Midlife Matters: Diane Amelia Read
Risk-taking in midlife isn’t reckless, it’s often the spark behind unexpected, life-changing moments. Like what happened to me one night.
It was just another Tuesday night, another weekly rehearsal. Until suddenly, it wasn’t. Our regular singer was out, and we were warming up when the leader of our band turned to me and asked, “Do you know this song?”
My stomach flipped. I felt exposed.
Of course I knew the song. I’d sung it countless times, alone. Decades of paralyzing stage fright prevented otherwise. The song was in Portuguese, a language I didn’t speak. I’d never fronted a band or sung into a microphone, but I knew to my core that if I said no, I would regret it for the rest of my life.
I would have been forgiven for saying “no.” We’re taught to avoid risks …to play it safe, to be sensible, to stay in our lane. But what if playing it safe is actually holding us back?
For women our age, taking risks isn’t reckless. It’s revolutionary. If you want to grow, glow, and thrive in your third act, risk-taking is essential self-care.
The Secret Power Of Risk In Midlife:
By the time we reach our 50s, we’ve been holding it all together for a long time. Managing homes. Nurturing careers, families, friendships. Navigating expectations. We can lose touch with what it feels like to do something bold purely for ourselves.
Risk-taking helps us remember.
Novel experiences, especially those outside your comfort zone, are fuel for the brain and improve brain plasticity and cognitive function. The brain is wired for growth, even (and especially) in later life, and it thrives on newness.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is darned good for the soul, too. Taking action on things that scare us a little can improve our confidence and sense of agency. It’s not just the success of the risk that changes us, it’s the act of daring.
Why Now Is The Time:
Midlife is a turning point. The ground shifts: in our bodies, our relationships, our sense of purpose. We start to ask deeper questions. What’s next? Who am I now?
But too many women get stuck waiting … for certainty, for clarity, for permission. Truth bomb: certainty is a myth. Risk is the bridge between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. And by this point in our lives, we’ve lived enough to recognize that fear doesn’t have to mean stop. Sometimes, fear is a neon sign pointing straight toward growth.
Start Small To Build Big Courage:
You don’t need to leap into the unknown overnight. Risk doesn’t have to mean quitting your job or bungee jumping. Courage is a muscle, and little reps matter.
Here are five micro-risks that build your bravery muscles:
- Speak up in a group even if your voice wobbles.
- Take a solo day trip just because you want to.
- Try something new like salsa dancing, stand-up, weightlifting.
- Share your truth. Ask for help. Say what you really think.
- Say yes to something exciting before you feel 100% “ready.” (Pssst, you never will.)
Every such moment is a breadcrumb that leads you out of hiding and into your fullest expression. It tells your brain, I’ve done scary things before, and I can do this too.
The Ripple Effect Of Saying Yes:
Saying yes … especially when it scares you … changes how you see yourself. You’re no longer the woman watching from the sidelines. You’re the one creating the story, and that shift in identity is magnetic. It lights you up from the inside out.
In legacy terms, what greater gift can you leave than giving another woman tacit permission to spread her wings by doing so yourself?
When It’s Time To Leap:
Okay, just what happens when the big moment comes? The one that makes your palms sweat and your heart race?
- You breathe. You remember your track record of small brave moves. And then you…
- Name it. “This feels risky because it matters.”
- Visualize. Picture the win and who you’ll become, even if it’s messy.
- Get support. Courage doesn’t mean doing it alone. Phone a friend. Ask for backup.
Even if it doesn’t go perfectly, you’ve already stepped forward. You’re already becoming.
Why Risk-Taking in Midlife Is Essential for Growth:
That Tuesday night, I walked into rehearsal as a “closet singer.” As I approached the mic, I felt nauseated, but I had to stay completely in the moment to not screw up the song. In four minutes, my feeling morphed from cold sweat to “This is awesome!” and I was redefined.
That “yes” changed everything. I ended up leading my own Brazilian-music band for 13 beautiful years. But the real win wasn’t the music. It was that I trusted myself enough to try. Taking risks isn’t about being fearless. It’s about doing the thing while being afraid. That’s power. That’s midlife magic.
So go ahead: say yes, say no, say “I don’t know, but I’ll give it a shot.” This season of your life is ripe with possibility. The more you lean into your own edge, the more fully you’ll thrive.
You’re not too late. You’re right on time. And the next big adventure?
It might be one tiny risk away.
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About the Author:
Diane Amelia Read is an experienced growth partner, health and mindset advisor, stereotype disrupter, and surfer wannabe. She’s a Reiki Master Teacher, podcaster, StreetWise MBA graduate, and samba singer, Law of Attraction mentor, and motivational speaker.
Her mission is to make the world a more loving and interconnected place by helping women love themselves first so they can bring their most joy-filled awesomeness to everyone and everything else without depleting themselves
As a Mind & Body Alchemist For Women Over 50, Diane Amelia’s unique personal transformation toolbox is chock full of options for midlife women ready for sustainable improvement in their health, confidence, mindset, income, community, or all of the above.
