Turning Point After 40
You hit 40, and something shifts. Then you hit 45 and realise that life remained the same since the shift you felt at 40.
Maybe life looks good on paper — the career, the family, the home.
Or not, no family, you’re alone, no children, or no home you own. We all have different circumstances to navigate.
Regardless, if deep inside, a quiet voice asks, “Is this it?” — you’re not alone.
For many women, midlife marks a powerful pivot point — a moment to reassess, realign, and discover what truly matters.
Maybe to build a life you have always wanted but never had a chance.
So, let’s forget the stereotypes of a “midlife crisis”.
What you’re experiencing might be a midlife awakening.
And the truth is, rediscovering your purpose after 40 can be one of your life’s most liberating and fulfilling chapters.
Let’s explore how.
Why Purpose Often Feels Elusive in Midlife
I don’t know about you, but my life often felt confined to running around a dormant volcano that erratically exploded on many occasions.
Midlife comes with transitions — some subtle, others seismic.
If you have children, they grow up.
The career path you once chased no longer excites you.
Health starts whispering for your attention — it certainly did for mine.
And the roles you’ve identified with for decades — caregiver, employee, partner — may begin to shift or fade.
You might wake up one morning with everything you once thought you wanted, yet feeling strangely unfulfilled, or even empty.
This sense of disconnection is not failure — it’s feedback. I’ve had to re-learn this concept, but it makes more sense now.
It’s your soul calling you to evolve, explore, and expand beyond what you thought was possible.
Signs You’re Ready for a Purpose Reset
Not sure if you’re in a season of rediscovery?
Here are a few telltale signs:
You feel restless, even though everything looks “fine”.
You have a growing desire to create, give back, or build something meaningful.
You find yourself reminiscing about old passions or daydreaming about new possibilities.
What once felt fulfilling now feels more like routine than joy.
These aren’t signs of confusion — they’re clues. Clues that life is urging you to find a strong why to not only keep going but reach new heights. Purpose begins where curiosity meets action.
The Power of Reflection and Release
To rediscover your purpose, you first need to pause and reflect. For me, it started when I finally left my last desk-job to pursue something completely different. I didn’t dive into another major responsibility. Instead, I gave myself a few months to completely accept and understand myself, where I was in life, whether or not it was a life I had always wanted, and if not, what changes I needed to make to get there.
The truth is my body was screaming for a mental and bodily reset. I had to stop everything that I was doing up to that point. If you’re experiencing something similar, pause and press the reset button.
Not to judge where you’ve been, but to understand it.
Ask yourself:
Who have I been living for?
What lights me up now — not ten years ago?
What dreams did I have back then that are still trying to find their way to materialise?
What beliefs about success or ageing am I ready to let go of?
Am I paying enough attention to myself?
Have I let myself go in the process of putting others first?
Does my social circle support and accept my identity, or am I just conforming?
Is my job fulfilling, or am I settling for paying the bills?
I admit some of these questions are pretty challenging, but I’ve learnt that letting go is as important as discovering.
Release outdated definitions of success.
Release the fear of starting over.
Release the need to rush.
Release the need to please.
Release childhood trauma.
Release old conditioning.
This space creates room for something new to take root.
Reconnecting with What Lights You up
Many of us buried our joy under responsibility. But your passions haven’t disappeared — they’ve been just waiting.
Try revisiting what once made you lose track of time. Was it writing? Gardening? Helping others? Learning languages? There’s no expiration date on what makes your heart come alive.
Experiment with curiosity. Sign up for a class. Start a passion project. Start a blog like this one. Journal daily.
Purpose often returns not with a bang, but a whisper. It is our choice to listen.
Let’s look at Karen’s example: Karen, a 45-year-old former HR manager, rediscovered her love for painting during lockdown. She realised that not having to go through crazy and long daily commutes positively affected her body and mind. Secretly, she always embraced her creative side, but put it on hold for decades to pursue a more socially acceptable career. However, that gentle whisper coming from within never receded. Today, she runs an online art studio and mentors other midlife women to embrace creativity.
Turning Purpose Into Action
Finding purpose isn’t just about thinking deeply — it’s about moving forward, one step at a time. It’s about saying ‘enough is enough’ to what doesn’t serve you, and saying a loud and courageous ‘yes’ to the adventure ahead.
Here’s how to start:
Test and try — volunteer in areas that excite you. Start a blog like this. Join a mastermind.
Build habits. Create morning routines that reconnect you with yourself, such as meditating and journaling.
Connect intentionally. Surround yourself with people who are also evolving, learning, and dreaming. It’s seriously one of the most critical aspects of the process!
Purpose grows through aligned action. Don’t wait to “figure it all out” — clarity comes through motion.
Mindset Shifts for Purpose-Driven Living
To thrive after 40, you’ll need to unlearn a few things:
Age is not a limitation — it’s a launchpad. I still can’t believe what my chronological age is; my soul is so young! So, be young on the outside! Who says you cannot? When you’re starting with wisdom and perspective, you’re already one step ahead.
Failure is a feedback. Trying something new at 40+ isn’t risky — it’s brave. Oh my, the number of times I’ve heard “you left your great city carefree to earn a living as a content creator, are you crazy?” Let them.
Purpose is fluid. It will grow and evolve as you do. And that’s a good thing. With more wisdom comes more clarity.
Life opens up beautifully when you stop chasing perfection and start choosing alignment.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
There is no “too late” when it comes to purpose. You’re not starting from scratch — you’re starting from experience. However hard your life has been, being here, sharing this space and positive energy with other like-minded women, the high vibration of that collective mindset are starting points.
Whether you’re exploring new ideas, reigniting old dreams, or simply getting curious about what’s next, know this: midlife isn’t the end of your story — it’s the beginning of your next great chapter.
And I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way!
📩 “The 40+ Diaries” -> Join my free newsletter designed for women redefining success after 40.
For DISCLAIMER please refer to the footer section.