So here I am. Officially 50. And y’all… this feels nothing like what I expected.
My son keeps calling me “half a century old” and cracking himself up. He’s not wrong. But here’s the thing – I don’t feel old. I feel like I’m just getting started. This milestone that I thought would make me feel like I was slowing down? It’s doing the complete opposite.
When 50 Looked Different
Growing up, when I thought about being 50, I pictured the Golden Girls. And if you remember that show, Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche were supposed to be women in their 50s. But they looked like grandmothers (or what we considered to be grandmothers).
The whole “over the hill” narrative was everywhere. Women hitting 50 were expected to slow down, fade into the background, be “frigid”, maybe take up gardening and call it a day.
That’s not what’s happening here. Not even close.
The Confidence I Didn’t Know Was Coming
Here’s something nobody told me about turning 50 – you suddenly stop caring about all the noise.
That internal voice that’s been whispering your whole life? It gets LOUD. And all those external voices telling you what you should be? They fade.
I’m speaking my truth louder. Taking up space without apologizing.
This isn’t a midlife crisis. This is midlife clarity.
Turns out there’s actual research on this. Studies show that women’s confidence increases with age, surpassing men’s by the time we hit our 50s. We stop shrinking ourselves to fit into spaces that weren’t built for us. We start building our own tables.
The Hormones Are Real (But So Is Everything Else)
Let’s keep it real – these hormones are doing their own thing. Perimenopause is a full-time job some days. Hot flashes show up uninvited. Mood swings too. My body’s changing in ways I didn’t expect.
But here’s what else? I FEEL like I’m aging backwards. Working out three days a week. Figured out how to nourish my body without medication – for now. Collagen, creatine, magnesium, vitamin D, good food. I’m in my no effs given era, and it feels amazing.
Worth it? Absolutely.
More women over 50 are embracing menopause not as a disease but as an empowering stage of life where, with the right approach, we can step into our power and thrive Beautiful Midlife. When you understand your body and give it what it needs, everything changes.
This Is Natalie Time
For years, I managed everyone else’s story. I showed up for my family, my career, my community. And I loved it – I still do.
But something shifts at 50. You realize life is ever changing, and different questions start coming up.
What do I want now? What actually lights me up?
This is finally understanding that you can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s time to fill yours up.
Career Reinvention Is Real
Here’s something that might surprise you. We’re not slowing down in our careers. We’re pivoting, reinventing, and thriving.
Three years ago, I took a leap that terrified me. I left the security of corporate life and opened my own consulting business. Twenty-five years of HR expertise, countless connections, a whole lot of faith in myself. Was I scared? Absolutely. Did people think I was crazy for starting something new at this stage? Some did.
But you know what? That business is thriving now. Because at this age, you know what you bring to the table. You understand your worth. You’re not interested in playing small anymore.
Look around. Women our age are starting businesses, changing industries, launching podcasts, writing books. I’ve been creating content for over 12 years, building community, and now running a business that lights me up every single day. I feel like I’m just warming up.
What We’re Proving
We’re rewriting the narrative about what 50 looks like. We’re not invisible. We’re not irrelevant. We’re not “past our prime.”
There’s a whole movement happening. Women are recognizing what no longer fits, reflecting on purpose, and moving toward aligned action. We’re reclaiming our stories.
Women over 45 are challenging workplace cultures and demanding flexibility. We’re refusing to settle for “good enough.” We’re showing the next generation that ambition doesn’t have an expiration date.
The Freedom to Choose
One of the biggest gifts of turning 50 is finally having the freedom to choose. Maybe your mortgage is paid down. Maybe your kids are grown. Maybe you’ve built up enough savings or equity to take risks you couldn’t before.
This autonomy changes everything. You can walk away from toxic work environments. You can say no to opportunities that don’t align with your values. And when you say yes? It’s deliberate and powerful.
Looking Forward, Not Back
Turning 50 isn’t about looking back at what I’ve lost. It’s about looking forward at what’s possible.
I’m grateful for the journey. The wrinkles are proof I’ve laughed. The wisdom streaks (yes, that’s what I call my grey hairs) show I’ve lived.
Fifty isn’t slowing me down – it’s launching me forward.
Final Thoughts
So here’s to Chapter 50. Here’s to writing it exactly how I want, betting on myself, speaking my truth.
If you’re approaching this milestone or already in it, know this – we’re redefining what 50 means. We’re showing up bold and unapologetic.
And beautiful people? That energy is contagious. Let’s keep inspiring each other and reminding the world that 50 isn’t the end of anything. It’s just the beginning of our most powerful chapter yet.
