Dr Claire Kaye shares how there’s always time to reinvent your career or start a whole new one using your passions and existing skills.
Words: Dr Claire Kaye. Images: Shutterstock
As a career and confidence coach, I’ve worked with hundreds of women, and in the last few years, I’ve noticed an exciting shift. More and more women in their 50s, 60s and 70s are reaching out, often with a bit of hesitation, wondering whether I can work with them. My answer? Absolutely, yes!
These women aren’t wanting to slow down – they’re gearing up. They are wanting to launch businesses, switch careers, embrace new challenges, rekindle passions, learn new skills, rediscover their purpose and find fulfilment in midlife and beyond.
Back in 2021, Davina McCall’s documentary Sex, Myths and Menopause finally got people talking about menopause in a way that felt open, honest, and long overdue. Suddenly, women felt empowered to ask for the right support and take control of their health. The “Davina effect” has been transformational, and while there’s still a long way to go, things are moving in the right direction.
But while there has been a lot of focus on menopause itself, we seem to have overlooked an equally important question: what comes next?
I often hear younger women say they’re dreading menopause, fearing that life grinds to a halt afterwards. But I see the opposite happening every day. Midlife isn’t an ending; it’s often the beginning of something bigger. Women are stepping up, rediscovering themselves, and leaning into new challenges with a fresh sense of purpose. And more often than not, they like what they find.
I truly believe we’re at the start of a powerful shift, one where midlife women are stepping into their next chapter with confidence like never before.
The renowned actor and activist, Jane Fonda, is a testament to the power of reinvention. In her recent Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards speech, she showed the world that even in her 80’s she’s just getting started. After turning 50, Jane returned to acting, became a best-selling author, racked up multiple awards, and took on activism in a big way. Now, she’s proving that age is no obstacle.
Closer to home, one of my recent clients in her mid-50s, had just returned to her teaching role after finishing her cancer treatment. Her confidence was at rock bottom, and she was utterly exhausted emotionally and physically. She felt like she had nothing left to give and was seriously considering early retirement. But deep down, there was a small part of her that felt she “wasn’t done yet.”
Over the next six months, we worked together to rediscover her voice, rebuild her confidence and explore new opportunities. She was surprised at the changes she saw in herself and the freedom it gave her. She decided she didn’t want to leave teaching, instead she reshaped it to work for her. She focused on the parts of her work that she loved, let go of the things that drained her, and designed a career and life that felt right for her. She felt visible, in control, and clear about what she wanted from the next phase of her life.
For so many women, the biggest barriers to embracing this stage are guilt for wanting more, and fear of not knowing how to make it happen. The good news is that making a shift is easier than you think. With the right mindset, a bit of courage, and the power of your experience, you can create a future that truly excites you!
Dr Kaye’s tips
Don’t think the answers but write them down – it helps to create deeper and more focused thinking.
- Give yourself permission: You don’t need anyone else’s approval to explore what’s next for you. Allow yourself to let go of the guilt and fear and dream a little.
- Explore what lights you up: Think of a time when you had a really great day. What was it about that situation that brought you joy? Try to be as specific as you can. Once you know what lights you up try to bring more of this into your day-to-day life.
- Edit your life: Look at your life: are there commitments, routines, or even relationships that drain you? Try allowing yourself to move away from the things that deplete you or don’t serve you anymore. Instead, move towards the people and things that energise you.
- Reignite old passions. What did you love doing in the past? Could it bring you joy again? It doesn’t have to be a big leap. Start small. Pick up that book, dust off the paintbrush, sign up for the class, or carve out 10 minutes for something that makes you feel like you again. Think of one thing you could do today.
- Take action. Confidence doesn’t magically appear, it builds when you take small, brave steps outside your comfort zone. Try saying yes to new things, take a risk (even if it’s a small one) and start to use your voice more.
- Find your people: Everything feels easier when you surround yourself with people who support and lift you up. Seek out communities where you feel inspired and understood. That could be a local group, an online network, people at work or even reconnecting with old friends who share your passions. When you’re surrounded by the right people, change feels exciting rather than daunting.
Dr Claire Kaye is a career and confidence coach and a former award-winning GP. She helps women to rediscover their confidence, find clarity and take back control. Visit drclairekaye.com and Instagram.com/drclairekayecoaching
