Midlife Reinvention Thought Leader: Yvonne Marchese
Trying something new in midlife isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about showing up courageously in the messy middle and learning as you go.
Growth rarely feels graceful.
Sometimes it looks like bloopers, shaky hands, and figuring it out in public.
Recently, I decided to do something that scared me a little — I said yes to an opportunity that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I attended my first podcasting conference, spoke on stage for the first time, and tried something new behind the scenes that definitely didn’t go perfectly.
But here’s the thing: even though things didn’t go as planned, I learned so much about courage, curiosity, and the power of community.
The Myth of “Ready”
Trying Something New in Midlife: Start Before You Feel Ready
When we picture confidence, we often imagine a calm, polished version of ourselves. But in real life, confidence doesn’t show up until after we take the leap.
If I’ve learned anything in midlife, it’s that waiting until you feel ready is just another way of avoiding the unknown. You don’t need to have it all figured out; you just need to be willing to take the first imperfect step.
Trying something new, whether it’s a career shift, a creative pursuit, or an act of self-expression, almost always feels uncomfortable at first. That discomfort isn’t a sign you’re failing; it’s a sign you’re growing.
Learning in Public
When I started my podcast, I had no idea what I was doing. And now, years later, I’m still learning — only the experiments have gotten bigger.
This time, I decided to combine my podcasting and YouTube worlds. It was an experiment in learning out loud, and it reminded me that growth is often messy… but that’s also what makes it exciting.
I made mistakes. I laughed at myself. And I came home with new friendships, fresh insights, and a renewed sense of why community matters so much.
The Power of Play
Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a mindset that makes us more resilient. When we bring playfulness into the moments that feel intimidating, we shift from performing to experimenting.
Instead of asking, “What if I mess up?” we start asking, “What might I learn?”
That one little shift can change everything, especially in midlife, when it’s so easy to stick with what feels safe and familiar.
A Gentle Reminder
If you’ve been standing at the edge of something new, waiting for the perfect time, this is your nudge: there’s no such thing as ready.
- Start before you feel prepared.
- Let curiosity lead.
- Allow yourself to bloom through the messy middle.
The truth is, your imperfect first steps might just become the most beautiful part of your story.
Watch the companion video:
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Yvonne Marchese is the host of the Late Bloomer Living Podcast, a professional photographer, mother and wife. At the age of 48, she realized that she’d bought into a story about getting old that was adversely affecting her health and relationships.
Changing her story about aging inspired her to start the Late Bloomer Living Podcast where she is on a mission to redefine society’s ideas on aging and exploring how to live a life by design. Yvonne believes that midlife is filled with possibility, that it’s never too late to pursue a dream and that the stories we tell ourselves have tremendous power. Who knew that midlife could be so much fun? Follow Yvonne on IG –@latebloomerliving
