How I'm Reinventing My Life After 50

By Cherie Faus Smith

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After being diagnosed with a panic disorder in 2006 and by the suggestion of my physician, I quit my job.  It wasn’t easy for our family since we were a two-income household. 
I felt embarrassed knowing I was letting my husband and our family down. Because of my panic disorder, I became agoraphobic and couldn’t leave my home for a full year. So, I began searching for jobs which allowed me to work from home.

When major shifts occur in our lives, we are given an opportunity to reinvent ourselves.
Since my career as an administrative assistant spanned many years, I found that I was already prepared to offer the same services online. I was fortunate to find a virtual assistant who lived about 30 minutes from my home who was willing to chat with me and share a book she’d written about the field.

I took a leap and started my own virtual assistant company. I’ve been going strong ever since 2007. The work was comfortable, my clients were happy, and my work ethic and accomplishments have brought in plenty of referrals and new work. Yet after 13 years of providing support for my clients, I was yearning to find an outlet for my creative side.
My husband and I were returning home from the grocery store and as we drove through the gorgeous mountainside, I told him that I wasn’t happy in life anymore. It wasn’t that I was unhappy with him or our marriage but instead unhappy with MY life.

He was receptive to hearing why I wasn’t happy. After talking it through with him, I realized that I was looking for a purpose.  I was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee, and now a business owner. 

BUT I was 49 years old at that time and staring 50 in the face. 

Instead of dreading midlife, I wanted to do something different and fun!I remember sitting in our backyard on a swing, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and embracing what life would look like after I turned 50.  I’m an extrovert and absolutely LOVE helping other women so it was only natural for my mind to tune into that part of me that wanted to celebrate being a midlife woman and supporting other women who are going through the same things in life.

At that moment, I knew that something better was coming my way.
I’ve learned two things since that day:

1. Reinventing myself doesn’t mean that I am going to change who I am.
   In fact, it is just the opposite! The idea of reinventing myself is an opportunity to bring out the real me.  I’ve spent so many years supporting my clients and putting my needs last that it’s time for me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things.  One of which is ziplining!  I’m terrified of heights but if I don’t give it a whirl, I’ll regret it when I’m 80 years old.
2. It’s okay to dream big.
   I’d gotten used to playing small.  Perhaps it’s because of my past abusive relationships and didn’t feel worthy of having a beautiful life.  But since turning 50, I've been dreaming big and open to see what the Universe has in store for me.     

The major shifts in my life have always led me to new opportunities. As painful as they were at the time, whether it was losing a loved one, leaving a job, turning another year older, or becoming an empty nester, I’ve tried to see the grace and take hold of opportunities that arise.
As I’m stepping into midlife and taking risks, I invite you to join me.  Let’s embrace fifty together and support one another.

Because I have a passion for supporting women, I created a Facebook Group called Sisterhood of Fabulous and Fearless Women.  Would love for you to join.

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Cherie Faus-Smith

Cherie Faus-Smith is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and mentor to women who want to reinvent themselves during midlife. Her goal is to inspire women (like you!) to live life on their own terms.
She shares her experiences with surviving domestic abuse, cancer, and being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder to inspire women to push their comfort zones and thrive.
Find out more about Cherie at www.cheriefaus-smith.com. Also, you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. If you would like to join her Sisterhood of Fabulous and Fearless Women Facebook group, you can find it here.
If you prefer email, you can send her a message at cherie@cheriefaus-smith.com.Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.