Have you ever felt like you have lost yourself? That who you were and who are now just aren’t quite syncing up?
Even though aging is the lifelong companion we are born with, it always has a way of turning our world upside down.
For many years, it operates in the background without even a thought, and then just as we begin coasting along, used to living a certain way, it subtly begins to infiltrate our awareness.
Achy joints, brain fog, sleepless nights and inflammation like indicators on a dashboard begin notifying us that this body isn’t in the condition it used to be and a different season is ahead.
“The upheaval of our equilibrium can cause us to begin to reconsider everything, to lean into the fears of change and loss.”
But today’s guest saw this crossroads in a completely different way.
Rather than a crisis, she saw the invitation to pivot and that is why I am thrilled to be joined by the warrior woman herself, Dawn Barton on today’s episode of The Mary Marantz Show.
Dawn Barton is a joyologist, speaker, motivator, cancer crusher, Jesus lover, and author. She is ridiculously passionate about working with women and coaching them to levels of success in their personal and professional lives that transcend their wildest dreams.
She is proud to use the experiences of her personal journey to help others find happiness and success even in the darkest of days. And, in her newest book, Midlife Battle Cry: Redefining the Mighty Second Half (releasing today!), is empowering women to embrace their Mid-Life years by reframing the obstacles before them as reasons to fully embrace joy wherever they can find it.
Mary’s new book, slow growth equals strong Roots is HERE! Click HERE to Order your copy today!
The loves and losses of the last few decades had created a life full of joy for Dawn but through it all, she began to slowly shift to the sidelines of her own life. After decades full of morphing and giving to those around her, when she faced the big 5 – 0 she barely knew the person she saw in the mirror. She says:
“A certain number appeared above my head, hovering there like a massive sad cloud. Fifty, you are turning fifty, it said, and you are done. As my birthday came and went, I found I was struggling with my identity and my purpose. I was flailing. I wondered if this was what they called a midlife crisis but that seemed a tad inadequate. This new season felt like an end of life. A great wall of depression rather than a temporary crisis.”
The color in her life had quite literally faded to black as the grief of this transition took hold. It wasn’t just her though.
As she spoke with friends and shared more of her own experience she was met with the same sentiment. They all were feeling the exact same way.
“I think what happens is we have this invisible line in front of us and to the left are all the great miracles of life, our careers, meeting our spouses, having children, etc., and then we believe that on the other side, it will be devoid of that.”
For Dawn, it was God’s great wake-up call to shake this belief loose and invite her to realize that that simply was not true.
There is no mid-life to God.
In fact, it was the turning point for her to actively choose to step forward rather than pull back from the magnificent, still unfolding story before her. An invitation to greater self-discovery and expansion, investment and growth, and most importantly, using the gifts she has graciously been entrusted to serve those around her.
I have been anxiously awaiting this conversation because it is something that is rarely talked about but is so incredibly necessary. In today’s episode, Dawn does not hold back on the necessity of sharing this journey in community and raves about the joy of rediscovering yourself again.
Tune in to hear:
What she learned from being asked to take the picture rather than be in it
The essential thing to do for authenticity in new seasons
What she would have encouraged her 20-year-old self to do
Why, in fact, we are more ourselves than we have ever been
Dawn’s battle cry is the reminder we all need that none of us have control of the time we have left but we do have the choice to live life to the fullest right now.
So lean in. Don’t disappear.
“No matter the age or stage, the best is yet to come!”
I can’t wait for you to take a listen! And if you are looking to give up comparing, performing, and achieving for your worth, I think you’ll LOVE my new book Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots! Available now everywhere books are sold! And while you’re at it, take our Achiever Quiz to see which of the 5 Achiever Types you are….
More From This Episode:
Connect with Dawn on Instagram and be sure to pick up her new book, “Midlife Battle Cry: Redefining the Mighty Second Half“wherever books are sold.
You May Also Like:
- Doing the Important Work You Are Called To with Hosanna Wong
- Learning To Love Who God Made You To Be With Lauren Alaina
- The Case for Planting Deep Roots with Daniel Grothe
- How Your Small Yes Can Turn Into Big Impact with Natalie Grant
- The Life Council: The 10 Friends Every Woman Needs with Laura Tremaine
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