We Need To Stop Using This Word

There’s something about using the word “reinvention” for women in midlife that doesn’t sit right with me.

When I left my 30-year career as a news anchor, I wasn’t “reinventing” myself.

I had been talking about menopause on social media for nearly five years. The more I opened up about my experience, the more I heard from other women who were dealing with the same frustrations I was. As the community grew, I quickly realized that menopause was still whispered about. Women weren’t getting the care they needed and doctors weren’t being educated. There was this huge information gap that no one was filling. Something needed to change.

Up until that point, I thought I’d work as a news anchor until I “aged out” of the business. But with the realization that women in midlife weren’t getting the care or attention they deserved, I made the bold decision to go full time into menopause advocacy. I knew that if it could make an impact on social media, I could make an impact beyond that.

I always tell people to “live their someday today.” The time had come for me and I had to walk the talk.

As I made the transition out of the newsroom and into menopause advocacy, I heard a lot of murmurings that I had “reinvented” myself. My response was always the same. I didn’t reinvent myself at all, I’d say. I built on what I learned over 30 years in one industry and took it into my next chapter. Sure, my life changed, but I was still the same person. I was evolving.

Women in midlife are often scared to make the jump into something new. Trust me, I get it. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: You’re more ready to make a change in midlife than ever before. You have the lived experience that you never had before. You know yourself better than you ever have before. If you’re drawn to a new chapter, trust your gut. Follow it. See where it leads.

I’m super passionate about this topic, which is why I asked singer-songwriter and actress Kandi Burruss to join me on The Tamsen Show. If there’s only one person that will give you the confidence to step into your next chapter, that person is Kandi. From getting a record deal at sixteen to writing the global hit “No Scrubs,” building multiple businesses, starring in & Juliet on Broadway, and stepping away from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kandi has built and rebuilt her life on her own terms time and time again.

In this episode, Kandi Burruss will encourage you to…

• Start a new chapter at any age
• Stop talking about your ideas and start executing them
• Prioritize joy while pursuing success
• Build longevity in business and entertainment
• Stop letting other people’s opinions hold you back

When I left my career almost 3 years ago, I knew what my purpose was, but I had no idea where it would take me. It was the scariest decision I had ever made. Now, having built this incredible community, I know that it was also the most incredible, fulfilling, and meaningful decision I ever made. 

If I can do it, you can too. And remember, it’s not about reinvention. It’s about using the tools you have to grow, to evolve, to step into the person you are capable of becoming.

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