Living Fearlessly: How Midlife Women Can Live in Purpose and Freedom

This week’s podcast episode features C. Rene Washington, certified life coach, author and speaker. She has written a book called Take the Trip: Four Journeys Every Midlife Woman Needs to Live with Purpose and Freedom. To start the episode, Allegra welcomes Rene Washington to the podcast and dives into why she wrote the book and the message she hopes to send.

Rene shares that one of the main themes she wants to share in her book is the idea of creating a “safe space” within yourself. She explains that this safe space is a place where you can go to feel supported and have an honest conversation with yourself. Rene believes that this is where true transformation begins as it allows you to become aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Rene also stresses the importance of having a strong support system that can provide encouragement and accountability as you live in purpose and freedom. The conversation then shifts to the idea of making time for yourself and how it can help you stay focused on your goals. Rene believes that it’s essential to create moments of stillness and connection with yourself. She emphasizes the importance of taking time to rest and reflect in order to give yourself the space to make decisions that are aligned with your goals. Renee also shares how she created her own daily routine to stay on track and how it has helped her stay motivated.

As a master certified coach, Rene helps women gain confidence and get unstuck in their lives. In her book, she shares a story about a woman she met at an optical shop who was trying on glasses. The woman was hesitant to buy a pair of red glasses because she was afraid of what people would think. Washington encouraged her to buy the glasses anyway and to take more risks in her life. The story stayed with Washington and served as a reminder that we should all live our best lives, regardless of what others think.

Why is it important for midlife women to live in purpose and freedom?

It is important for midlife women to live with purpose and freedom for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, having a sense of purpose and freedom allows you to live more authentically and to make decisions that reflect your values. This can help you express your individuality and make choices that are in alignment with your goals and aspirations. Additionally, living with purpose and freedom provides a sense of direction and helps you focus your energy and resources on what really matters to you. 

Having purpose and freedom also provides midlife women with the opportunity to take risks and to explore new and exciting opportunities. The older we get, the braver we get because we realize there is much less to be afraid of at this point in our lives.

This is especially important during midlife when many women start feeling stagnant and unfulfilled at home and at work. Taking risks and engaging in new experiences can help you break out of your comfort zone and to discover new passions. Furthermore, having purpose and freedom can also help midlife women to feel empowered and in control of their own lives, which can result in greater overall satisfaction and well-being.

Identify what you want and need to live in purpose and freedom

Identifying what you need and want to live with purpose and freedom can be a scary task. It involves looking at yourself and your life honestly and thoughtfully. It can be helpful to start by thinking about what areas of your life you would like to improve.

Do you want to make more money, experience more freedom, or take more risks? Once you identify what areas you want to focus on, then you can start to create a plan for how to achieve your goals.

It is important to remember that you are the only one who can decide what you need and want in your life. No one else can tell you what will bring you purpose and freedom. It is up to you to explore different ideas and find what works best for you. Take the time to reflect on your values and consider what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. You can also talk to trusted friends and family members for advice, or even seek out a life coach if you need extra support.

Ultimately, finding what you need and want to live with purpose and freedom is a journey. It requires honesty, introspection, and courage. But by taking the time to identify what you need and want, you can begin to make changes that will help you lead a more purposeful and freeing life.

Take the necessary steps to move toward your goal

Once you have identified what you need and want, it is time to start taking action. This involves setting a goal and taking actionable steps towards achieving that goal. Rene’s story of the woman in the optical shop is a perfect example of this. When the woman was feeling uncertain about taking a risk and buying the red glasses, Rene encouraged her to go for it, reminding her that there is no ceiling on your life unless you place it there.

This story is a powerful reminder to take the steps necessary to move toward your goals, even when it feels uncomfortable or scary. To get started, it’s important to identify the goal. Once that is established, break down the steps necessary to reach it. This could include making a list of tasks, talking to people who are knowledgeable in the area, or researching online. What is important is breaking your goal into bite-sized, actionable, and measurable steps. Then you’ll want to prioritize the steps and determine how much time each one will take. 

It’s also important to understand that taking the necessary steps towards a goal may involve some trial and error. It’s always important to give yourself grace. Be flexible and to be willing to adjust your plan as needed. Life has a way of throwing us curveballs and our plans will need to adapt accordingly. It’s not always easy, but it’s important to stay focused on your goal.

Finally, it’s important to keep a positive attitude and remain optimistic. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like giving up, but it’s important to stay focused on the end goal. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be that valuable to you. We tend to discount things that come easily to us.  Surround yourself with positive people and mentors who can provide support and encouragement. The journey may be long, but by taking the necessary steps, the goal of gaining confidence and punching fear in the throat will be within reach.

Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you to reach your goals

Surrounding yourself with people who will support you and encourage you to reach your goals is key to achieving success. As Rene Washington said in this episode, “when something scares me, that’s a sign. Move towards it. Particularly when it’s something that scares you, that’s not going to kill you but will elevate your life, why not do it?” It is important to build a strong support system of people who will be honest and supportive of your goals and aspirations. You can start by seeking out individuals who are living the life you wish to have. Connect with them through social media or in person. Ask how they achieved their goals and what tips they have for you.

Make sure your supportive people are not just cheerleaders, but people who will be honest with you and share honest feedback to help you move toward your goal. The trick is to surround yourself with people who are supportive but will also push you to achieve more. Also, be prepared to be a support system for others in return. Form a few meaningful relationships in which you can offer help and guidance to others who are striving to reach their goals. This will create a positive, motivating atmosphere and make it easier to stay motivated and on track.

