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How to Thrive Through Midlife Changes · Create The Best Me

• 0:00
  Carmen Hecox: Welcome to Create the Best Me.
• 0:02
  Carmen Hecox: I am Carmen Hecox, a personal development coach, and I am so excited to be connecting with you today.
• 0:09
  Carmen Hecox: Whether you're listening to the podcast or joining us on YouTube, my goal is to help women navigate through midlife challenges with compassion, inspiration, and empowering conversations.
• 0:21
  Carmen Hecox: Each week we'll dive into thought-provoking topics, designed to build self-confidence, overcome invisible women's syndrome, and find the courage to create the best version of yourself.
• 0:34
  Carmen Hecox: I'll also be joined by expert guests who will share their wisdom and insights, so make yourself comfortable and let's embark on this journey together.
• 0:44
  Carmen Hecox: Well, hello there, fearless midlife trailblazers! Welcome to Create the Best Me! If you are new here, I'm so glad you made it here; if you're a returning listener, welcome back to the one and only place where we encourage and empower women in midlife to pursue their dreams and live life to the fullest.
• 1:05
  Carmen Hecox: Our focus has always been to support you in your journey of transformation, growth, and self-discovery.
• 1:11
  Carmen Hecox: Today, we'll dive into the topic that resonates with me and perhaps most women in midlife, that's lifestyle changes that occurred during this time and how we can make these shifts an opportunity for a positive experience.
• 1:25
  Carmen Hecox: In today's journey, we begin by exploring the common lifestyle changes that many women encounter during midlife.
• 1:33
  Carmen Hecox: From there, we'll discuss the physical and emotional impacts of these changes and how understanding them can provide a foundation for navigating this stage of life.
• 1:45
  Carmen Hecox: Then we'll talk about the strategies for transforming these changes into positive experiences, focusing on mindfulness and adaptability.
• 1:54
  Carmen Hecox: We'll also discuss the value of personal growth during midlife and how self-care plays an essential role in this phase.
• 2:03
  Carmen Hecox: And finally, we'll cover the importance of community and connections during this time, showing how it can enrich your midlife journey.
• 2:13
  Carmen Hecox: So, let's start by understanding what we mean when we talk about lifestyle changes during midlife.
• 2:20
  Carmen Hecox: What really happens during this period?
• 2:23
  Carmen Hecox: Well, for many women the midlife stage ushers a series of physical and emotional changes.
• 2:29
  Carmen Hecox: You might find that you're noticing a shift in your body due to hormonal transitions of perimenopause, leading up to menopause.
• 2:38
  Carmen Hecox: These physical changes can include sleep disturbance, changes in your metabolic system or the infamous hot flashes.
• 2:49
  Carmen Hecox: But it's not just about physical.
• 2:52
  Carmen Hecox: Midlife also brings shifts in our roles and relationships.
• 2:57
  Carmen Hecox: Perhaps your children are growing up and leaving home, altering your role as a parent.
• 3:03
  Carmen Hecox: Or maybe you're taking on a role of a caregiver for your aging parents.
• 3:09
  Carmen Hecox: Career transition may also be at the forefront, as you might be reaching a peak or perhaps considering the second act.
• 3:18
  Carmen Hecox: These shifts can be unsettling, and that's okay.
• 3:23
  Carmen Hecox: It's a natural response to change.
• 3:26
  Carmen Hecox: But remember, acknowledging these changes, understanding them, is the first step toward transforming the midlife stage into a positive and empowering journey.
• 3:39
  Carmen Hecox: Now let's take a moment to reflect on how these changes affect us.
• 3:43
  Carmen Hecox: How do they impact our emotional well-being, our physical health, and our perception of ourselves and our place in the world?
• 3:53
  Carmen Hecox: You see, these changes don't exist in a vacuum.
• 3:57
  Carmen Hecox: They reverberate through every aspect of our lives, and recognizing this impact helps us become more compassionate and patient with ourselves.
• 4:07
  Carmen Hecox: And believe me, when it comes to navigating midlife changes, compassion and paticence are our best allies.
• 4:17
  Carmen Hecox: We've begun to understand the physical and emotional changes that often accompany the midlife transition.
• 4:24
  Carmen Hecox: Now, let's take a deeper look into the impact of these changes in our lives.
• 4:30
  Carmen Hecox: You see, these shifts can profoundly affect our emotional well-being.
• 4:35
  Carmen Hecox: It's not uncommon to experience feelings of loss or uncertainty during this time.
• 4:41
  Carmen Hecox: We might grieve for our younger selves or for the life stage that we're leaving behind.
• 4:48
  Carmen Hecox: We might also feel a sense of apprehension as we face new rules and responsibilities.
• 4:56
  Carmen Hecox: On a physical level, the hormonal changes occurring during perimenopause and menopause can lead to various symptoms, such as changes in sleep patterns, fluctuation in weight, or mood swings.
