A Midlife Career Reinvention Journey for Women Over 40
Hey Beautiful,
If you’ve ever looked at your career and wondered, “How did I end up here?”—you’re not alone. Midlife is a powerful time of reflection and reinvention. For many women over 40, it’s the season where we wake up, take stock of our lives, and realize: what once worked… no longer fits.
Maybe your job was once fulfilling. Maybe it never truly aligned with who you are. But now, it feels like you’re stuck, trapped in a role that drains your energy and dims your light.
Here’s the truth:
Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a rebirth. And you have every right to rewrite your story, reconnect with your passions, and rediscover your purpose.
This is my story of breaking free. I’m sharing it not just to inspire, but to empower you with 10 actionable steps to help you reinvent your career, and your life, from the inside out.
My Midlife Career Wake-Up Call: From Survival to Reinvention
At 45, I found myself on autopilot.
I was a single mom doing everything I could to give my son the best life—private school, a stable home, and opportunities I never had. But while I was pouring into everyone else, I had completely neglected myself.
I was overweight, exhausted, drowning in debt, and stuck in a mortgage underwriting job that no longer fulfilled me. I felt frumpy, financially trapped, and scared of losing my job every day.
Then in February 2022, reality hit hard:
Bonuses stopped. My paycheck barely covered expenses. I was $30,000 in debt. I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
But instead of spiraling—I took my power back.
I accepted a remote contract job for $1,200/month just to create breathing room. I built a budget. I tracked every dollar. I started moving my body again, eating better, and focusing on my health.
And most importantly? I started asking myself the big questions again:
What do I really want? Who am I becoming?
Reinventing Myself from the Ground Up
Three months later, I was laid off from Rocket Mortgage. It should have devastated me. But instead, I felt ready.
Why?
Because I had already begun my reinvention.
I landed a new job quickly, but something had changed. I was no longer willing to settle for survival mode. I dove headfirst into personal development: audiobooks, podcasts, financial wellness, journaling, mindset shifts.
Each win fueled me.
Each shift gave me back a piece of myself.
Eventually, I launched this blog, Jax Stys, as a way to share my journey and help other women rise, just like I did. My side project became my passion. And my passion became my purpose.
10 Steps to Break Free from a Stagnant Job and Rediscover Purpose
Feeling stuck? Here’s how to begin your own midlife glow-up and career reinvention:
1. Acknowledge What Isn’t Working
Give yourself permission to admit your job no longer serves you. That’s not failure, it’s self-awareness. Name it. Own it. Then prepare to change it.
2. Take an Honest Life Inventory
Where are you thriving, and where are you just surviving? Look at your health, finances, career, and emotional well-being. Clarity leads to power.
3. Reconnect with Forgotten Passions
What used to light you up? Creative projects? Helping others? Travel? Dig deep. Your joy is the breadcrumb trail to your purpose.
4. Start Small but Stay Consistent
One step at a time. Create a simple budget. Take a daily walk. Make one nourishing meal. Small changes, done consistently, change everything.
5. Invest in Personal Growth
Buy the book. Take the course. Start therapy. Learn a new skill. Growth doesn’t just happen, it’s something you cultivate.
6. Create a Vision for the Life You Want
Where do you want to be in 2, 5, or 10 years? Don’t just dream, design. Vision gives direction.
7. Launch a Side Project or Passion Hustle
Whether it’s a blog, Etsy shop, coaching practice, or photography business, do the thing that excites you. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
8. Build a Circle That Lifts You
Surround yourself with women who are growing, too. Join groups, online communities, or accountability partnerships that support your rise.
9. Be Brave Enough to Pivot
It’s okay to change paths. In fact, it’s powerful. Your midlife reinvention might require letting go of what’s “safe” to chase what’s true.
10. Celebrate Every Single Win
Every dollar saved, every habit formed, every breakthrough moment matters. You’re rewriting your story, and that deserves celebration.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Stuck, You’re Being Called Higher
Midlife is not the end of the road, it’s the start of your next chapter.
If your career feels stagnant, if your purpose feels lost, if your light feels dim… that doesn’t mean it’s over. It means it’s time to awaken.
I know the fear. I know the burnout. I also know the power of choosing yourself. And I promise, on the other side of courage is a life filled with alignment, joy, and so much purpose.
You’re not too late. You’re right on time.
With love, hope, and fire for your next season,
Jax
