amongst all the mental noise. Take time to slow down using either meditation, solitude or doing a quiet hobby (knitting or walking) or mindfully making a salad.
13. Make a contribution to others
Start volunteering, offering help to others - it’s one of the fastest ways to feel better about ourselves and it makes the world brighter for others too.
14. Explore spirituality
We all crave a deeper connection to ourselves, others and something outside of ourselves. Reconnect to any spirituality you had as a child or explore new paths and traditions.
15. Explore your adventurous side
What activities would make you gasp with excitement? Take action and find out what is available. Adventures don’t have to be costly and they don’t need to take much time - it’s more about cultivating an attitude of adventure.
16. Make plans
Plan something you would like to do, maybe visiting a friend, having an afternoon tea or a short mini-break. Have something to get excited about and look forward to.
17. Do an audit on your financial health
Look at ways you can make more money and save. Although this might seem quite a heavy task to do turn it into a game. One of the best books I have read is Becoming Rich by Genevieve Davis.
18. Start a business
Start creating a side hustle or something more ambitious.
19. Beautify your environment
Clean, decorate and make claim a space for yourself
20. Become an expert
What would you like to know more about? Which skills would you like to learn?