Here is a hard truth, it is important to limit your time with people who are not supportive of your goals. This may include people who do not understand what you are trying to achieve, people who are negative, or people who do not believe in you. These people can be draining and make it difficult for you to stay focused and motivated. To keep yourself on track, limit the amount of time you spend around these individuals and focus on spending time with people who will lift you up.

Additionally, it is important to foster a positive mindset. This can be done by engaging in positive self-talk, reading inspiring books, and meditating. Taking time to acknowledge your progress can also help boost your confidence and motivate you to keep going. This is why it is important to set realistic goals and acknowledge that the journey to reaching them will take time. Reminding yourself of why you are working towards your goals and the feeling you will have when you reach them can also help you remain focused and committed.

Take risks and don’t be afraid to make decisions that are right for you

Want to know a powerful way to gain confidence? Get in the habit of taking risks and making decisions that are right for you, even if they make others uncomfortable. First, you have to trust that you know what is best for you. Listen to your own gut and be honest with yourself about what you want and need. Check in with yourself to find out, “Will this decision benefit me in the long run?” and “Will it help me reach my goals?”. If the answer is yes, then go for it. Don’t let fear or other people’s opinions stop you from making decisions that you know will ultimately help you live in purpose and freedom. Even if it makes others uncomfortable, be brave enough to take the risk. Know that, in time, you will be so proud of yourself for making the decisions that are right for you. #killerselfconfidence

Taking risks and making decisions that are true to yourself takes practice. At first, you’ll probably feel anxious or afraid of making the wrong decision and this is completely normal. Anybody in a similar circumstance would likely feel the same way. Start out small and gradually work your way up to bigger decisions. Even doing somerthing small like ordering a different dish at a restaurant, is good practice for trusting your own judgement. There’s no need to rush, take your time and build up confidence in making decisions that are best for you.

Finally, please remember that you are the only one who knows what is best for you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and your decisions, even if other people disagree with you. Why would their opinion matter more than yours? Your dreams are only for you so don’t be surprised if other people don’t understand them. Just don’t let them stop you! You have the power to make decisions that will help you achieve everything you want.

Stay open to new opportunities and be willing to learn and grow

To stay open to new opportunities, you have to be aware of what is happening around you. You can’t just sit in a tiny box never looking at anything new or different. Carve out time to look for new ideas and experiences, and take the time to explore them. This can mean attending seminars or events in your industry, reading about the latest developments in your field, or even just talking to others who may have different points of view.

Making time to learn new things and challenge yourself will help you stay open to opportunities and be willing to grow and evolve. It is important to be proactive in seeking out new knowledge and expanding your skillset. Start by taking the time to learn something new every day, no matter how small. Whether it’s reading a book, taking an online course, attending a webinar, or even just listening to a podcast, there are endless sources to draw from.

Learning something new keeps your mind sharp and helps you gain the confidence you need to be open to new opportunities. New things can be scary so you can draw on your past successes with new things to be bold here. Listening and engaging with others will help you to understand different points of view and develop your problem-solving skills. 

Celebrate your successes and be proud of your accomplishments

Celebrating your successes and being proud of your accomplishments is an important step in gaining confidence and achieving your goals. Too often we breeze past our results and just start working on our next goal. Let’s agree to stop doing that.  It is important to recognize your achievements and the hard work and dedication it took to get there. It is also important to reward yourself for your accomplishments, whether that is through a special treat or taking some time off to relax.

Why is this so important? Because this is what motivates you to keep going and make more progress in the future. As a result, you’ll feel more  on purpose and get more satisfaction from your life. It’s important to celebrate your successes regularly so that you can enjoy them and feel good about yourself. You deserve it! Taking the time to recognize and appreciate your successes will help to create even more confidence and motivation to continue striving for your goals.

One way to celebrate your successes is to take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and think about all that you have achieved. Take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the journey you have taken and all the steps you have taken to get to where you are today. Recognizing your successes will help you to gain a greater sense of self-worth and further cultivate your confidence.

Another way to celebrate your successes is to reward yourself for your accomplishments. Doing something special for yourself, whether it is going out for a nice dinner or taking a weekend getaway, will help to reinforce the feeling of accomplishment and will give you further motivation to continue on your journey.

Sharing your successes with others is another great way to celebrate and be proud of your accomplishments. Sharing your successes with your friends and family can be a great source of encouragement and support. It is also a great way to encourage others to set and work toward their own goals. Your success is a living example of what’s possible for them.

Finally, when celebrating your successes and being proud of your accomplishments, it is important to take the time to reflect on what you have learned along the way. Reflecting on the lessons you have learned and the skills you have acquired can help you to gain a greater understanding of yourself and what you’re capable of when you focus on your values and goals.

Give yourself permission to take action

Often, the hardest part of living in purpose is giving yourself permission to take the first step. That step feels huge! Once you have taken that step and are moving forward, confidence will follow. So take action! Be confident in your decisions, even if you don’t have all the answers. Learning while you go can be fun if you choose to see it that way.

Living with purpose and freedom is an important step for midlife women to take in order to live an empowered and fulfilling life. Through C. Rene Washington’s book, Take the Trip: Four Journeys Every Midlife Woman Needs to Live in Purpose and Freedom, she outlines seven steps for midlife women to take action and reach their goals. These steps include identifying what you want and need to live with purpose and freedom, taking the necessary steps to move towards this goal, surrounding yourself with people who will support and encourage you to reach your goals, taking risks, staying open to new opportunities, celebrating your successes, and giving yourself permission to take action. With the right mindset, dedication and courage, you can achieve amazing things. Remember, you have the power to create the life you have always dreamed of.

I’d love to hear how you apply “Raise the Price of Tickets” to get purpose and freedom in your life. Leave me a comment on how it went for you or drop any questions you want me to answer!