Ever felt like it’s too late to change your life? Think again.
Last week, I listened to an intriguing podcast interview with Sarah Sarkis, a psychologist, writer, and performance consultant.
She shared a powerful story about how, at 55, her mother separated from her husband and completely reinvented herself. This taught Sarah a critical lesson: “It’s never too late to start over.” She learned that you can reinvent yourself at any time. (Listen to the podcast at The Unmistakable Creative Podcast).
It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself
Many people are held back by the belief that it’s “too late” or that they’re “too old” to change their lives. That’s not true.
We can reinvent ourselves at any time. Reinvention is a natural part of life and can continue throughout life.
David Sparks has observed that about every 30 years or so, people feel the need to “repot” themselves. They need to change what they’re doing and mix things up, and reinvent themselves. They become competent in their careers and then get bored with what they’ve been doing for 20 or 30 years.
“Reinventing yourself doesn’t mean erasing or discarding your past. It’s taking the core of who you are and breathing fresh life into yourself.”
Reinventing Yourself Begins With These 7 Mindful Steps.
You don’t have to radically change your life or completely break with your past to reinvent yourself. Instead, reinvention often involves taking what you’ve done in the past—the good and the bad, the successes and the failures—and tying that into some new way of living you desire.
My Journey of Reinventions
I’m 71 and still reinventing myself. I’m not exceptional. If I can do it, you can, too.
I’ve had multiple careers: from medical administration troop to chaplain to lawyer in the United States Air Force, and in civilian life. Each phase required reinvention.
Retirement (at age 63) has prompted additional reinventions. I participated in a Sheriff’s Posse program in my community, where I eventually became a shift leader. I also began doing 2-7 day section backpacks on long-distance trails.
I learned about productivity and began following David Spark’s roles-based system, which has changed many areas of my life. I became a blog writer and started the blog you’re reading. I started reading ancient Stoic philosophy, which has changed how I view life and death.
Since moving to South Dakota last year (at age 70), I’m now a volunteer for a National Park Service Historical Site, where I give tours and interact with visitors. My life has been an example of continual reinvention.
When to Reinvent Yourself
Different people reinvent themselves at various times in their lives.
“The circumstances under which you might consider shaking things up in your life are personal to each individual and it’s not a one size fits all situation.”
Reinventing Yourself Begins With These 7 Mindful Steps.
Reinvention can be prompted by career stagnation, divorce, retirement, and the loss of a career and life purpose. Only you can determine when it’s time to reinvent yourself.
Steps to Reinvent Yourself
Melissa Kirk, in her article, Five Steps to Reinvent Yourself: Create the Future You Visualize, suggests five steps as a process:
1. Create a vision for your future. Think about whom you want to become. Visualize what you will look and feel like after you’ve reinvented yourself.
2. Write about your reinvention. Writing down your vision for reinvention can help clarify your thoughts and define who you intend to become. Journaling can help you identify your feelings about reinvention. You might feel afraid, excited, intimidated, or anxious to start making changes.
3. Surround yourself with visual reminders of a life you’d like to create. Keep visual reminders of your goals where you can see them daily. These might include a photo stuck to the refrigerator, a framed poster, or a picture in a frame on a bathroom shelf.
4. Now that you have a vision for your future break it into workable tasks. Identify the steps needed to achieve your vision. For example, becoming a lawyer required me to take the LSAT, enroll in law school, and pass the bar exam.
5. Regularly revisit the vision of your future. Revisit your vision to stay motivated and track your progress.
Start Your Reinvention Today
Reinvention is a journey that can begin anytime, regardless of age or experience. As Sarah Sarkis learned from her mother, it’s never too late to start over and create a new path for yourself.
If you’re feeling stuck or yearning for change, take the first step today. Reflect on where you want to go, envision your future self, and start making those changes. Join me in this ongoing journey of growth and transformation.