'Is this it?!' How to navigate this mid-career realisation

So, you’re in your 30s or 40s, right? You’ve spent years (decades!) building a career, balancing life, and checking off those “should” boxes, but something doesn’t feel quite right anymore.

Maybe you’re starting to feel restless. Maybe you’ve plateaued or had one of those lightbulb moments where you realise, "This isn’t what I want anymore." Or have you slammed into the I-can’t-do-this-anymore wall? 

If this sounds like you, let me tell you — you’re not alone. Many women reach a point in their mid-career where they start questioning where they’ve landed and what they want from the rest of their working life. You might even be reading the term ‘mid-career’ and thinking… gawd, is that really me? Am I there already? 

Whether it’s feeling stuck and frustrated in a career box you can’t seem to escape, or a nagging feeling that there’s something more fulfilling out there for you, the idea of a career change can be both thrilling and terrifying.

But here’s the thing: getting clear on what you truly want is a game changer.

The power of reconnecting with yourself

Once you take a step back and reconnect with who you are — here, now, today — the fog starts to lift. You begin to feel less overwhelmed and uncertain, and instead, you start to see what’s possible for you. Rather than being stuck in indecision and limitations, you feel empowered: drawn towards your potential future instead of pushing away from your present.

It’s about understanding what lights you up, what truly matters to you, and what brings joy to your life — not just professionally, but personally as well. This clarity allows you to realign your future with who you are now.

Shining a light on the path ahead

Getting clear on what you want is like a snowball that keeps building… or an onion that keeps peeling (choose your analogy!). Because, once you know where you’re headed, you can unravel the knots and see how to get there.

But here’s the catch: knowing and doing are two separate things. Feeling confident in your choices and ready to take action is the next step. I get it — change is scary. Making a career shift, or even contemplating one, can trigger a wave of self-doubt and second-guessing.

Building your confidence

But here’s the truth: confidence doesn’t come from knowing every detail of the path ahead. It comes from trusting yourself enough to take that first step, knowing you have what it takes to figure it out along the way.

When you have clarity and trust in yourself and your direction, the fear begins to fade. You can make clearer decisions that feel aligned with who you are and what you want. Instead of playing it safe, you start creating a life and career that genuinely excites you.

Is it time for a change?

How do you know if it’s time for a change, or if you're simply in a temporary slump? What’s the difference between pushing through a rough patch and feeling like the grind is grinding you down?

There are usually signs that you're approaching a crossroads, especially as a woman with everything that we carry and juggle. Maybe you wake up dreading the day ahead or can’t recall the last time you felt inspired at work. Perhaps you’ve begun asking yourself, "Is this really what I want to do for the next 10 or 20 years?" or "Will I look back and feel proud of the career I created?"

Here are a few more clues:

• Daydreaming about a different life: If "what if" scenarios keep popping into your head, that might be telling.
• Inner dissonance with your work: As your life and values evolve, work that once aligned may feel out of sync with who you’ve become.
• Feeling stuck or unappreciated: If your contributions aren’t recognised, frustration can set in.
• Burnout creeping in: Physical or mental exhaustion is a strong indicator that something needs to change.
• Craving new challenges: If you're no longer growing or excited by what you do, stagnation can feel suffocating.

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to explore what’s next. The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Coaching: A powerful way to navigate change

Career transitions can feel overwhelming, but having a coach by your side can make all the difference.

A coach will help you get crystal clear on what you want, so you can focus on moving forward instead of feeling lost in the overwhelm of possibilities. In a non-judgmental, safe space, you can explore your ideas, fears, and dreams with someone objective and unbiased yet whose sole focus is your goals and needs.

Change often brings fear and self-doubt. But with the right support, you'll better understand what’s holding you back, and unlock new ways to view yourself and your situation, enabling you to develop trust in your decisions and the confidence to take action. 

Career shifts aren’t just about landing a new job — they’re about reconnecting with who you are and what truly matters, and aligning our work with the lifestyle we need for the stage of life we're in.

Given that we are evolving humans (thank god I’m not the same person I was at 21 years old!), no wonder it’s common to reach 10/15/20 years into our careers and start to feel off track. But when you embrace this opportunity for change, it can be the most empowering decision you make for a more aligned and fulfilling life.