• 5:11
  Carmen Hecox: These physical symptoms, in turn can have a direct impact on our emotional health and daily life routines.
• 5:19
  Carmen Hecox: Our perception of ourselves and our place in the world can also be influenced by these changes.
• 5:26
  Carmen Hecox: As our roles and responsibilities shift, we may need to reassess our identity, our goals, and our priority.
• 5:34
  Carmen Hecox: It's a time of reevaluation and redefinition.
• 5:39
  Carmen Hecox: These impacts are significant, yes, but not instrumental.
• 5:45
  Carmen Hecox: Remember, understanding the impacts of these changes can pave the way toward developing strategies to cope with them and turn them into opportunities for growth.
• 5:57
  Carmen Hecox: So, how do we transform these changes into positive experience?
• 6:01
  Carmen Hecox: What tools can we equip ourselves with to navigate these waters with resilience and grace?
• 6:09
  Carmen Hecox: Let's dive into this.
• 6:10
  Carmen Hecox: Transforming these midlife changes into a positive experience might seem like a tall order, but it is entirely possible and we're going to explore how.
• 6:22
  Carmen Hecox: One powerful tool is mindfulness.
• 6:25
  Carmen Hecox: Being present in the moment allows us to experience life as it is, rather than as we believe it should be.
• 6:35
  Carmen Hecox: When we let go of the expectation and accept our reality, we create a space for appreciation, even in times of change.
• 6:45
  Carmen Hecox: It's like standing in the eye of the storm, calm and focused, even when things are swirling around us.
• 6:52
  Carmen Hecox: Another essential strategy is adaptability.
• 6:56
  Carmen Hecox: Instead of resisting change, we can learn to ride the wave to adapt, and evolve.
• 7:04
  Carmen Hecox: Remember, the only constant in life is change, and embracing this fact can make the journey much smoother.
• 7:15
  Carmen Hecox: To illustrate these points, let's consider Sarah's story.
• 7:20
  Carmen Hecox: Sarah is a woman in her early fifties.
• 7:24
  Carmen Hecox: She found herself facing significant life changes.
• 7:27
  Carmen Hecox: Her children had grown up and moved out, she was an empty nester.
• 7:32
  Carmen Hecox: She was also experiencing menopause, which came with this own set of physical challenges.
• 7:39
  Carmen Hecox: Initially, Sarah found herself struggling with these changes.
• 7:43
  Carmen Hecox: She felt lost and unsure of her new identity.
• 7:47
  Carmen Hecox: But then, she decided to embrace mindfulness and adaptability.
• 7:52
  Carmen Hecox: She began to meditate daily, focusing on being present and accepting her new reality.
• 8:00
  Carmen Hecox: She also started exploring new hobbies and interests that she'd previously put on the back burner.
• 8:07
  Carmen Hecox: Slowly, Sarah found herself not just surviving these changes, but thriving.
• 8:14
  Carmen Hecox: She developed a newfound appreciation for her empty nest, enjoying the quiet and freedom it offered.
• 8:22
  Carmen Hecox: She also began to view her physical changes not as a loss, but as markers of a new life stage, full of potential.
• 8:33
  Carmen Hecox: So, Sarah's story shows equipping ourselves with the right strategies can indeed turn change into a positive experience.
• 8:42
  Carmen Hecox: But it's also essential to prioritize ourselves during this time, to focus on personal growth and self-care, which leads us to our next topic.
• 8:53
  Carmen Hecox: As we move through midlife, focusing on personal growth and self-care becomes even more crucial.
• 9:01
  Carmen Hecox: So, let's delve into how we can nurture ourselves during this transformative stage.
• 9:08
  Carmen Hecox: As we continue our journey through midlife, our focus on personal growth and self-care should take center stage.
• 9:15
  Carmen Hecox: Now more than ever, it's vital to prioritize our well-being and use this period as a time for personal evolution.
• 9:25
  Carmen Hecox: Self-care can take various forms, from ensuring a balanced diet and regular exercise to practicing mindfulness and making time for hobbies and activities we love.
• 9:39
  Carmen Hecox: It's about treating ourselves with kindness and acknowledge that our well-being is essential.
• 9:47
  Carmen Hecox: But what about personal growth during this time?
• 9:51
  Carmen Hecox: Well, personal growth often goes hand-in-hand with self-care.
• 9:56
  Carmen Hecox: As we take care of ourselves, we're also nurturing our growth.
• 10:01
  Carmen Hecox: Midlife, with its change and shifts, provides an incredible opportunity for introspection, learning, and growth.
• 10:10
  Carmen Hecox: Let's consider the story of Laura, another brave woman navigating midlife transition.
• 10:17
  Carmen Hecox: After a successful career as a lawyer, Laura found herself burnt out and unfulfilled.
• 10:24
  Carmen Hecox: Her children had moved out, and she felt it was time for her to own her transition.
• 10:30
  Carmen Hecox: Laura began prioritizing her well-being.
