Here are 50 everyday struggles journaling can help women in midlife and beyond with.* This list has been compiled based on the women I work with and speak to on a daily basis.
The Realities of Ageing As a Woman
- Feeling invisible
- Being expected to age ‘gracefully’ amid unreasonable expectations
- Experiencing ageism at work
- Being judged for not being in a relationship
- Being judged for never having kids
- The expectation to walk through life and just be ‘grateful,’ regardless of the circumstances
- Facing perimenopause and menopause
- Feeling dismissed because of your age
- Being seen as ‘difficult’
- The constant expectation to always keep the peace
Self Worth
- Feeling unappreciated at work or at home
- The desire to constantly shrink yourself
- Needing external validation to feel worthy
- Erosion of confidence, which has happened over time
- Listening to your inner critic (aka ‘mean girl’)
- Comparing yourself to others
- Feeling like your best years are behind you
- Undervaluing the wisdom you’ve gained over a lifetime
- Doubting your ability to reinvent yourself
- Forgetting about all the hard times you’ve been through
Life Transitions
- Wondering who you are once your kids are independent adults
- Struggling with adult children who have walked away from you for whatever reason
- Realising some dreams may never be realised
- Acceptance regarding anything that can’t be changed
- Learning to live alone for the first time
- Redefining success
- Letting go of attachment to titles (e.g., ‘mum’, your work role, etc.)
- Starting over financially
- Coping with loss as life happens
- Feeling like you’ve missed your window for certain opportunities
Self Expression
- Abandoning creative projects midway
- Not having enough space to try new things
- Feeling uninspired by routines and ‘going through the motions’
- Wanting to express but being unsure about where to start
- Fear of being ‘bad’ at something you’re trying for the first time
- Missing curiosity and struggling to tap into your imagination
- Feeling like creativity is selfish
- The assumption that you are ‘too old’ to start afresh
- Letting go of past disappointments – you’re not the same person now
- Fear of sharing creative work publicly
Reflection
- Disconnection from everything and everyone
- A greater appreciation of presence and slowing down
- Wanting to cultivate self-trust
- Seeking peace
- Removing the mask you’ve worn for years
- Asking questions about your purpose
- Leaning into trusting the Universe’s timing
- Craving stillness in a noisy world
- Feeling spiritually bankrupt
- Learning to trust the unfolding of life
Free Gentle Journaling Jumpstart Printable
You can download my free Gentle Journaling Jumpstart printable if you are drawn to journaling. The printable includes seven journal prompts and three steps to help you get started quickly in a trauma-informed way.
Please note: Journaling cannot replace any professional support, guidance or treatment you may need. It can definitely positively impact your life in a range of ways if you show up and stare down that blank page. And if you need some convincing, Google ‘expressive writing.’