Midlife self-obsession is approved.
It’s not selfish. It’s our time.
Hi, good peeps. I’ve got my golden shit shovel and I’m ready to dig into today’s nugget:
Midlife Self-Obsession!
One of the biggest takeaways from my whole midlife reinvention journey has been that it’s totally fine to become obsessed with yourself. We've been moms or wives for so long and we get so used to being in tune with what everybody else needs. Like, “Oh, my teenager hasn’t been playing on their sports team for awhile. They really need to get outside!”
But like, what about f#ing me?! Maybe I should get my ass outside, maybe I should start focusing on me!
Just starting this podcast was a big shift for me and for my family. My kids and my husband are used to: I text Sarah and she responds in a nanosecond.
But then when I started this passion project, everyone was asking, “Wait, why aren't you answering our texts?” Even my husband said, “You're not present here. You're not downstairs at exactly 6:15.”
It took a minute for everyone to realize, “Oh, wait a second, Sarah/mom…she has other things to do than constantly wait on us!”
I've been a performance-driven person my whole life: go to these schools, get these grades,
check all these benchmark boxes, etc.
Creating The Flexible Neurotic was the first time where someone else wasn't creating those benchmarks for me. I was actually creating them myself. I had to get comfortable with living in the murky, messy, swampy land of inner work in order to bring this creation to life.
I was saying to myself, “I'm going to create this personal creation of mine, this passion project, and I'm going to put it out into the world! Is someone going to listen? Are people going to care?”
I was 45 then. It was so hard to start as a beginner and I felt so small.
One of the biggest things that I've learned in this process (listen to Episode Two with Pamela Salzman) is this idea of being scared and doing it anyway. I’ve realized that there’s a difference between confidence and courage. I knew that I was a confident person, but it took courage for me to say, “Okay, I'm gonna get naked and run through the mall and start a new Instagram with zero followers! I’m going to put out a podcast!”
It takes courage to stop doing what everyone expects of you and start creating what you truly want in life.
I hope this episode helps you find the courage and the inspiration to pick up your golden shit shovel and dig deep into what you want this midlife remix to be for you. Remember, focusing on yourself is not selfish. It’s your time.
Enjoying these Hot Takes?
Listen to Episode 29: Why “Me” in This Midlife Journey? Midlife Self-Obsession is Approved with Angella Nazerian
Looking for more Golden Nuggets for your midlife reinvention?
Ryan Haddon
Courage: The 6 Areas It Impacts Your Life
Angella Nazarian
Five Questions Every Woman Should Ask Herself
Finding Angella Nazarian
Angella Nazarian’s Books
Pioneers of the Possible: Celebrating Visionary Women of the World
Creative Couples: Collaborations That Changed History (French Edition)
Finding Dr. Sarah Milken