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What's Next?
By: Cindy Joseph
At BOOM!, our customers are from all generations but a whole lot of them are women over 50.
I get these questions from a lot of women: “I’ve turned 50, my kids are grown, I’m an empty nester.
What do I do with the rest of my life?” And, “I’ve had a great career, I’ve been doing the same thing since I was 23.
I have accomplished a lot and enjoyed all I’ve done. I’m full. What do I do next?”
Great questions! What’s next? So many possibilities! However, it is common to start hearing the voices of fear whispering to us from inside.
Our society sends us messages that life is about building one career, one passion, one goal — and then you’re done.
What I am experiencing, as well as many women I know, is that life keeps evolving, and I keep evolving too.
I’ve discovered there is really no such thing as “done.”
There is always something new to learn and new experiences to have.
That’s what a bucket list is about! I’ve had a bucket list since I was 4 years old.
I add new items as quickly as I tick off the ones I’ve accomplished. At 66 I am still doing so!
There are may ways we are inspired to start something new: suggestions from friends, teachers or family; taking a course; traveling; meeting new people.
And sometimes we must confront an unexpected situation that gives you no choice but to “reinvent” yourself.”
If you are over 50 you may have noticed your age does not stop you from continuing to live your life and taking on the challenges and adventures that come your way.
So if you are feeling stumped regarding what’s next…
Ignore your negative voice and listen to your positive one.
We all have many voices in our heads. The positive voice says: “I’m full of energy and enthusiasm, and I want to do something new!”
But the negative voice says: “No, I can’t, I’m old, I am past my prime. I will look silly doing that. Act my age.”
Well, if you’ve been reading my posts, you know I believe the phrase “the prime of life” is just a myth.
There is no peak. Every present moment is the prime of your life. You are there now!
Think of life in stages.
We’re handed this false idea that as you get older, you become a faded version of what you were before.
My experience is, as time goes by, I continue to develop a new version of myself.
Every time I enter a new stage of life, I am like a butterfly coming out of another cocoon.
Every stage is like a new birth, a new beginning, a new opportunity.
Do you remember when you were a kid, and at age six you couldn’t wait to be 7; when you were 18, you couldn’t wait to be 21? You looked forward to what was next, even if you had no clue what that may be.
That enthusiasm for life does not have to stop at any age. You can keep looking forward to the next stage of your life as long as you live.
Take a personal inventory.
Take the challenge and see what happens. Sit down with a pen and paper, and take inventory of your positive qualities. Everything you are proud of.
Your character, ethics, morals, knowledge, skills, challenges, experiences, adventures, triumphs, failures, apologies, advice.
List what you have survived. Sit in your wisdom.
Listen to your intuition and acknowledge all that you have accumulated from living life.
Then list of the qualities you had 20 years ago. How do those lists compare?
The most recent one will be longer.
You have added to all the qualities and experiences you had when you were younger. You have only gotten better!
We become more as time goes on, not less.
Relish in the unknown
Not knowing what is next is part of the thrill and excitement of the future.
Share your feelings with your loved ones, family, and friends. You are not alone. Allow for possibilities to unfold.
Celebrate and have gratitude for your life. Let it surprise you and delight you. After all, what else is there to do?