I have been talking about, thinking about, “working on” launching “a platform for women 40+” for almost a year now. And I haven’t done it.
I want to say that I don’t know why I haven’t done it, but I know why.
Because I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know why I want to launch it. And I don’t know what it’s supposed to do for people.
I actually had 10 posts written on this Substack and I turned them back to drafts because they felt forced and dumb and a waste of time for anyone reading them.
Truly, I spent months combing through all kinds of advice from Substack masters who have figured out how to launch successful businesses through their writing using this platform.
Like a good student I took notes and made plans and worked on strategies.
Writing has always been my chosen form of communication. I love writing. But I’m also self conscious about it because— surprise — I keep telling myself I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m not a real writer.
I just write. (Don’t worry, I know, I annoy myself with this shit.)
Here’s what else I know…
Something is different and I’m trying to figure out my life at 43.
I have a business I no longer care about.
I was not able to have to children though I really wanted them and this has changed my outlook on what my life can and will and should be.
I grieve the loss of motherhood every single day.
I feel bored living where I live but also feel pulled to stay connected to my family and friends because, you know, we’re all getting older and are going to die and blah blah blah.
I want to have better hobbies. I read non-stop and take occasional art classes but I haven’t found the thing that gets me really excited.
I simultaneously want to have a big impact on the world and don’t feel like leaving my house.
I feel financially secure but also fearful that I won’t have enough when I’m 75.
I’m terrified that I lost the drive that helped me launch a multiple six figure business and so I’m destined to do absolutely nothing of importance for the next 50 years.
I’m now in peri-menopause and my body is doing things I really wish it wouldn’t.
I want to launch a new business but I have zero drive to do it.
Some of my friends aren’t really my friends, as in I would never hear from them if I didn’t make the effort.
I’m tired but I’m not sure why.
I’m confident but also terrified of not knowing enough.
I’m scared of being alone when I’m old.
I don’t want to live an ordinary life but I also want things that are super ordinary and make me boring.
Any time I drink alcohol (which admittedly isn’t often) I feel guilty the next day wondering if I insulted anyone or talked too much but I’m not interested in stopping drinking.
I want something to happen but I can’t figure out what it is I want.
I feel angry, sad, worried, bored, happy, content, and restless at some point in almost every day.
If any of this makes any sense to you at all, please say hi.
I don’t know what I’m doing on here yet. So I guess right now I will just write. See what comes out.
If you want to follow along, maybe we can figure this shit out together.
I’m all in and can’t wait to read more. Thankful for your honesty. I’d love to figure out my shit with you or continue to talk about why we can’t figure it out.
I feel some of these things every single day as well. It's good to know I'm not alone.