Why Now? The Power of Doing the Work in Your 40s
Your 40s can bring about significant transitions and challenges—some anticipated, others less so. This decade is unique because of the variety of experiences women often face.
You might be navigating perimenopause, caring for aging parents, or watching your children leave home for the first time. Perhaps you’re changing careers, ending a long-term relationship, or stepping into a new marriage. Some women are trying to have children, while others are becoming grandparents.
With so many possible life changes, it’s no wonder anxiety can feel more present during this stage of life. These transitions may feel like too much all at once, tapping into deeper questions about identity, purpose, and what comes next.
Understanding the Emotional Weight of Life’s Transitions
Your life’s experiences—relationships, struggles, and achievements—don’t just shape who you are. They can also leave an imprint on your body. Stress and anxiety often show up as physical sensations, even when you aren’t consciously aware of what’s causing them.
For example, have you ever noticed your shoulders tighten after a difficult conversation? Or felt a knot in your stomach when something else gets added to the list? (The Emotional Cost of “Having It All”.) These sensations aren’t random. They’re signals that this stress or anxiety is tapping into where past experiences are stored in your body.
Recognizing this connection between emotions and physical sensations is the first step toward exploring what’s beneath the surface.
Challenging the Stigma Around Therapy
For many women, there’s still hesitation around seeking therapy, often tied to lingering misconceptions:
“Therapy is only for people with serious problems.”
Therapy is a space for anyone who wants to understand themselves better and grow, not just for those in crisis.
“I’ve managed this far on my own—I should be able to keep going.” (The Shame Around Stress and Therapy)
This belief can feel like a badge of honor, but it’s okay to need support. Therapy is about creating room for self-compassion, not proving you can do everything on your own.
By addressing these misconceptions, therapy becomes less about “fixing” and more about fostering self-awareness and growth.
How Therapy Supports You Through Change
Therapy offers tools and insights to help you better understand yourself and navigate life’s transitions. It’s about exploring the root of your stress or anxiety and creating space for meaningful growth. Here’s what it can offer:
Processing Emotional Weight: Unpack the experiences that may still influence your thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
Recognizing the Mind-Body Connection: Explore how stress and anxiety manifest in your body and develop ways to respond more effectively.
Building Healthier Relationships: Clarify which connections in your life feel nourishing and where boundaries may need to be strengthened.
Therapy creates a supportive environment where you can reflect, learn, and grow without judgment.
Reflective Questions to Start the Journey
If you’ve been feeling a pull toward change, here are a few questions to consider:
What situations in my life consistently bring up feelings of stress or anxiety?
When I think about my current responsibilities, what feels the heaviest?
What would my life look like if I felt more at peace with my choices?
These aren’t questions you need to answer all at once. Instead, let them be a starting point for awareness and exploration.
Why Now Is the Right Time
Your 40s offer a unique opportunity for growth—not because there’s a deadline, but because this is a time when life’s transitions often create space for reflection. It’s a chance to take stock of where you’ve been and consider what’s next.
Doing the deeper work now can help you face these transitions with greater clarity and create a life that feels more aligned with your needs and values.