Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

If you are a woman in your midlife, this blogpost is for you. But it’s also for anyone else who feels a little like you have no idea of what your goals should be, what your passions are, or what values you live your life by.

As humans, we are designed to be constantly growing and changing. But sometimes you don’t keep up with all the changes, and you may not recognise this current version of yourself.

You carry on as you always have, expecting that you still want the same things in life, have the same dream, passion or values you always did. Maybe it’s time to get to know you again…

Let me introduce you to yourself

Friend, I’d like you to meet YOU. (Imagine you are seeing yourself in a full-length mirror.)

Look at this strong and able woman. Look really closely… You see it don’t you? Those subtle, beautiful changes to her body, her hair and skin.

This woman right in front of you (as I wave my arms around her like a game show host), is an amazing creation. God made her perfectly, growing and shaping her over the years, by the experiences she has lived through, the people in her life and the choices she has made. The Lord has lead her by the hand and turned those dark seasons around for her good.

Her body has been a safe space for those who have needed it. They don’t see all the bits that she is critical of, they see the beauty that radiates from within her.

Look at her hands, they have worked so hard. They care for, cook for, and nurture the people in her world. They have been gentle and firm, they have soothed and calmed. Her arms have the capacity to surround people with so much love.

Her eyes have seen a lot. Some things she wishes she didn’t see. Her eyes, despite the fact she might need glasses now, have incredible vision. She can see when someone isn’t ok even when that say they are. She can anticipate what someone needs, even before they know it.

I can’t see it from the outside, but I know she has a huge heart. Her ability to love and show kindness is like a superpower. As she’s aged, God has softened the edges of her heart and given her all she needs to love people well.

Now, to take a look inside, I will have to hand this over to you.

Are you ready to see inside this current version of YOU?

To do this, I want you to think on some questions. If you have a journal or a notebook, I want you to go and find it, and a pen. I want to you ponder these questions and write down your answers.

Before we start, I need you to know something about this new version of you: God has got so much planned for her. So many days of fulfilled potential, purpose and adventure.

Asking yourself questions may seem strange if you haven’t really done it before. I want you to trust me, it’s a brilliant way to get to know more about who you are, as this current version of yourself.

Ok. Ready?

1. When do you feel most alive, engaged and excited by what you are doing?

2. How can you give yourself regular opportunities, to do more of those things that bring you to life?

3. What are some of your unique strengths and talents? How have you used them in the past to succeed? And how can you use them now if you’re not already?

4. What are the top three values that guide your decisions in life, and why are they important to you?

5. What is a challenge you have faced in the past, and how did your personal values and strengths help you overcome it?

6. What is something you feel passionate about? How can find an outlet or a way to bring life to that passion?

7. What is an activity or hobby that brings you joy and fulfilment? How can you make doing that a priority it in your life, even in a small way?

8. How do you define what success looks like for you? Do you need redefine what success is for you, so that it is current and attainable for your life right now?

9. What is something you have always wanted to try or learn? What small steps can you take, to begin to make it a reality?

10. What is a goal you want to set for yourself? How can you use your personal strengths, and natural gift or talents to achieve it?

11. How can you use your values and passions to make a positive impact on the world around you?

12. If you were able to clear away any obstacles, what is one thing in your life, that you would choose to pursue?

Here are some thoughts to help inspire you to move you forward.

God has a purpose for your life

As a woman of faith, you know that when you allow Him to, God leads your life. It says in 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 a hope and a future.”

But so often as you get older, you’re juggling all of your responsibilities and trying to keep up with it all… you can lose sight of that plan He has for you. I want you to take some time to reflect on what you feel God is calling you to do.

Maybe it is right where you are, and you just need fresh vision and new passion for it. Ask the Lord for guidance and clarity, and trust that He will reveal His plan to you.

Reconnect with your passions

Think back to the things that brought you joy and fulfilment when you were younger. Did you have hobbies or interests that you put aside or hid away?

Do you still think of that dream or goal you never pursued? Take some time to think about those things again. You might find that they still burn in your heart, or maybe they’ve evolved and taken on a new shape, but are still there all the same.

Recognise your strengths

As I mentioned before, God has and will, use your life experiences to grow and shape you. This has given you your own unique skills and strengths that can help to love and serve others.

