Midlife Women: choose the lifestyle that works for you

The great thing about women reaching midlife is that they often have the opportunity to change their lifestyle to suit them.

Back in the 1980s

When we were younger there were too many demands and expectations on us. In the 1980s women began to have careers but were expected to wear make-up, pencil skirts and high heels. Looking back it really was an atrocious state of affairs.

Juggling career and family was difficult at best and impossible at worst. The idea of women ‘having it all’ left many stressed out and exhausted!

Midlife women from the age of 50 plus

From the age of 50 plus, when the nest is empty (or perhaps, like me, you chose not to have children) you may finally have the headspace to think:

What do I want out of life?

Many choose self-employment, working from home. And this is what I decided to do. I was fed up with commuting, long hours and office politics. Numbers of women choosing this route have increased considerably in recent times.

There are many benefits of working from home.

It is so time efficient! These days I devote at least one day a week to art, which is another creative passion of mine. I also find time to walk in nature. Those that follow me, will know I walk at the glorious Ickworth Park at least four times a week.

This kind of lifestyle – doing what you love and taking time out to look after your health - is so much better for you!

In the novel I will be publishing in May, Life Beyond the Garden Gate, the main character, Caroline is 56 when we meet her in 2023.

She married young and lived in London where she carved out a career as a copywriter in one of the big advertising agencies. When she had her daughter, her husband’s career continued as normal while hers took a back seat. Her employer sacked her for being unreliable.

She then becomes a self-employed copywriter and works form home building up a lucrative business. Just when she is enjoying life in London, her husband’s job moves to Suffolk. You can guess what happens next.

At 56, we find Caroline enjoying her part time work as an editor and looking after her granddaughter from time to time. Her husband is five years older than her and has chosen to retire. Selfishly he wants her to retire too.

You will be pleased to hear that Caroline fights back!

This is just one of the themes explored in my novel: midlife women making considered lifestyle changes to suit them.

What has been your experience? I would be fascinated to know if you tried to 'have it all' in the 1980s?

Life Beyond the Garden Gate

will be published in May.

In the meantime you can head to my Amazon Author page to see details on the six novels I have published.

https://tr.ee/Gill_Buchanan_Amazon