What if the woman you’re becoming is the best investment you’ll ever make?
Spoiler alert: she is.
Invest in Yourself – Midlife’s Smartest Financial Move
Why the Woman You Become Next is Your Best Investment
The woman you are becoming is the most valuable investment you will ever make. Think about that for a moment. This isn't about splashing out on fleeting trends or unnecessary purchases. This is about a fundamental shift in how you view yourself, your worth, and your future prospects, particularly as you navigate the often-turbulent waters of midlife and menopause.
The Midlife Confidence Dip Is Real
If you're feeling like you've lost your confidence at work, you're not alone. It's a common experience for women over 40, and no, you're not imagining it. Those hormonal shifts during menopause directly impact our confidence levels. As hormone levels drop, brain fog creeps in, and suddenly it seems everyone else is overtaking you professionally.
Your experience will vary depending on your workplace and its demographics, but this phenomenon is remarkably common across many industries. It's entirely natural—but is it discussed as such? Only if you're fortunate enough to work alongside other women of a similar age.
Personal Development Has No Age Limit
Let's be clear: personal development is about YOU. It can happen at any stage of life and is always worth investing in.
Remember that tired saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"? How dull and frankly ridiculous! We're always learning, always evolving, always developing. When our mindset shifts, our skills shift, our development shifts, and our future prospects shift.
It's when we stay stuck that things go pear-shaped. Look at the world around us—it's constantly developing, and we need to move with it.
To my fellow Gen X-ers and Boomers: we invented most of this technology! We started it, so we should take advantage of it rather than being frightened. Setting up online platforms isn't that difficult. If you can speak up at work in front of a group of people, you can certainly master these digital tools.
Where Should You Focus Your Growth?
Our generation was told to pick a career, stay in it, and retire. But those goalposts have shifted dramatically. When can we retire? With increasing life expectancy pushing retirement ages ever higher, the answer is becoming: when we physically cannot work anymore.
Instead of thinking, "I've got this job and I'll stay in it for the next 30-40 years," shift your mindset to, "I've got these skills."
Skill Management Is Key
You can address, change, add to, and develop your existing skills. Think about how many skills you've accumulated in your skill bank over the years—there are loads! Your experiences have equipped you with a treasure trove of abilities that can be redirected and refined.
Money Management Matters
There's a growing demographic of women over 50 finding themselves on their own. This shift means your income and how you allocate your money will likely change. Using your money effectively can dramatically improve how you feel about yourself.
Remember: managing money can cause more stress than managing almost anything else. When you've got enough to pay your bills and live comfortably, everything else becomes easier.
Our Changing Perspective on Time
Our timeline is shrinking, making our time perspective different from what it was in our twenties. When we were younger, we had so much time ahead of us. Now in our fifties and sixties, there's not as much time left—and if things haven't gone to plan, we might feel regret or grief, wondering if we can fix it.
But here's the truth: nothing says you can't become an entrepreneur after 25! There's no rule book declaring entrepreneurship has an age limit. It's about the idea, the commitment to continue the process. The process is what matters.
Self-Advocacy: Ask for What You Deserve
Don't forget to ask for what you want, what you need, and what you deserve. Self-advocacy is something women often neglect because we're too busy looking after everybody else. We nurture—that's what we do—we care for others and forget to care for ourselves. Instead (or rather, as well as), ask for what you need.
Overcoming Fear of Change
The main thing holding us back from change, diversification, or trying something different is fear. We're scared we won't maintain our accustomed lifestyle or retire comfortably. These concerns are valid—scarce women invest far less than men do.
Interestingly, there are industries where women outperform men, though some of these fields may be unfairly stigmatised. Network marketing is a prime example—women excel at it because it leverages our natural strengths in supporting others. There are more female millionaires and billionaires in network marketing than in any other industry.
Finding Your Community
Join a membership group that suits you and aligns with your lifestyle aspirations. For example, I'm part of a travel membership because I love travelling. Through this community, I meet others who share my passion, invite friends to join, travel together and attend events with like-minded people.
This represents my own mindset shift. I travelled solo extensively when I was younger—there's no reason I can't do it now. Many of you likely backpacked across Europe or around the world in your youth and would love to travel again, though perhaps with a bit more luxury this time!
Expanding Your Horizons
If you're keen to use your networking skills, connect with people, or perhaps just travel with select companions, consider exploring opportunities like these. They can boost your confidence, enhance your financial security, and help you make friends within a supportive network.
Remember, investing in yourself at midlife isn't just smart—it's essential. The woman you become next truly is the best investment you'll ever make.
Continuation of Your Menopause Success Journey:
So there you have it—hot flashes, cold cash, and everything in between. If you want to dive deeper into these topics, join me in my Facebook group Menopause Midlife and all the ****. We’re a supportive community of women going through the same thing, and we’re here to help each other through it. The menopause journey is a continuum. From perimenopause and on through into postmenopause, having people who understand and support you is essential. It's not the end of your life's journey; it's a phase, and having the right community can make all the difference.
I make it my mission to support women with their transition along the menopause journey and to signpost to the best financial opportunities for their circumstances. To talk further please use this link to book a call and discuss further support.
If you would like to join a supportive community, please drop me a line here. I love hearing from midlife women going through the menopausal transition.
Pssst, you can also check out my Menopause Midlife and all the ****. It includes a community of women at the same life stage as you.
Click here to take a look at our membership to make every day just that little bit easier.
Are you experiencing financial challenges related to menopause? Drop a message below to learn about our supportive membership community and discover strategies to transform your available time into financial gain while maintaining your lifestyle and wellbeing.