Did you know that your passion or dream, will invariably serve someone in some way? God has perfectly designed it, so that when you live out your purpose, He can meet the needs of others through you. God also uses this to bring us connection with each other.

Take some time to reflect on what you’re good at, what unique experience you have, or the things you enjoy doing. How can you use your strengths, experiences, or interests to make a difference in the world?

Seek out new experiences

It can feel like you’re stuck on the hamster wheel sometimes. (Well, maybe a lot of times!) You stick to your routine and schedule because you need to, but also because often it’s just easier.

When you set out to rediscover your passion and purpose, it means stepping outside of your norms as well as your comfort zone. Doing this in lots of little ways is good practice for the bigger changes you will need to make.

Mix things up and do something a little differently. You could walk or travel a completely different way home from work, or go for a drive somewhere you’ve never been.

You could try something new like a class, or a free course to learn a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to. You might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of, and even find a new experience that sparks a sense of purpose and joy in your life.

Connect with others.

God created people to live in a community with each other. As Christian women, we especially need our communities and support networks. Making friends as you get older can seem daunting, but just remember that everyone is looking for that connection with someone. Age doesn’t have to be a barrier.

Maybe you need to find your people, others who share your values or interests. You could join a small group, a Bible study, or go to events and conferences where you can meet like-minded women. You could join an activities group and do something you love.

Being in community makes you feel supported, loved, connected, encouraged, and inspired. When we are around those who are pursuing their goals or dreams, it propels us along in our own journey. Women are stronger when we are are a part of a community.

Practice self-care

Put your hand up if you know that you put your own needs last? Thank you, you can put your hand down. Taking care of yourself is such an important investment of your time (says me who rarely goes to bed early).

By making sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well, and taking care of your physical and mental health, you’ll be better prepared and able to pursue your goals, your passions and live the life you are called to.

There is a lot of hype around self-care at the moment, but I’m not talking about spa days and expensive skin care products. I’m talking about just making those choices and actually looking after YOU, for a change.

Be open to where God leads you

I have talked a lot about this recently. Trusting God with the places He leads you to, and the doors He opens. Sometimes it will seem that the door he opens is a side-step from where you want to go. If you’re confident that he is leading you in a specific direction, even if you don’t understand it, then go.

He can use all things for your good, and often those seasons are preparation for the things to come.

Rediscovering your dream, your passion, goals and purpose requires a few things of you:

• You need to be honest with yourself. One way you can do this, is by asking those questions of yourself, and get to know this current version of you.

• You need to have courage. Stepping outside your comfort zone will bring up many feelings, like fear and self doubt. Acknowledging that they are just feelings and not truth, helps you to step beyond that point of fear and into the things you are called to. Being able to do this will strengthen you to do even greater things.

• You need to trust the Lord. Trust that God will guide you where you need to go, even if it’s not where you thought you’d be. Stay open to new opportunities and experiences, and keep listening for His voice in your life.

To Recap what we’ve covered:

• Get to know you again, and see yourself as the incredible person that you are. You are ever growing and ever changing.

• Ask yourself questions and answering as honestly as you can, will help you get reacquainted with you again. These will help you know what those dream, passions and goals are.

• God has a purpose for your life. He has such a great plan for you, but sometimes in the busyness you can lose sight of that plan.

• Reconnect with your passions. Take time to remember what you used to love. As we get older, our dreams and goals can evolve or change shape.

• Recognise your strengths. Your life has given you a unique skill set that can help others and equip you to chase that dream.

• Seek out new experiences. Get off the hamster wheel and bring some newness and adventure to your life.

• Connect with others. You are built for community, and you thrive when you are a part of one.

• Practice self care. To pursue those things in life that you are called to, you need to be at your best, self care isn’t a luxury but essential.

• Be open to where God lead you. Sometimes it may feel like the place he leads is a side step. Trust that he is leading and preparing for the life he has planned for you.

I hope this has encouraged you to know yourself again. I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to chase those dreams and passions again.

I hope you know that there is so much ahead for you my friend. My passion, is to see you step into the life that you are created for. I want you to live a life that fulfils you and gives you purpose.

If you want to see all the places I hang out, you can find them here.

If you missed my last post, you can read Your Purpose Has Arrived here.

If you enjoyed this blog post, let me know I would love to hear from you! And if you think a friend needs to hear this, go and share it with them.

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Sending you love,

Carrie xxx