Reinventing Life After 50: 10 Rules We Wrote for Ourselves

We're the women living longer, more productive and powerful lives than any generation before us. We made careers in rooms that weren't built for us, and nobody handed us a map. Nobody's handing us one for this next chapter either, so we're drawing our own.

Nothing has gone wrong. This is what it feels like when one chapter closes before the next one has a title.

1. 01

   We figure it out.

   We came home to an empty house after school. We've been sorting things out ever since.

   I figure it out. I always have.

2. 02

   We say yes on our terms.

   Our time, our energy and our yes are ours to give, and we give them on purpose.

   My yes, my terms.

3. 03

   We stay steady under pressure.

   We carried the mental load and walked into rooms that weren't built for us. We held steady then, and we hold steady now.

   When it gets heavy, I get steady.

4. 04

   We pick our people.

   We don't need more friends. We need the ones who get it.

   I pick my tribe.

5. 05

   We do it anyway.

   Fear can come along for the ride. It doesn't get to drive.

   Scared or not, I do it anyway.

6. 06

   We get older and bolder.

   Our mothers whispered about getting older. We say it out loud and claim every year.

   Every year, I get better and bolder.

7. 07

   We bypass the BS.

   We sniff out what's fake and line up with what's real.

   I trust my gut.

8. 08

   We bounce back.

   We've been knocked down plenty, and we know how to get back up.

   I bounce back. Every time.

9. 09

   We reinvent on purpose.

   We're starting a new chapter, and this time we're designing it our way.

   I choose who I become next.

10. 10

    We go after what we want.

    We're grateful for everything we built. That's exactly why we're building what's next.

    I want it. I go get it.

• You still introduce yourself by what you do, or did, for work.
• You feel quiet pressure to have this next chapter figured out already.
• You're excellent at showing up for everyone else and still learning to show up for yourself.
• You feel a little guilty for wanting more meaning when you already have so much.
• Part of you believes your most important chapter is still ahead.