I’m 50, Now What: A Personal Journey to Overcoming Negative Thoughts About My Age
Lordy, Lordy Look Who’s….50?!
Let’s talk about that tricky little thing called aging—specifically, hitting a milestone birthday and the avalanche of thoughts that came with it.
So, I just turned 50, and while I wish I could say I was all about celebrating and eating cake 🎂, the truth is, I was battling some pretty intense thoughts. Thoughts like:
“I’m 50 now what?” “You’ve wasted so much time, and here you are, still overweight, still struggling with your health, still single.”
“Life is never going to change—it’s too late.”
Fun, right? 🙃
I found myself in this Groundhog Day loop of negative thinking, and it was dragging me down. It wasn’t just about turning 50; it was about looking back at my life and feeling like I hadn’t done enough, accomplished enough, or been enough. And honestly, I felt stuck. The kind of stuck where you just want to throw up your hands and say, “What’s the point?”
But here’s the thing—I’m a Christian life coach. I help other people get unstuck for a living. So, there I was, preaching mindset transformation to my clients, and feeling like a total hypocrite because I was still drowning in my own negative thoughts. You know what they say: Physician, heal thyself. 😂
The Thought Spiral That Pulled Me In
Let me give you a little peek into the thoughts that hit me the hardest:
“I’m turning 50, now what am I supposed to do? It’s too late to ______ (fill in the blank).”
“You’ve wasted so much time. Still struggling with your weight, your health, and you’re still single.” (which then lead to the fear of dying alone).
“Nothing is ever going to change. You’re 50 now, and it’s just too late to start anything new.”
And my personal favorite: “50 feels so old… I remember when my mom turned 50!”
Oh, and don’t get me started on the comparison game. The worst part of my spiral? Seeing people my age (or younger!) who seemed to have it all together. “She’s in her 40s and look how much she’s accomplished!” or finding out someone who looks really old is… (gasp!) my age!! I felt like I was falling behind, and it hit hard.
The Moment I Realized I Didn’t Have to Stay Stuck
Funny enough, it took a coaching session with one of my clients to make me realize I didn’t have to believe those thoughts. As I was helping her navigate her own negative mindset, it was like the Holy Spirit was tapping me on the shoulder, whispering, “Amy, are YOU listening to what you’re saying?”
Ouch. Talk about conviction.
I realized that if I wanted to help others, I had to first help myself. It was time to put into practice the tools I’ve been teaching for years. I couldn’t control that I was turning 50, but I could definitely control my thoughts about it.
Reframing My Thoughts (aka How I Got Out of the Funk)
So, here’s what I did. I started using a tool I love called The Thought Model:
- Circumstance: I’m turning 50. It’s a neutral fact. It’s just happening.
- Thought: I was telling myself, “I’ve wasted too much time. It’s too late.”
- Feeling: This thought made me feel sad, regretful, and stuck.
- Action: Because I felt so bad, I was avoiding making any new decisions or taking any steps forward.
- Result: Surprise, surprise! I stayed stuck and miserable.
The game changer? Reframing the thought. Instead of thinking, “It’s too late,” I started asking, “What if I’m just getting started?” “What if God has bigger plans for me in this season than I ever imagined?” And guess what? That shift in thought began to change everything.
Three Questions That Helped Me Break Free
Jon Acuff talks about three simple but powerful questions in his book Soundtracks, and they really helped me:
- Is it true? Well, sure, I’m turning 50. But the idea that I’ve “wasted my life” or that “it’s too late” is NOT true.
- Is it helpful? Nope. These thoughts were making me feel awful.
- Is it kind? Would I say this to a friend? Absolutely not.
It’s amazing what happens when you start challenging the thoughts you’ve been believing for so long. They lose their power. You start to see the truth behind them—or lack thereof.
Biblical Truths About Aging: God’s Not Done With Me Yet
One of the most comforting parts of this process was turning to scripture. I kept coming back to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God doesn’t have an expiration date for His promises. He doesn’t say, “Oh, you’re 50? Sorry, you missed your chance.” If anything, the Bible is FULL of people who flourished later in life. Abraham and Sarah were 90 and 100 when they were promised a son! Moses was 80 when he led the Israelites out of Egypt.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized—50 isn’t the end of anything. If anything, it’s the start of a new season, and I can choose to step into it with hope and excitement instead of fear.
Looking for Evidence That My Thoughts Were Wrong
So, I started looking for evidence to prove my old thoughts wrong. Did you know Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t write her first book until she was 65? Julia Child was 49 when she wrote her first cookbook. Martha Stewart? Vera Wang? Both became wildly successful after 50.
And then I thought about the women in my life who are thriving in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. They’re living proof that it’s never too late to grow, thrive, and step into God’s calling.
Here’s What I Want You to Know
If you’re feeling stuck, whether it’s because of your age or because you’re caught in a loop of negative thoughts, I want to encourage you to start challenging those thoughts. Ask yourself: Is this true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? You’d be surprised at how quickly you can start shifting your mindset when you stop believing the lies that have been holding you back.
Here’s the truth: You are not too late. You are not too old. You are right where God wants you, and His plans for you are good. He’s not done with you yet.
So, if you’re ready to break free from negative thoughts and step into the life you were meant for, tune in to my latest podcast episode. I share all the details of my journey through this process and how you can start reframing your thoughts today.
You’ve got this, friend. The best is yet to come.
Ready for a Breakthrough?
Do you feel stuck in the past or worried about the future? If you’re struggling to live in the moment, I’d love to help. As a Christian Life Coach, I specialize in guiding women to experience breakthroughs and live with more peace and clarity.
Book a free, no-obligation breakthrough session today! Together, we’ll uncover practical strategies for staying present and trusting God with your next steps.
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Related Episodes
Overcoming Negative Thoughts
Breakthrough to Success: Transforming Your Mindset from Fixed to Growth & Taking Every Thought Captive
What Does the Bible Say About God’s Rest
Finding Peace: The Power of Mental Rest for Christian Women
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