• 10:33
  Carmen Hecox: She took up yoga, started painting activities she'd wanted to explore but never had the time.
• 10:41
  Carmen Hecox: She nourished her body with healthier food choices and took care of her mind with daily meditation.
• 10:48
  Carmen Hecox: In prioritizing self-care, Laura also sparked personal growth.
• 10:53
  Carmen Hecox: She began to discover aspects of her life she had previously overlooked.
• 10:58
  Carmen Hecox: She developed a passion for art, found peace in mindfulness, and realize that there was so much more to her than her career.
• 11:08
  Carmen Hecox: Laura's story is an excellent reminder that taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally ist just about survival-it's about thriving, growing, and unlocking new potentials within ourselves.
• 11:26
  Carmen Hecox: But while personal growth and self-care are vital, let's not forget another critical aspect of our journey, and that's the power of community and connection.
• 11:38
  Carmen Hecox: As we travel the landscape of midlife, community and connection becomes our guiding light.
• 11:45
  Carmen Hecox: Let's discover how they can enrich our midlife.
• 11:49
  Carmen Hecox: The power of community and connections cannot be overstated, especially during times of change.
• 11:56
  Carmen Hecox: Having a supportive network of friends, family, or fellow journeyers can be a source of strength, validation, and inspiration.
• 12:07
  Carmen Hecox: Sharing experience, wisdom, and support helps us realize we're not alone in this journey.
• 12:13
  Carmen Hecox: It's crucial to seek out and nurture these connections.
• 12:18
  Carmen Hecox: Be it joining local groups, participating in online forums, or merely reaching out to a trusted friend or relative, every connection matters.
• 12:29
  Carmen Hecox: Let's bring this point home with the story of Rachel.
• 12:33
  Carmen Hecox: Like many women in midlife, Rachel was going through several transitions.
• 12:38
  Carmen Hecox: She was adjusting to her new role as a grandmother, dealing with physical changes of menopause, and coming to terms with her new retired status.
• 12:48
  Carmen Hecox: Rachel initially struggled with these transitions.
• 12:51
  Carmen Hecox: She felt isolated and overwhelmed.
• 12:54
  Carmen Hecox: But, Rachel found a local group for women navigating midlife.
• 12:59
  Carmen Hecox: She started attending their weekly meetings, sharing their experience and learning from others.
• 13:06
  Carmen Hecox: Rachel found that being part of this community was a game-changer.
• 13:11
  Carmen Hecox: Not only did she feel supported and understood, but she found joy and strength in supporting others.
• 13:18
  Carmen Hecox: She realized that these connections added a richness to her life that she hadn't expected.
• 13:24
  Carmen Hecox: As Rachel's story shows, fostering community connections can profoundly impact our midlife journey.
• 13:31
  Carmen Hecox: By sharing, connections, and growing together, we can navigate the changes with more resilience, joy, and depth.
• 13:40
  Carmen Hecox: In today's episode, we journey through the landscape of midlife changes from understanding what's happening to our bodies and our roles to learning strategies for turning these changes into positive experience.
• 13:54
  Carmen Hecox: We discuss the importance of self-care and personal growth, and the crucial role of community and connections.
• 14:02
  Carmen Hecox: Remember, like any journey, navigating midlife has its challenges.
• 14:08
  Carmen Hecox: But with mindfulness, adaptability, self-care, personal growth, and a supportive community, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for deep, transformative growth.
• 14:21
  Carmen Hecox: So as we ramp up today, my invitation to you is to, embrace your midlife journey, lean into the changes, care for yourself, grow, and connect.
• 14:33
  Carmen Hecox: This is your time to create the best you.
• 14:38
  Carmen Hecox: Today's transcripts and additional information about today's topic can be found at createthebestme.com/ep019.
• 14:50
  Carmen Hecox: If you want additional information, I recommend you listen to episode 15, 13 and 11, they can be found at createthebestme.com/ep015 or/ep013 or/ep011.
• 15:13
  Carmen Hecox: If this episode resonated with you, don't forget to hit Subscribe to stay updated.
• 15:19
  Carmen Hecox: And you don't want to miss next week's episode where my guest will be Jana Wilson, author of"Wise Little One," She's also a hypnotherapist shadow worker, meditation teacher, and the founder of the Emotional Healing System.
• 15:36
  Carmen Hecox: She will be here to discuss her new book"Wise Little One," which I strongly recommend you go out and pre-order.
• 15:43
  Carmen Hecox: This book will hit the shelves.
• 15:46
  Carmen Hecox: At all major book retailers on July 12th, 2023.
• 15:51
  Carmen Hecox: Until next time, keep dreaming big, take care of yourself, and remember, you were beautiful, strong, and capable of creating the best version of yourself.
• 16:02
  Carmen Hecox: Thank you for watching.
• 16:04
  Carmen Hecox: Catch you next week.
• 16:05
  Carmen Hecox: Bye for now.