Does Life Coaching Help Women Over 50 Thrive?
Yes, Life coaching helps women over 50 who are moving into this next stage of life and feeling a bit confused about all the changes taking place, and are unsure how to create new goals and find new possibilities at this time in life.
There is an idea in our culture that women over 50 somehow become less visible, less important, less vibrant, and less attractive as they move into and beyond the 5th decade of life.
This is obviously a completely outmoded stereotype in our modern age, but somehow it still lurks about in our society. Why is this idea of women becoming “less than” at a certain age still somewhat prevalent in spite of so much evidence to the contrary?
Change is slow to happen, and changing ideas about women’s role in society have taken a very long time to evolve. In this day and age women are no longer tied to roles that don’t fit them, and they can make choices about how they want to live their lives at all the various stages.
The life expectancy in the 21st Century has now risen considerably, and both women and men can expect to enjoy another 20 to 30 years of life after age 65. Let’s make the most of those extra years and live our lives to the fullest!
A long life is a gift that more and more of us are able to enjoy, so don’t waste time trying to figure out how to navigate it.
Life Coaching helps women over 50 decide how to move forward and create the lifestyle they desire.
Finding a Life Coach to help you figure it out is an invaluable investment in yourself.
Life Coaching can Help with the Changes Women over 50 face:
There are big changes that occur between the ages of 50 & 60 in most women’s lives. Here are some of the most common:
Menopause: It has been said that the only thing we can count on is death and taxes, but for women there is menopause, which we can definitely count on happening approximately between the ages of 45 to 55.
Some of us look forward to it for the freedom from monthly periods and from fear of pregnancy. Other’s dread it due to the physical effects and the sense of loss of our vitality and attractiveness.
The physical effects of menopause can be very difficult for those of us who endure hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, painful intercourse, and the list goes on. Seeking medical help to deal with these symptoms is necessary in many cases and has shown to be very effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms. Please don’t suffer in silence. Seek the help you need.
The emotional effects of going through menopause can also be very debilitating, and include mood swings, anger, anxiety, and sometimes depression. These issues often strain marital and family relationships. Finding a therapist or Life Coach to offer support and help to navigate these feelings is very valuable and often life changing.
The good news is that menopause comes to an end at some point and the physical discomfort and emotional stress become a thing of the past. Most postmenopausal women find that we can still be active, attractive, and engaged in life as menopausal symptoms fade away.
Empty Nest as children leave home: 
All mothers can relate to having a child grow into adulthood and leave home. We all deal with that transition differently but most of us grieve in some way. We raise our children with the expectation that they will grow up, leave home and create their own lives as adults. But the reality of that transition is difficult for most of us.
We are no longer needed on a daily basis to care for them. They often seek their independence by no longer wanting to be in close contact on a daily basis.
It’s hard to think of our children as no longer needing us on a full time basis. And It is the loss of that “mother” role that makes us sad. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/well/family/how-to-thrive-in-an-empty-nest.html
Mothers of adult children need to find a new purpose and a new set of goals and priorities. Continuing to hover over adult children is not healthy for them or for us and often causes needless conflict. Our children know that we will be there for them when they need us. In the meantime it is best to let them fly!
Renegotiating the Marriage: Children leaving home creates the space for couples to take a look at their marriage and make some changes. Children are often the glue that holds a marriage together during the years spent raising them and focusing on them.
Couples who have a good foundation and are able to renegotiate the new normal in their relationship usually do well and stay together after children are no longer their focus. 
Divorce/Widowhood: Unfortunately, some couples are not able to put their marriage back together after so many years of neglecting their relationship in favor of raising the children. These marriages can lead to divorce, sometimes after 25 or more years of marriage.
Divorce in mid-life after children leave home is very difficult and causes many women to feel lost and alone, and scared about their future. The need for support from family, friends, and professionals , including lawyers, mediators, Life Coaches and therapists is especially important during this time of transition.
When a wife becomes a widow in her 50’s or 60’s her feelings and fears are similar to those experienced by women who go through a divorce. But there are some major differences. The death of a spouse is emotionally devastating for many women who may go through a long grieving process. Adult children are also left to grieve the death of their parent.
The support of family and friends is important for both the widow and her children, as well as hiring professionals to help with the practical issues of starting a new life as a single woman.
Career Changes: Women who have had long and successful careers may begin to feel the effects of “ageism” in the workplace during their 50’s and 60’s and may begin to consider a job or career change. But Many are fearful of making that move and are reluctant to take the risk.
Many others are successful in making that career or job change and find a new and fulfilling position. There are others who want to start their own business in midlife and are ready to take on the challenge.
Retirement/or not:
Making the choice to retire from a fulfilling career is difficult for many women. Some have had successful careers and are reluctant to retire. They may feel if they retire they will lose their purpose and identity. But making that decision can open up a whole host of possibilities for creating a more purposeful and satisfying life.
There are also women who don’t intend to retire because they need the income. There are some who want to retire but not sure when to make that move. All of these decisions are important in figuring out the lifestyle they want to create for themselves as they age.
Body Image Let’s face it and be honest! We all have body image issues as we age, whether we admit it or not. All of a sudden around the age of 50 things begin to change. There are the signs of lines and wrinkles that appear on our faces. Our once thin waists begin to expand. We develop a “muffin top”. Our clothes begin to fit differently.
As time goes on, our bodies begin to sag a bit. We lose some of our strength and stamina, and we develop some aches and pains. It’s all a part of physical aging and accepting these changes is so important for our mental and emotional well being. Accepting Your Aging body After 50
What are the possibilities for your future?
As I said in the beginning of this Blog Post, Life Coaching Helps Women Over 50 Thrive. Are you currently dealing with any of the issues discussed above? Are you unsure about how to create the life you want in this next stage?
Remember, we are so fortunate to be living in a time when many of us have another 20 to 30 years of life after age 65, a recent development in the last 100 years. We owe it to ourselves to live in ways that give us peace, satisfaction, and purpose!
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Life Coaching to aid you in your journey I invite you to schedule a FREE consultation call with me to discuss the possibilities and allow me to answer any questions you may have. https://www.livingbestlifeafter50.com/contact/
