The Midlife Unraveling
Your marriage is slowly falling apart. The kids have left the nest and you question what’s next. You wake up in the morning and look into the mirror and wonder who you even are.
You feel a nudge that something is missing in your life. An internal rumbling that does not leave.
Welcome to the midlife unraveling.
A phase of life where you may feel all alone. The truth is others are going through their own version of a midlife unraveling.
While the midlife unraveling is unique to each person, there’s a common core of what you may be experiencing.
Questioning the meaning of your life
Things look ‘normal’ on the outside but inside you’re barely holding it together
The sense that life is short and time is slipping away
A deep yearning to feel a sense of lightness and joy
Relationships are changing
Afraid to be seen and known
Wonder if this is all there is to life
Tired of pretending and creating an Instagram worthy life
Does this sound like someone you know? Maybe you?
My midlife unraveling journey began when I kept getting the nudge that there was more to life. The nudge that I ignored for many years.
I had a supportive husband, a beautiful home, and three healthy kids so who was I to ask for more?
But the nudge was still there left unattended…until I could no longer ignore it.
Connecting with this voice of wisdom had me starting to look at my life in different ways.
I began to question everything and discovered what really mattered to me.
The biggest shift I witnessed during this time was the very slow process of my marriage coming unhinged…and eventually ending.
Your midlife unraveling may look different. It may be a career you once loved that no longer fills you up. Or possibly after the passing of a parent, you felt a sense of freedom to show up as yourself.
There’s no right or wrong way as you go through this phase of life. This is the time to practice self-compassion as you discover who you are and how you want to move forward in life.
There will be ups and downs. Some days may feel like you’re on the roller coaster called life. And that’s okay.
Regardless of what your midlife unraveling looks like, show yourself self-compassion and LOTS of grace. This is uncharted territory you’re attempting to navigate. Some days will be easier than others.
You may want to climb under the covers until it’s over. The truth is it’s not as much over as it is the continuation of the unfolding of your life. A life much more beautiful than you could have ever imagined. 🙂
If you or anyone you know could use support making sense of their midlife unraveling, I’m here. The work I do brings me great joy to see how I’ve made a difference in the lives of others.
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