Navigating Change: The Midlife Journey
Laetitia@Work #76
Hi everyone,
For women, midlife brings an intersection of joy, challenges and hardships, presenting profound transitions that shape not just personal lives but professional paths as well. Often around their mid-40s and 50s, many women find themselves at a crossroads, managing health and bodily changes, shifts in family dynamics, the death of a loved one, career plateaus or reinventions, and grappling with new societal perceptions. As a 46-year-old woman myself, I recognise how these years can feel both empowering and daunting—a moment of reevaluation in light of evolving circumstances.
In many ways, I feel more confident in my career than I ever have before. In my case, I really do feel somewhat wiser as I age (perhaps because I was particularly un-wise as a young woman?): I've learned to be kinder to myself. Professionally, I’ve found my voice and settled into a space where I truly understand my strengths. Yet, when it comes to accepting the changes in my body, I still struggle. I am almost as self-conscious about my body as I was as a teenager 😔
And then, there’s the "curse of knowledge." With every passing year, I’m acutely aware of how ageism could rear its head as I continue to age. I’ve read enough to know how many opportunities can slip away as we grow older, especially for women. It's a quiet fear, knowing how difficult it can be to navigate professional spaces once the perception shifts and youth fades.
The menopause is another layer I can't ignore. Armed with the knowledge of its many possible symptoms, I find myself wondering how it will affect me. Will I be one of the lucky ones who escapes the worst of it? Even more troubling is the awareness that women in their 50s and 60s often speak of becoming “invisible” in the workplace. Will I, too, be rendered irrelevant as the years go on? Will I be able to carve out space for myself, or will the world simply move on without me? These questions loom large in my mind as I reflect on all the challenges that come with navigating midlife.👇
The hidden power of midlife women
For too long, the visibility of women in midlife has been limited, especially in the workplace and the media. Women over 50 have often been subtly sidelined, a phenomenon my friend Sophie Dancourt calls the "convent syndrome." Yet, today, midlife women represent an increasingly powerful demographic. In many countries, women in their 50s and beyond make up nearly half of the female population (they already do in Japan). With this sheer strength in numbers comes an unprecedented opportunity to reshape narratives about ageing, visibility, and influence.
Historically, cultural representations of older women have been sparse and stereotypical. This lack of role models leaves many women without a clear path or inspiration for how to navigate this pivotal stage. However, thanks to evolving media, the digital age is providing a platform for influential voices who resonate with the realities of midlife. A host of new female role models reaching their fifties (Kate Winslet is a personal favourite of mine) or in their fifties are challenging dated stereotypes and offering the women my age new archetypes of power, wisdom and influence… as well as the beginning of an idea of how ageing doesn’t have to come with invisibility. Many women are also claiming their voice online (notably on Instagram), sharing real experiences and building communities that center around midlife issues, health, menopause, personal growth, and, most importantly, self-redefinition.
Age is a malleable notion.
The concept of age itself is evolving. It’s not just a chronological marker but also a fluid identity shaped by societal expectations, biological changes, and self-perception. In today’s world, women in midlife might experience vastly different life situations, from navigating empty nests to managing teenage children, caring for elderly parents, or even taking on new parenthood roles. This “sandwich generation” faces the dual responsibilities of looking after both younger and older generations, often while balancing a career or exploring new professional options.
The gap between biological age and chronological age is profoundly influenced by education. Research consistently shows that higher levels of education are associated with better health outcomes, slower biological ageing, and longer life expectancy. Education shapes access to resources like a healthy diet, healthcare, and knowledge about maintaining well-being, all of which play critical roles in determining how quickly—or slowly—our bodies age.
But this gap is not evenly distributed. As economic inequalities widen, so too does the disparity between biological and chronological age. Those with fewer resources face compounded stressors, limited access to care, and harsher living conditions that accelerate biological ageing. The uneven distribution reflects broader societal divides, where education serves not only as a tool for knowledge but as a buffer against the physical toll of economic hardship and hard labour. As these inequalities grow, the longevity gap deepens, creating a stark divide in how we experience ageing across different socioeconomic groups.
