Phases of Discovery
An article crossed my path this week that called out six distinct phases of midlife discovery and I thought it would be interesting to share.
I believe there is absolutely a process to getting from where this transition in our lives begins and comes (hopefully) to a peaceful resolution, but I’d never seen it broken down in just this way.
Here are the phases that this author outlines:
1) Identity rediscovery
2) Navigating doubts and desires
3) Seeking empowerment through change
4) Embracing emotional transformation
5) Rediscovering strength and joy
6) Integration and celebration
Where do you think that you are sitting right now in this journey?
I think most of us hang in phases one and two for a very long time. Feeling restless or down, not being sure exactly why, judging ourselves, questioning choices and kind of wondering where we go next.
It’s a hard place to be.
If we’re lucky, we begin to see some possibilities for ourselves, but then the flood of insecurity arises. The fear of change, the possibility of someone’s judgement, the terror of making a mistake that we can never repair (which is really a list much shorter than we imagine).
And sadly, for many of us, that is where the thoughts about rediscovery end - because we have never been taught why our brain focuses so much on fear and demotes the possibility of the beautiful things that could be on the other side of just a little more courage. Don’t miss that the list closes with strength, and joy and CELEBRATION!
If you are in the early stages of this journey and feeling overwhelmed - let this article be a reminder that the discomfort is a part of the process. It is the breaking open that pushes us to just maybe, something better than we’ve even imagined.
Read more in…
