Your Magenta Monday Magic.
I repeat, this is NOT a crisis!
Let me explain what I mean! Last month, during my weekly meeting with my marketing partner, we were working on search engine optimization, trying to figure out what wording would best help people find me. And I have to say that what we discovered was actually a little disturbing! Interestingly, for women midlife brain fog is real, and it appears to be a crucial topic that resonates with many. We realized that incorporating this keyword into our content and website could be a valuable strategy to reach and assist women experiencing this phenomenon. Understanding the challenges they face and providing helpful resources could make a significant impact on their lives.
It turns out that these are the top keywords midlife women use when searching for support:
Midlife crisis women
Midlife crisis in women
What is a midlife crisis for a woman?
The term ‘midlife crisis’ was coined back in 1965 by Elliott Jacques, a Canadian psychoanalyst and organizational consultant, as a way of labeling the period of life when we begin to grapple with our own mortality. For one reason or another the term stuck in our collective vocabulary…. But what does it really mean?
If you do an internet search using the term ‘midlife crisis’, you’ll find all kinds of articles and resources like: “Midlife crisis: signs, symptoms and tips for coping” or “17 signs you’re having a midlife crisis.” And I’m sure you have your own ideas about what a midlife crisis it, but for me, it conjures up images of a balding, middle-aged man speeding around in a sports car with a hot babe in the passenger seat, as he tries to fight the inevitable and hold on to the past for dear life.
But when I saw the term show up repeatedly in the context of women searching for support, I had a very strong, visceral reaction. When I paused for a moment and thought about it, I realized it was all about the use of the word ‘crisis’. Interestingly, a woman's midlife crisis is a phrase that seems to have gained popularity, but it may not fully capture the complexity of their experiences during this life stage. Instead, it could be more beneficial to use terms like "midlife transition" or "midlife exploration" to provide a more accurate and empowering representation of the diverse challenges and opportunities that women encounter during this phase of life.
‘Crisis’ implies there is something ‘wrong’ or ‘broken’ or ‘needing to be fixed’. And that doesn’t sit well with me because there is nothing wrong with us, as women, at this stage of life.
To make matters worse, I realized that there are all kinds of women out there who think they are having a midlife crisis because it’s the only terminology we’ve been given to explain what we’re feeling at this point in our lives.
Well … I call bull s*&t.
It’s NOT a midlife crisis!
What we’re actually facing right now, as women, is our time for midlife transformation.
And rather than having to DO anything differently, what I will be talking about this month is shifting the way we LOOK at this time of life.
This month is all about moving away from worry, doubt, and fear, and into excitement for the transitions that come next. Because with the right thinking, you CAN shift into positive anticipation for the transformation you’re about to undergo. For some women, midlife brings about a unique challenge known as "women midlife brain fog," which can impact their clarity and focus. However, by acknowledging and addressing this phenomenon, you can better navigate through this phase and embrace the changes with a clearer perspective and newfound enthusiasm. Embracing self-awareness and seeking support from others who have experienced similar challenges can make this transformational journey even more empowering and fulfilling.
Monday Mindshift
It’s the 1° shift that makes the biggest difference over time.
Rather than being a specific activity to do, or action to take, this Monday’s Mindshift involves shifting your mindset – it’s all about making the transition out of the way you might be thinking about midlife and developing a new way to look at it.
“People may call what happens at midlife ‘a crisis’, but it’s not. It’s an unraveling – a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re ‘supposed’ to live. The unraveling is a time when you are challenged by the universe to let go of who you think you are supposed to be and to embrace who you are.” Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
No matter what transition you are going through right now – sending your kids off to college, experiencing change in your relationships, the ups and downs of menopause, caring for aging parents, menopause or planning for retirement – it can feel a bit like you’re on an emotional roller coaster as you contemplate what’s next.
Did I mention menopause?
If you feel a little wobbly at times, it makes sense – your fears, shoulds, doubts, and stories are likely driving the bus.
It takes time to deprogram and disempower the negative beliefs you have been carrying around for decades. So be gentle with yourself. Be patient. And above all, know this:
There is NOTHING wrong with you. There is nothing broken. There is nothing that needs to be fixed.
Join me this month as we explore this concept by talking about the relationship between transition and transformation, the discomfort of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and how being brave is a critical piece of this journey.
Living BRIGHTer is...
B - Be Brave
R - Cultivate Relationships
I - Live with Intention
G - Practice Gratitude
H - Prioritize Health
T - Live your Truth
What is Magenta?
The color magenta is one of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
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