Seasons of Change: How to Let Go So You Can Find Yourself in Midlife

As I sit here with a cup of tea, gazing out the window, I can’t help but notice the beauty of the season. Fall is officially here, and the leaves are turning those gorgeous shades of gold, red, and orange. The air is cooler in the mornings, and there’s this magical sense of transition in the air. The trees are shedding their leaves, preparing for rest before the next season of growth.

It’s hard not to reflect on how the changing seasons mirror the changes we go through in life, especially in midlife.

Just like the trees, we too are invited to shed our old identities—the stories, roles, and expectations we’ve been carrying for years. This shedding process is crucial for growth, and just as the trees will bloom again in the spring, so too can we flourish once we let go of what no longer serves us.

The Midlife Awakening

Midlife is often seen as a time of crisis, but I like to call it an awakening. It’s not just about physical changes; it's a time when we start to experience emotional and spiritual shifts.

These changes can feel disorienting, but they are actually an invitation to reconnect with who we truly are at our core. It’s a time to let go of the layers of conditioning we've picked up over the years—whether from family, friends, or society—and to start living in alignment with our authentic selves.

As we grow older, we often lose sight of our true essence. We've spent so many years being who others expect us to be that we forget who we really are. This is why so many women in midlife feel stuck, unfulfilled, or disconnected from their happiness. We’ve been living under layers of other people’s expectations, trying to fit into molds that don’t align with our souls.

But midlife offers an opportunity to peel back those layers and rediscover ourselves. It’s about shedding the old stories that no longer serve us and stepping into our authentic, creative, and soulful selves.

What Do You Need to Let Go Of?

So, here’s the question I want you to ask yourself today: What do you need to let go of in order to be your most authentic self?

Think about the layers you’ve accumulated over the years. Maybe it’s an old belief about what success looks like. Maybe it’s the need for approval from others or the pressure to have everything figured out. Whatever it is, these are the things keeping you from living in alignment with your true self.

For me, one of the things I’ve been working on is letting go of the need to control everything. I’ve realized that trying to plan every little detail is exhausting and keeps me from being present in the moment. So, I’m focusing more on being here, now, and trusting that things will unfold as they’re meant to.

Letting go doesn’t have to be a massive life change all at once. You can start small. Maybe it’s saying “no” when someone asks you for help, even though you’re already stretched too thin. Or maybe it’s giving yourself permission to rest when you need it, instead of feeling guilty for not being productive.

Creating Space for Your True Self

The beautiful thing about midlife is that it offers a new beginning. We get to decide what stays and what goes. We get to choose what’s worth our time and energy. And as we release the things that no longer serve us, we create space for our true selves to emerge.

This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you’ve always been underneath all those layers of conditioning. It’s about giving yourself permission to be that version of yourself that’s been waiting for you to come back home.

You are worthy of living a life aligned with your deepest desires and passions. And the best part? It’s never too late. Midlife is not an ending—it’s a chance to reawaken, rediscover joy, and reclaim your creative power.

Reflecting on Your Journey

As you go about your day today, I invite you to reflect on this: What can you let go of in order to make space for your true, authentic self? What is your soul asking you to release so that you can reconnect with your essence, your spirit, your creative power?

Take time to honor this process. Whether it’s letting go of a small habit or releasing a major belief, trust that each step brings you closer to the person you’ve always been meant to be.

Fall is a season of change, but it’s also a season of reflection. As the leaves fall, so too can we release the old parts of ourselves that no longer align with our truth. Midlife is an opportunity for transformation and awakening, and by letting go of what no longer serves us, we make room for our true selves to flourish.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear what you’re letting go of and how you’re reconnecting with your authentic self this season. Send me a message or connect with me on Instagram at @JamieHandCreative.

Remember, midlife is just the beginning of a new, beautiful chapter of your life. Keep creating the life you were always meant to live.