With a son in matric and enrolled for university the following year, a daughter preparing for her wedding, and a home loan still to pay off, Brandon felt like he was stuck on an emotional roller coaster. He was faced with the reality of having no formal credentials and slim prospects of finding another job at his previous salary level. But instead of letting fear take over, Brandon turned this curveball into an opportunity—choosing to start his own business and face the challenges of self-employment in midlife.Navigating retrenchmentBrandon’s first reaction when he heard of his retrenchment...
Rebuilding in Midlife: Moving, Empty Nest, and a New Career
Nicola had to redefine herself, not just as a mother but as a professional. With so much uncertainty, she tapped into her wisdom, leaned into her passions, and found a way to navigate these life transitions to emerge stronger with a new sense of purpose in her life and work.Navigating Personal and Family TransitionsThe move from Johannesburg to the Midlands was a major shift for Nicola and her family. With her husband commuting and two of their three children in boarding school, her role as a full-time mother and wife was suddenly very different. “It was a dark time, as family routines...
Embracing Midlife – A Journey of Reinvention and Possibility
Midlife is perhaps the most misunderstood phase of life, often overshadowed by outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. But this phase really holds the biggest potential for growth, fulfilment, and a new beginning.Introducing My Latest eBookI am so happy to share my latest eBook, 10 Midlife Myths & the Truths Behind Them, with you. This eBook is more than just a guide – it’s an invitation to see midlife as a period of reinvention, recalibration, and immense possibility.Reflecting on my midlife journeyI’ve always believed in the mantra, ‘If you leave your life to chance, you will end...
A Second Career in Midlife
The Unexpected ShiftMagnus always knew he never wanted to retire in the traditional sense – to him, retirement was an outdated concept. His planning revolved around extending his work life to keep contributing to meaningful outcomes, engaging with people, and continuing to learn and grow. But, when Magnus’s planned retirement date was unexpectedly brought forward, the transition from a full-time executive role to ‘retirement’ was more challenging than he had ever anticipated.From Theory to RealityAlthough Magnus had ideas for his post-corporate life, they weren’t formulated into specific goals...
Doing Midlife Your Way
Midlife is a time of significant transition. We stand at a crossroads, reflecting on our paths and contemplating the roads that lie ahead. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of changes happening all at once – career shifts, children leaving home, ageing parents, changes in our relationships, the possibility of retirement or a second career, physical changes and health concerns. And it’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of how to proceed when everything seems to change all at once – rarely do we experience only one of these transitions at a time.Frank Sinatra’s timeless lyrics in “I...
The Midlife Myths we tell ourselves, and the Truths we need to embrace
I recently returned from Chip Conley’s Learning to Love Midlife workshop at the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) in Baja. I joined a diverse group from across America and Canada, ages 33 to 70. Starting out, we discovered a midlife myth that we all shared based on this question: What percentage of your adult life is still ahead of you? How would you answer? The point is, once you dispel one Myth, a whole set of Truths opens up to you.Here are the top 3 Midlife Myths and Truths I discovered at MEA:Midlife Myth #1: You are not oldThe fact is, we are living longer. Realising that you might live to 100...
Navigating Inheritance – beyond the money
Gabriella inherited a substantial sum from her husband. They shared a beautiful and deep connection, and his death turned her entire world upside down. As a young widow, apart from navigating the overwhelming loss of her life partner, the sudden windfall left her feeling guilty, overwhelmed, and daunted by the responsibility of these funds.How does one honour a legacy with grace and wisdom? How do you navigate this profound life transition that suddenly feels strange, unfamiliar and filled with new challenges?Introducing GabriellaThe past few years have been profoundly challenging for Gabriella...
Midlife Awakening – Challenging beliefs that don’t serve you
Kathleen is at a crossroads: after a lifetime in a job that did not fulfil her, all while putting her life on hold to focus on saving and investing, she overlooked the joy of living in the present moment. Looking for safety and security, she moved overseas, only to be overwhelmed by the isolation and a profound lack of belonging.Kathleen shares a poignant story that challenges us to reassess our deeply held beliefs and the chapters we fill our lives with.Kathleen’s storyAlthough a creative person with a love for animals, Kathleen pursued a corporate career and spent most of her working...
My Empty Nest Transition
I have shared many courageous midlife reinvention stories with you over the past year: clients who moved cities to edit their lifestyles, clients who ramped up their earning potential, changed careers or started something completely new. Yes, money is an important part of the midlife edit. Not only because you may not have enough to live the life you choose, but also because your priorities may have shifted. What we do know is that we have choices. We can work longer, change course and find renewed meaning in how we earn. Or we may be 100% on track financially, but our life priorities may have...
Not just one retirement chapter
Have you ever dreamed of turning a lifelong passion into a thriving business in retirement? Tersia and Theo did just that. They pursued their shared dream of owning their very own guesthouse and transformed the first act of their second chapter into an entrepreneurial adventure with Game View Lodge. But their dreams extend beyond the present; they plan to eventually sell the lodge and open the door to yet another chapter in their retirement journey.Theo and Tersia at the front door of their Lodge.Introducing Tersia and TheoTersia and Theo lived in Vryburg for many years where Theo headed the...