Midlife Matters: Linda Butler
Redefining success for women over 50 means letting go of outdated expectations and choosing authenticity, alignment, and joy as our new benchmarks.
Most of us were raised to care deeply about approval. Grades. Gold stars. Titles. Trends. From the moment we could dress ourselves or manage a calendar, we were told how to perform womanhood “correctly.” Now, at midlife, that script is sounding tired. That mask is feeling heavy.
The most liberating move you can make? Create your own definition of success. But not the shiny, hustle-harder kind. We’re talking about getting real. Subtracting what doesn’t feel like yours and reclaiming what does.
There’s no badge for pushing through what drains you. No trophy for playing small so others stay comfortable. What’s the best move now? Saying no without explanation. Saying yes without overthinking. Walking away from outdated roles that just don’t serve you anymore.
What Redefining Success For Women Over 50 Really Looks Like:
Success used to mean meeting and exceeding standards set by others. Today, it means being fully yourself. Radical? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
Is it easy? Not always. We’ve spent decades being taught to care what others think. Becoming the full, true version of yourself takes practice. Persistence. And grace when old habits creep in.
We’re living through a time of massive global and cultural change. It’s no longer realistic to manage our lives like it’s the 1990s. Linear careers? Please. Perfection? Exhausting. his isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about finally listening to yourself. No apologies. No performance. Just presence.
That old question we ask, “Do I measure up?” needs to go. Midlife can be the most expressive, creative, and freeing time yet. When you get to exit the comparison cycle. Stop waiting for permission.
What Actually Matters Now?
Here’s a wild idea: what if “more” isn’t the goal anymore? Not more hustle. Not more perfection. More truth.
Let’s measure success differently:
• Boundaries kept = energy saved
• Joy experienced = life fully lived
• Rules broken = living your truth
• Risks taken = regrets avoided
You don’t need to optimize your mornings. You need to feel something when you wake up. Enthusiasm over discipline.
Owning Your Life:
This isn’t the chapter to go quietly. This is the one where you take the mic. Living a fulfilling and meaningful life is not about the “likes.” We’re here to be real. This is the season to be comfortable in your own skin and lead with honesty and heart. You don’t have to prove anything or please everyone.
Real strength comes from knowing who you are and living it out loud. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for becoming more you. That kind of authenticity inspires others to do the same.
Five Truths To Anchor Your Power:
1. You’re Not Too Late:
Start today. One small action toward your dream is more powerful than ten years of waiting.
2. You Don’t Owe Pretty Or Polished:
Show up anyway. Say the thing. Wear the outfit. Hit publish.
3. Opting Out Is A Power Move:
Step away from the stuff that feels performative. Decline the invite. Unfollow. Unsubscribe.
4. Success = Self-Alignment, Not Approval:
Before saying yes, ask: does this feel right to me? If not, trust that.
5. The Best Years Ahead:
Make bold plans. Sign up for the class. Launch the idea. Your future wants your attention.
The world doesn’t need the dialed down version of you. It needs the one who stopped giving a damn and started living wide open.
What would your life look like if you stopped asking for permission and just started being?
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About the Author:
Linda C. Butler, a former HR executive turned entrepreneur and coach, is passionate about empowering midlife professional women to become the CEOs of their own lives. After navigating her own transformative journey following a layoff at age 50, Linda now leverages her extensive corporate leadership experience and neuroscience-based coaching expertise to help women redefine personal success on their terms.
She focuses on uncovering and overcoming limiting beliefs, embracing authentic leadership styles, and establishing healthy boundaries. Her holistic approach ensures a harmonious blend of career, family, and personal health and well-being for a more fulfilling second chapter. Linda’s mission is to inspire midlife women to stop settling and become the architects of the future they truly deserve. You can find Linda here, on Linden Lotus Consulting.
