How Do You Re-Invent Yourself?

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It was my birthday recently, which for me is always a time for pausing, reflecting on the past, and thinking about the future. This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about milestones and setting goals.

One of the things that’s coming up for me is getting stuck — and getting unstuck. I’m so used to feeling driven, having inspiration, and knowing clearly what the next thing is.

This has been true for me for so many years. I knew I wanted to be a journalist, so I went to journalism school. I knew I wanted to work in television and I did for almost twenty years. I wanted to win an Emmy, and I did that. I wanted to be an author, and I wrote and traditionally published several books. I’m trying fiction now, because that’s different and I wanted to see if I could do it. And I could. Now I’m working on children’s books. And of course, I wanted to own my own business and work for myself. And so I’m doing that.

Now I find myself wondering what’s next.

I think as you get older, the inspiration for what you want to do becomes harder to find. And your examples aren’t as obvious as they once were. I’m finding that’s the stage of life I’m at right now.

What’s next? What else do I want to do? I don’t know for sure. So I’m thinking it through, figuring it out, and learning from my community and people who have gone through this phase too.

There’s a quote I love from the psychologist Carl Jung. He said, “Life really does begin at 40. Up until then you are just doing research.” I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot recently as I plan for the future and brainstorm about my next chapter.

I’m a curious person by nature, so I’m always interested in what other people are doing and how they’re doing it. I like learning what makes them happy and how they figured that out for themselves. Because this looks different for everyone. So it’s all about finding inspiration where you can, learning from others, and then trying those lessons out in your own life to see what works and what doesn’t. Everyone has their own journey — but we can also learn from each other.

Here are some of the reinvention ideas I’m taking inspiration from:

1) Take classes.

Taking a class is a great way to meet new people and get to know a new side of yourself. No matter where you live, there are probably lots of classes available (including virtual ones that can be taken from anywhere!). Local community organizations, art centers, and YMCAs are a great place to look.

If you’re not sure what class would be right, one tip I love is to think back to your favorite high school or college classes. What would you like to get back into, or what do you wish you’d taken? Local community colleges often have continuing education programming, including lectures and conversation groups, that can help you figure out what would be fun and interesting for you. And it’s a great way to meet new friends too!

2) Step outside of your comfort zone.

This one will look different for everyone. Sit down and make a list of things you wish you’d done (or want to do) that you feel uncomfortable with or scared of. Maybe it’s taking a solo backpacking trip. Maybe it’s trying stand-up comedy. Maybe it’s finally sitting down to write your memoir. The point is, it’s not too late to do any of those things — and now is the time to try it.

3) Travel to new places.

I love traveling and I always come home with a new perspective on the world. I have some favorite spots that I return to over and over, especially Paris. But I’m also thinking about new spots that I might want to try visiting. This tip is backed by science! Traveling to new places is actually good for your brain, according to research. Vacations are proven to reduce stress hormones. Plus, visiting a new place can actually help increase your ability to be present by getting you out of your routine. Just the thing when you’re feeling stuck!

Not sure where to start? I loved this article from Airbnb about summer travel trends, which includes “playcations” (visiting places where you can do your favorite summer activities) and short-haul trips to picturesque small towns and nature spots.

Even a short trip to a place close by can help you reset and break out of your routine to see things from a new perspective. You just never know what you’ll discover on a trip, who you’ll meet, or what inspiration could strike you.

4) Read memoirs.

I’m a huge fan of memoirs. I love hearing about people’s journeys and how they got where they are today. Some of my favorites from the past couple of years are Stanley Tucci’s book, Taste: My Life Through Food, On the Hippie Trail by Rick Steves, and Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. There is so much to learn from other people’s life stories, especially people who took risks, followed their passions, and reinvented themselves.

I’ve also heard great things about Julia Child’s autobiography, My Life in France. Did you know that before her cooking career, Julia Child worked as a copywriter, wrote for a magazine, created children’s plays, worked in U.S. Intelligence during World War II (she invented a repellent to keep sharks away from submarines!), and lived in Sri Lanka? Yep, all of that before she even learned to cook.

Learning from stories like those can help remind us that life has lots of surprises in store no matter your age — and that it’s never “too late” to try something new.

5) Keep a journal.

Journaling can help you identify patterns, brainstorm ideas, and tune into your emotions. You can try free-writing and see what comes up, or use specific prompts to guide your writing. I’ve heard great things about people who use the techniques in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, which includes the practice of Morning Pages, where you write three pages first thing every morning of whatever pops into your head. It’s a way to clear your mind and begin each day with a fresh start.

6) Prioritize friendships.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of friendship after losing my best friend Nicole in October 2025. I’ve been reflecting on her legacy and I’m struck by how friendship and showing up for others was at the core of who she was. We went on so many wonderful trips together and I’ll always have those memories. She taught me so much about what it means to be a good friend — doing little acts of kindness, listening, and being a mentor and a cheerleader. That’s her legacy. And it’s a lesson I’m still learning from as I think about the next chapter for me.

Reinvention can mean so many things. But it doesn’t mean leaving behind the people who supported you and helped you get where you are. In fact, those are the relationships that will sustain your next chapter. Join me in honoring Nicole’s memory by starting your legacy work now and investing time and attention in your friendships.

7) Stay curious about other people’s journeys.

This is a big one for me since I’m a curious person and I always want to know how other people navigate their journeys. For example, I loved seeing this post on Instagram full of stories from women over 40 who have reinvented themselves. From publishing a first novel to earning a black belt to becoming a full-time scuba instructor, it’s so inspiring to hear how other women 40+ have transformed, grown, and fulfilled their dreams. Having that community (even if it’s virtual) can inspire you to really think about what happiness means to you — and to go for it, even if it’s scary.

8) Start with a small change.

Making a big change (like switching careers or moving across the country) is a huge step. And you don’t have to do something that drastic to reinvent yourself. In fact, small changes matter a lot too. Switching up your routine can have a big impact. After all, those routines and habits are how we spend our days (and our lives!).

Maybe you want to try biking to work one day a week. Maybe it’s setting up a standing Sunday coffee date with a pal. Maybe it’s a new sleep routine. Whatever it is, starting small can help you reclaim your time in a manageable way that still makes an impact.

I like to start by imagining an ideal day — not a vacation day, just an everyday weekday or weekend. What would you do? Who would you spend it with and where would you go? Use those answers to think about how you can shift your dream closer to reality.

9) Volunteer.

Did you know volunteering is actually good for your health? It’s true. The Mayo Clinic reports that volunteering reduces stress and helps boost your physical and mental health. And of course, it’s great for your community and gets you connected to the people around you.

There are so many ways to volunteer and get involved in your community. Idealist.org is a good place to start. They have an extensive database of volunteering opportunities and you can filter to find ones close to your home. Volunteering can help re-establish your sense of purpose and connection while also making a real impact on the people in your community.

10) Try a new hobby.

Hobbies can have an outsized impact on your life, goals, and trajectory. So it’s worth trying something new when you’re feeling stuck. It could be anything. For me it’s been tarot. I’ve been taking tarot classes (see tip #1!) and it’s become a huge source of creativity in my life. I started out knowing very little about it and now I’m a certified tarot card reader. You never know what you might connect with.

Whether it’s bird-watching, knitting, baking sourdough, or something else, give it a shot for a few months. Really get into it. See if there are groups you can join to learn from others in your area — lots of cities have birdwatching and knitting clubs, for instance. It’s a lot easier to get into a hobby when you have a group encouraging you and showing you the ropes.

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