In this episode of The Year of Being 70 Ep 11 - Looking back to turning 40: Life Changes, Growth & New Beginnings, childhood friends Lucy and Lisette reflect on the significant changes they both experienced when they turned 40, sharing their journeys from a transformative and liberating time in their lives.
Lucy opens up about the tumultuous period when her first marriage ended and the start of a new chapter with her second husband. She describes how her 40s marked the beginning of a fresh start, both personally and professionally, as she transitioned into a career as a work-life balance consultant. Lisette shares her own experiences of embracing a childfree life and focusing on business and personal growth in her 40s. She also shares how she met her partner, Jos, who shared her decision not to have children.
Both friends discuss the societal stigma and expectations surrounding the age of 40 and how, instead of feeling like the start of "middle age," they both found their 40s to be a time of empowerment and transformation. They offer valuable insights into how life in middle age can be far from the negative narrative that is often portrayed.
Key Highlights in This Episode:
Stepping into Middle Age?
Turning 40 is often associated with leaving "youth" behind and entering "middle age," but for Lucy, it represented a completely new beginning. She started a new relationship, made plans for a new family, and shifted into a career as a work-life balance consultant. Lisette saw turning 40 as the moment she could finally embrace her decision to remain childfree, having passed the age where it was a possibility. Her partner Jos shared the same values, and together they embraced this life choice. Despite entering this phase of life, neither Lucy nor Lisette felt as though they were stepping into "middle age"; instead, they felt they were entering a new, exciting chapter.
Changing Careers
Lisette made a major career shift at 40, selling her company and moving away from the corporate world to explore more environmental and spiritual movements. During this transition, she connected with new groups of people, discovering the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland and participating in the life-changing Transformation Game. On the other hand, Lucy began working in the emerging field of work-life balance, running flexible working trials for businesses such as Microsoft, Virgin, government departments, and small businesses. She helped organisations adopt flexible working practices that improved employee satisfaction and work-life balance.
What’s in a Name?
Lucy and Lisette also discuss the role their names play in their new relationships. Lucy was surprised to learn that Lisette and her partner Jos had actually married, but Lisette had never changed her name. Lucy shares her own experience of changing her name after her first marriage, yet continuing to use her maiden name professionally for over 20 years. After her second marriage, she took her husband's name, McCarraher, to signify a fresh start and perhaps even a new identity. Lucy now has a unique name that sets her apart, as there is no other "Lucy McCarraher" that she knows of.
Conclusions: Turning 40 and Beyond
Lisette and Lucy concluded that both turning 40 and turning 70 are often seen as moments when people enter a new, "older" phase of life. However, their experiences show that turning 40 is not a time for slowing down or settling into the status quo. Instead, both women embraced their 40s as a time of development, new relationships, career changes, and personal growth. They encourage listeners to view middle age not as an end, but as a new, exciting chapter filled with endless possibilities.
Why You Should Listen:
This episode is a must-listen for anyone about to turn 40, currently in their 40s, or navigating any phase of life where personal growth and transformation are key. Lucy and Lisette’s candid...
