Give yourself permission to be you—the real, authentic you, the you that brings you joy and happiness.
Recently, I read an interview with Maria Shriver. She talked about how, after her divorce, she was seeking answers to who she was, what she wanted, and what her future looked like. During this journey, she realized she was seeking permission to “go out and become Maria.”
This statement struck a chord with me, helping me understand a similar journey I experienced during menopause and a difficult divorce.
Midlife and beyond can be a challenging time for many women, but also it can be a beautiful time of self-discovery. Sometimes, to grow and change, we need to break down the barriers we've constructed to protect ourselves or fit in and rebuild our lives from scratch.
Sole Sister Ramblers celebrates the joys of midlife and beyond, and we hope to redefine the negative dialogue associated with aging. Part of that is abandoning terms like “midlife crisis” and instead focusing on the positive transformations that happen during this time of our lives. Perhaps we can think of this as a “midlife revolution.”
Prior to this difficult period in my life, I created a version of myself based on what was expected of me by others and society. Underneath this persona, I was hiding the person I truly wanted to be but was scared to explore. I was stuck in a walled box I had created out of fear of what others (especially my children) would think.
But I found myself at a crossroads, and these difficult times gifted me with an opportunity to give myself permission to “go out and become Jane”—to discover the version of myself I had always wanted to be.
The process was, at times, painful, confusing, and doubt-ridden, but the maturity and wisdom of middle age gave me the confidence to dig in and explore how I wanted to live the last decades of my life.
As I maneuvered through the transformation, I was blessed with the support of a small but fiercely loyal group of girlfriends. There is nothing more empowering and life-sustaining than female friendship.
You don't need an upheaval to give yourself permission to live your authentic life, and no one can tell you when the time is right for you to discover your true self and live authentically—perhaps you already are.
And so, my Sole Sisters, as you ramble through your week, permit yourself to be you. The real, authentic, beautiful version of you that fills your heart with joy!
Authenticity is the daily practice
of letting go of who we think
we are supposed to be and
embracing who we are. - Brene Brown
READ MORE > Jane's Mindful Musings, Rambler Cafe Blog.
Thank you so so much for your blog and uplifting reminders. I like this one especially because I never gave it thought specifically to who am I. Though I’m still married our marriage has changed over time and now as empty nesters and different health situations, I have not adjusted as well as he. I too have lost friendships and still sort of struggle questioning why and ask what I did wrong vs some have grown apart, some I let go due to toxicity and some where too churchy and self righteous. Sole sisters have given me permission and insight on how to move forward. It’s lonely sometimes but it’s ultimately up to me.
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