What about menopause?
Menopause is a universal phase of life for nearly all women, yet it remains surrounded by stigma, secrecy, and misinformation. Long treated as a taboo topic, it has often been spoken of only in hushed tones or not at all. While awareness is slowly increasing, much of the conversation is still clouded by outdated ideas, including the persistent effects of a flawed study from over 20 years ago. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to an elevated risk of breast cancer, creating widespread fear. However, more recent research has clarified that for many women—particularly those with severe symptoms or a family history of osteoporosis—the benefits of HRT clearly outweigh the risks when prescribed and monitored appropriately.
HRT isn’t a universal solution, but it’s an option that should be seriously considered by far more women than currently do. For those struggling with harsh symptoms like debilitating hot flashes, insomnia, or mood swings—or those concerned about long-term health risks like osteoporosis—HRT can improve not just daily life but long-term well-being. Women deserve clear, updated information to make informed decisions about their health without unnecessary fear or confusion. Alas many physicians know too little about menopause.
Sadly the way menopause is discussed today often creates even more anxiety. The narrative can sometimes overemphasise menopause as the cause of midlife challenges, suggesting that it’s solely responsible for women leaving the workforce in midlife. This oversimplifies a complex reality, conflating a hormonal transition (which is often manageable with HRT) with other midlife difficulties like divorce or caring for ageing parents. While menopause can be disruptive, it’s important not to let the discourse make us feel powerless! If menopause symptoms are affecting your ability to work—or threatening your financial stability and long-term quality of life—then HRT is an option worth serious consideration. It shouldn’t derail our lives!
Imagine that some significant portion of the male population started regularly waking in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, a problem that endured for several years. Imagine that those men stumbled to work, exhausted, their morale low, frequently tearing off their jackets or hoodies during meetings and excusing themselves to gulp for air by a window. Imagine that many of them suddenly found sex to be painful, that they were newly prone to urinary-tract infections, with their penises becoming dry and irritable, even showing signs of what their doctors called “atrophy.” Imagine that many of their doctors had received little to no training on how to manage these symptoms — and when the subject arose, sometimes reassured their patients that this process was natural, as if that should be consolation enough.
Now imagine that there was a treatment for all these symptoms that doctors often overlooked. The scenario seems unlikely, and yet it’s a depressingly accurate picture of menopausal care for women. (The New York Times)
The quest for meaning and purpose in midlife careers
When it comes to careers and life transitions, menopause is rarely the sole factor. Many other elements contribute to these pivotal crossroads, from personal circumstances like caregiving responsibilities, mourning or relationship changes to professional challenges such as career stagnation or workplace dynamics.
Professionally, midlife is a time when many women seek a renewed sense of purpose. Some are at the height of their careers, managing teams, leading companies, and mentoring younger colleagues. Others feel constrained by an impenetrable glass ceiling compounded by ageism and sexism, struggling to find space for growth within traditional hierarchies. For many, midlife becomes an opportunity for reinvention—a time to finally pursue long-held dreams, start new ventures, or shift to roles that align with personal values and a deeper sense of purpose.
Indeed, many more women over 50 are now entering entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to be free from outdated norms or biases. It is no mere trend. With recent increases in retirement ages (for example in France), women must continue to work longer, often for economic reasons but just as frequently out of a desire to leave a lasting legacy.
Midlife women have to better manage their assets for a longer life
Midlife brings financial realities into sharp focus, especially as women face a retirement gender gap that remains alarmingly wide. Women’s pensions are, on average 40% lower than men’s in France and about the same in the UK (with even larger gaps in some countries, like Germany), exacerbated by career breaks, part-time work for caregiving, and the persistent gender pay gap.
In this context, midlife women often realise the urgency of securing financial independence and stability. The importance of actively managing one’s “assets”—not just in terms of finances but also in health, relationships, and skills—becomes apparent. Maintaining social and professional networks, investing in self-care, and staying relevant through continuous learning are essential strategies for resilience in an evolving work landscape… as they often have to work at an older age than their male counterparts.
