Have You Forgotten Who You Are?
How years of looking after everyone else can make you lose sight of yourself.
Have you ever stopped and wondered...When did I stop thinking about what I wanted? Not what your family wanted. Not what your employer needed. Not what everyone else expected of you. Just...what you wanted. For many women over 50, it doesn't happen overnight. It's gradual. Years of putting everyone else first. Years of saying, "Maybe one day." Years of believing there'll be more time later. Until one day, you realise you can't remember the last time you asked yourself what would make you happy.
A story ……I meet so many women who tell me the same thing. "I don't even know who I am anymore."
They've spent decades caring for patients, raising children, supporting partners, helping ageing parents, keeping everything together. They're incredibly capable women, but somewhere along the way, they stopped being the main character in their own lives.
I understand that feeling because I've been there too.
The truth is, you haven't disappeared. The woman you were is still there. She's simply been hidden beneath years of responsibility. Rediscovering yourself doesn't mean changing who you are. It means giving yourself permission to reconnect with the parts of you that have been quietly waiting.
Three questions:- If you're not sure where to begin, ask yourself:
What used to make me feel excited?
If nobody judged me, what would I try?
What do I want the next ten years of my life to look like?
Don't worry if you don't have all the answers. Sometimes the questions are where the journey begins.
When I created Beyond the Rat Race, it wasn't because I had life completely figured out. It was because I wanted to create a place where women could pause, reflect and realise they're not alone. If you've been feeling like you've forgotten who you are, perhaps this is your reminder that your story isn't over. Maybe your next chapter starts with one simple decision: To put yourself back on your own list. I'd love to hear from you.
Have you ever reached a point in life where you wondered, "Who am I now?"
Leave a comment below or get in touch. I'd genuinely love to hear your story.
Warm wishes,
Jane x