Soul Journey Guidance

Living the Life You Never Knew You Could: Reclaiming Yourself in Your Forties For so many women, life before forty is often spent in service to others. We give—sometimes more than we realize—to our families, our careers, our friendships, and everyone who needs us. 

We pour ourselves into our roles as mothers, partners, daughters, and professionals, often putting our own needs and desires on the back burner. But something shifts when we hit our forties. Suddenly, we begin to recognize that it’s our time now. It’s time to live the life we didn’t even know was possible, a life where we come first. The Art of Giving and Rediscovering Ourselves Women are natural givers. We nurture, we support, and we often play the role of caretaker, whether it’s for our children, partners, aging parents, or the communities we serve.

We’re masters at juggling multiple responsibilities—making sure everyone else is taken care of. But in doing so, many of us lose sight of ourselves along the way. It’s not that we regret the years spent giving. We wouldn’t trade the love, care, and devotion we’ve poured into others for anything. 

But now, in our forties, we begin to realize something profound: we, too, deserve the care and attention we’ve been giving so freely to everyone else. And this realization is the key to unlocking the life we didn’t even know we could have. A Life Beyond the Roles For decades, we’ve worn so many hats—mother, wife, daughter, colleague, friend—that we may have forgotten who we are outside of those roles. But in our forties, we get a chance to redefine what our life looks like beyond the roles we’ve played. This is a time to rediscover our own passions, dreams, and interests—the things that make us feel alive. 

Maybe it’s been years since you’ve asked yourself, What do I want? Maybe you’ve been so busy giving to others that you’ve forgotten the sound of your own inner voice. But now, you get to listen. Now, you get to explore what lights you up, whether that’s pursuing a hobby, starting a new career, traveling, or simply enjoying more time for yourself. The Freedom to Choose You One of the most empowering aspects of life in your forties is the realization that you get to choose how you spend your time and energy.

After years of putting everyone else’s needs first, you now have the freedom to put yourself at the top of the list. You’ve earned it, and more importantly, you deserve it. This shift doesn’t mean abandoning those you love or the responsibilities you still carry. It means giving yourself permission to prioritize your own happiness alongside everything else.

 It means understanding that you are not being selfish for wanting more for yourself—you’re simply recognizing that your well-being is just as important as anyone else’s. This is your time to reclaim your joy. To say yes to the things that make your heart sing and no to the things that drain your energy. To create space in your life for what truly matters to you. Embracing Possibilities You Never Knew Existed For many women, their forties are a time of surprising transformation. Suddenly, you find yourself considering possibilities that you never even dreamed of before.

Maybe you’re starting a new business, pursuing a passion project, or discovering a talent you didn’t know you had. Maybe you’re traveling, meeting new people, or finding your way back to long-lost hobbies. It’s not that you didn’t want these things before—it’s that you couldn’t imagine having the time or energy to pursue them.

 It means understanding that you are not being selfish for wanting more for yourself—you’re simply recognizing that your well-being is just as important as anyone else’s. This is your time to reclaim your joy. To say yes to the things that make your heart sing and no to the things that drain your energy.

To create space in your life for what truly matters to you. Embracing Possibilities You Never Knew Existed For many women, forties are a time of surprising transformation. Suddenly, you find yourself considering possibilities that you never even dreamed of before. Maybe you’re starting a new business, pursuing a passion project, or discovering a talent you didn’t know you had. Maybe you’re traveling, meeting new people, or finding your way back to long-lost hobbies. It’s not that you didn’t want these things before—it’s that you couldn’t imagine having the time or energy to pursue them.

But now, you realize that the only limits are the ones you place on yourself. The life you once thought was beyond reach is now within your grasp, and it’s all because you’ve given yourself permission to want more. Finding Joy in the Unexpected The beauty of living a life you didn’t know you could is that it often brings unexpected joy. Perhaps it’s in the quiet moments of self-care that you never had time for before. Or in the new experiences that challenge you and help you grow. Or maybe it’s in the newfound freedom to design your days in a way that feels authentic to who you are now, not who you were before.

The joy of this stage of life isn’t just in the big, bold changes—it’s in the small, everyday moments of reclaiming yourself. It’s in the way you choose to spend your mornings, in the way you say yes to new opportunities and no to things that no longer serve you. It’s in the discovery that you are still capable of so much more than you ever imagined.

A Life of Balance and Fulfillment Living a life you didn’t know you could doesn’t mean leaving behind your responsibilities or the people you care about. It’s about finding balance—honoring the love and care you give to others while also making room for your own fulfillment. It’s about understanding that you can nurture both your relationships and your dreams. In your forties, you have the wisdom to know what truly matters. You have the experience to navigate challenges with grace, and you have the confidence to go after what you want. This is a time of living life on your terms, in a way that feels aligned with your soul’s deepest desires. 

The Next Chapter Is Yours If you’re a woman in your forties who’s spent much of your life giving to others, know this: It’s your turn now. It’s your turn to live a life that fills you up, that excites you, and that brings you joy in ways you never thought possible. The path ahead is wide open, and it’s yours to explore. So, take a deep breath. Let go of any guilt or hesitation.

Trust that you are worthy of living a life that feels rich, fulfilling, and entirely your own. You’ve given so much to the world—and now, it’s time to give something back to yourself. This is your time to shine, to embrace the possibilities that await, and to live the life you didn’t know you could. You’ve earned it, and your heart knows it’s time. With love and encouragement

Much Love & Light, Soul Journey Guidance
Christina Shipman
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