Aspire and Achieve with Annie
Aspire and Achieve with Annie is the go-to podcast for women navigating life’s biggest transitions—whether it's empty nesting, divorce, retirement, or grief. Hosted by certified life coach Annie Lewellyn, this podcast offers heartfelt guidance, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help you rediscover purpose, build confidence, and embrace your next chapter. With humor, inspiration, and real-life wisdom, Annie shares the lessons she's learned from overcoming her own struggles, proving that transformation is possible at any stage of life.
Tune in every Monday at 7 AM for your weekly dose of motivation, empowerment, and the tools you need to create a fulfilling, joyful future.
Aspire and Achieve with Annie
Starting Over In MidLife: Scary or Exciting
Let’s be real. Starting over at midlife? It can feel terrifying. Maybe you’re rebuilding after divorce, re-entering the workforce, moving to a new place, or simply realizing that the life you’ve been living… isn’t the one you want anymore. It can feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain.
But here’s the truth I want you to hold onto: Starting over isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning. What if, instead of seeing this chapter as something to fear, you could see it as your opportunity to create the life you truly want?
That’s what we’re diving into today. I’m sharing the mindset shift that will help you embrace this season with confidence instead of fear.
Annie Lewellyn (Website)
annie@annielewellyn.com (email)
Hello and welcome back to Aspire and Achieve with Annie! If you are in a season of starting over—whether by choice or circumstance—today’s episode is for you.
Let’s be real. Starting over at midlife? It can feel terrifying. Maybe you’re rebuilding after divorce, re-entering the workforce, moving to a new place, or simply realizing that the life you’ve been living… isn’t the one you want anymore. It can feel overwhelming, lonely, and uncertain.
But here’s the truth I want you to hold onto: Starting over isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning. What if, instead of seeing this chapter as something to fear, you could see it as your opportunity to create the life you truly want?
That’s what we’re diving into today. I’m sharing the mindset shift that will help you embrace this season with confidence instead of fear.
WHY STARTING OVER FEELS SO HARD
Let’s talk about why starting over—especially at midlife—feels so daunting.
Most of us were raised with this idea that by a certain age, we’re supposed to have it all figured out. Marriage, career, family, stability—it’s like we were handed this invisible checklist, and if something falls apart, it feels like we’ve failed.
But here’s the thing: Life doesn’t follow a checklist. It’s not meant to be one straight, predictable path.
So why does starting over feel so hard?
Fear of the Unknown – We like certainty. And when the future feels unpredictable, it’s easy to panic.
External Expectations – Society, family, even our own inner critic tells us that we 'should' be settled by now.
Self-Doubt – Thoughts like 'Am I too old for this?' or 'What if I fail?' creep in and make us hesitate.
But let me tell you something: You are not starting from zero. You are starting with experience, wisdom, and strength you didn’t have in your 20s or 30s. That’s a powerful place to be."
REFRAMING STARTING OVER AS AN OPPORTUNITY
Alright, let’s flip the script. Instead of seeing this season as something to fear, let’s see it as an opportunity.
Here’s a powerful mindset shift for you:
What if this is happening FOR you, not TO you?
Think about it—what if this new chapter is your chance to:
Pursue something you always wanted but never had the time or courage for.
Let go of what wasn’t serving you and finally build a life that excites you.
Rediscover who you are outside of roles like ‘mom,’ ‘wife,’ or ‘employee.’
Your past does not define you. And your future? That’s up to you."
YOUR QUICK WIN – A MINDSET SHIFT EXERCISE
Let’s do something right now. I want you to close your eyes (unless you’re driving—then keep them open, please!).
Take a deep breath. And ask yourself:
If I could start over with zero fear, what would I do?
What excites me when I think about the future?
What’s one small step I can take today toward that vision?
Now, instead of thinking, 'What if it doesn’t work out?' I want you to try:
'What if it DOES?'
Because here’s the thing—our thoughts shape our reality. The way you talk to yourself about this transition will determine how you experience it. And trust me, you can create something amazing from here."
So, let’s recap:
Starting over is not a failure—it’s a new beginning.
You are not starting from scratch; you are starting from experience.
Shifting your mindset from fear to possibility changes everything.
As always, thank you for spending this time with me. You are capable, you are strong, and this new chapter? It’s yours to create. I’ll see you next week!"