Mid-life Muse

Tiffany finding her midlife muse.  Hire her as your midlife life coach!

I explored finding a mid-life muse leading up to my 40th Birthday.  I spent months interviewing successful friends for a series on my personal blog called Finding Your Muse, hoping to find purpose in an empty nest and new phase of life.

This time frame coincided with the real estate crash of 2008. It was a clear sign I needed to find my muse in a logical way. So, I quit real estate, sold my fancy car and went to Costa Rica for a month.  I was experiencing a crisis.  Unfortunately, MY muse was elusive!

BTW: thinking that a 40th birthday meant mid-life is adorable!  😉

Midlife Muse Found In A Shift

Many of my mid-life friends have shared that they noticed a definable shift at this stage of life.  In my recent article Are You Zesty, I explored three things seasoned women know.  I’d like to add a seasoned woman understands mid-life is a mindset, not a crisis.  

One friend shared that she developed a “F-U” attitude, finally giving herself permission to devote time and energy to herself.  Can anyone relate???

Wether your life has been devoted to family demands or a demanding career, you realize life has shifted.  You have more time and financial freedom than you once did.  Unfortunately this shift shows up as an identity crisis.  How do you get in touch with who you are and what you really want??? Spoil alert… you don’t have to travel far.

WELL, you don’t have to sell your fancy car and go to Costa Rica.  That would be crazy. 😉

Leading up to my 50th birthday, my muse found me in a mindset shift.  There is an enormous difference between my desperate approach to my 40th birthday and my quiet, reflective approach to my upcoming 50th birthday.  

A couple mindset shifts worth considering:   

1. You create YOUR identity

At times I found my identity in my family and friends or as an entrepreneur.  I am fiercely proud of my roots.  I am equally devoted to my wings and will unapologetically promote flying free!   

Cue Jessica Andrews’ Who I am video… 

I also have a pattern of looking for my identity in the opinions of others.  Good Lord, as a young homemaker living in the south my identity was wrapped up in a clean home.  I made my family nuts trying to clean up after them.  Last year I uncovered an unhealthily thought that was wrecking havoc on my identity.  I naively blamed the thought, “I don’t have the IT factor” for some of my business failures.  These stories did not serve me! 

You get to decide what thoughts you feed your mind daily.  I have noticed most people are totally unaware of what they think about themselves.  Do you realize you literally create who you are by what you think, consciously or unconsciously? 

A mid-life shift is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with what you really want.  Who do you want to BE?  What do you want to think about?  How do you want to feel?  How do you want to show up in life?  What skills do you need to learn or interests do you want to explore?  What ever you invest in NOW will create your future.  You might as well be intentional about it!  

2. Current trajectory is your future

Your future is not created in the past.  Many people limit their future based on what they were able to accomplish in the past.  Truly, your current situation has been created by the habits and the beliefs you developed over the years.  The good news is that YOU have the power to change the trajectory of your life by changing your habits and creating new beliefs!  

Mid-life is not time to take life for granted.  Be patient with yourself, but don’t wait for a written invitation.  Your future self will thank you!  

You are not alone

You are not alone in a mid-life shift.  If I can make this shift, you can too!  

“Most people find themselves flying too close to the ground.  Too often we don’t give ourselves permission to soar!” Price Pritchett

Give yourself permission to soar.  Choose to embrace mid-life by finding your muse in a mindset shift.  

I’ve enjoyed coaching many women who are ready to create a life on their terms!  I’d love the opportunity to help you get in touch with your midlife muse.  Read Three Reasons To Hire A Life Coach. Then schedule you FREE consultation!

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!  

I get knocked down… but I get up again!

Week #3 topic: What is some things you have done but previously thought you could never do? It took me several days to figure out what I would share, then it finally hit me at 4:30 this morning when I woke up singing, “I get knocked down, but I get up again” by ChumbawambaVEVO. (cool name)

I GET KNOCKED DOWN – take a second to listen.

Finding My Muse

A couple years ago I devoted a series on my personal blog, Doing Life Being Tiff, called Finding My Muse Interviews. I had just stepped back from a career as a REALTOR in Ohio and was lost. I loved real estate, but the market had tanked. In the past I had wore several hats as a volunteer and attempted a variety of direct sales companies, but my heart had always been wearing my hat as a stay at home Mom. A “job” I absolutely LOVED and knew I was meant to BE. My children were grown and had become fiercely independent as I had always hoped they would, although heartbreaking at the same time. I was searching for an occupation that embodied my passions and would excite and challenge me every morning. Thankfully, I have a completely supportive spouse who encourages me not to settle. Jeff is a wonderful cheerleader who believes in me. I had also surrounded myself with strong, successful women who love their careers. Finding My Muse interviews was an idea birthed out of a necessity to find what I should BE when I grew up. I learned that the key to their success required pressing into a passion. I longed to find my muse, something I could be passionate about.

I always knew I would own and operate my own business. As a little girl, I believed owning a business was how you became rich. Funny! The reality of owning a business is quite different from my childhood expectations. The truth is that it requires fortitude of spirit. An attribute I definitely possess. I frequently get knocked down in pursuit of the American dream.

 Fast forward.

I woke up this morning thinking of all the times I had got knocked down while testing various business ideas. My stack of business cards reminds me of all my attempts and failures at finding my muse. I always press into an idea until it is obvious that it isn’t the right fit, which usually requires a complete knock down. Insert a smile. 😉 I am so happy that I kept on getting up again. I wake up every morning with an adventure awaiting me.

{Hence my internal alarm clock waking me up at 4:30 this morning}

Flown The Coop allows me to pursue a passion for rescuing and repurposing cool junque, and gives me a platform to inspire creativity and a zest for life. I encourage you to press into your passions in spite of the inevitable knock downs. It is worth it.

I’d love to hear about how you found your muse. Leave a comment or join the conversation on the Flown The Coop Facebook Page. I love the inspiration I get from your stories.

 ~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing YES in the sky!

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