Health is another critical asset. While midlife women tend to prioritise the well-being of others (spouse, children, aging parents), it’s crucial to focus on self-care as well. We live longer, but those additional years often come with chronic health issues. Many women, who spent their midlife years as caregivers for others, find themselves aging without anyone to care for them in turn, compounding feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Burnout is a reality for many midlife women, and recognising the toll that work and family responsibilities take on health is a necessary step toward creating a more balanced life.
The intersection of choice and reality
How much choice do we really have? Caring for a child or an aging parent is rarely optional, and choosing not to do so often is neither ethical nor practical. While some feminist narratives suggest stepping away from caregiving altogether, that vision doesn’t align with building a better, more compassionate world. Avoiding a separation or preventing a partner’s behaviour from derailing a marriage isn’t entirely within our control either. So, how much of midlife is about choice and how much is about empowerment?
Honestly, I don’t know. But by thinking about these questions early on, perhaps we can increase the part of life that feels empowering. Small, deliberate actions today can open up possibilities tomorrow. Here are three ideas to consider:
Let Future You Sit at the Table of Decision: When making big life decisions, imagine how they will affect you 10, 20, or even 30 years down the road. Consider whether the choices you make today will support the person you’ll become.
Talk About Money: Discuss finances with friends, family, and neighbours. The more we normalise these conversations, the more knowledge we gain, the more resources we discover, and the stronger the networks of solidarity we build.
Ask for Help and Stop Pretending to Be Wonder Woman: You don’t have to do it all alone. Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an essential survival strategy. Offering help to other women can also foster mutual support and connection.
Midlife challenges may not always feel like a choice, but we can shape how we navigate them. By embracing these transitions with honesty, foresight, and community, we can redefine what it means to live fully and authentically, not just for today, but for the future versions of ourselves.
🎙️ In this new episode of the podcast VISIONS, I speak with Laure Brignone about the invisible work that holds women back. Listen to our conversation (in French) on the specific struggles women face today, from unequal pay to the impact of unpaid caregiving, and hear ideas for improving the future of work (or watch the video). 🎧
💡Check out the latest articles I wrote for Welcome to the Jungle: « C’est une machine » : pourquoi ce faux compliment nuit à vos meilleurs talents, Demande d’augmentation : pourquoi c'est important de ne pas culpabiliser vos salariés, 7 avantages pour faire la différence auprès des métiers non télétravaillables, Fake quitting, resenteeism... ces 10 tendances RH qui bousculent le monde du travail (in French).
🎙️ There is one new Nouveau Départ episode: La nouvelle place des chiens dans nos vies (with Mylène Bertaux) 🎧 (in 🇫🇷). And I started a new series of articles titled Nouveau Départ, Nouveau Travail: Le triomphe de la cacocratie, Travailler dans un monde anxieux, Victoire de Trump : 7 conséquences sur le travail, Retour au bureau : la “sécurité psychologique” a bon dos !, Volkswagen : l’Allemagne va-t-elle enfin tourner la page du XXe siècle ? Subscribe to receive my future podcasts and articles directly in your inbox!
Miscellaneous
🍩 Ozempic Could Crush the Junk Food Industry. But It Is Fighting Back, Tomas Weber, The New York Times, November 2024: “For decades, Big Food has been marketing products to people who can’t stop eating, and now, suddenly, they can. The active ingredient in Ozempic, as in Wegovy, Zepbound and several other similar new drugs, mimics a natural hormone, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), that slows digestion and signals fullness to the brain. Around seven million Americans now take a GLP-1 drug, and Morgan Stanley estimates that by 2035 the number of U.S. users could expand to 24 million. That’s more than double the number of vegetarians and vegans in America, with ample room to balloon from there. More than 100 million American adults are obese, and the drugs may eventually be rolled out to people without diabetes or obesity, as they seem to tame addictions beyond food — appearing to make cocaine, alcohol and cigarettes more resistible. Research is at an early stage, but they may also cut the risk of everything from stroke and heart and kidney disease to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
Navigating midlife is a journey best approached with patience & self-compassion 🤗