Which Chapter Are You Living? Different Ways to See Life After Fifty
Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering lately: “Where am I on this map of life? What do I call this phase? And—does a name for it really change anything?
Sometimes, naming our experiences offers comfort and clarity, providing language for transitions that can otherwise feel isolating or confusing. Research in psychology suggests that having a framework for change can enhance resilience and self-efficacy, especially during life’s uncertain chapters. Yet, no single word or category can fully encompass the richness—or contradictions—of this season for women. Sometimes, it’s the living—the anxious, hopeful, daily figuring out—that matters more than any roadmap.
Three Ways to Frame This Chapter
Midlife (Traditionally 40–60, Now Often 50–70) — The Shifting Middle
For most of human history, life was viewed in simple terms: childhood was a time of growth and learning, adulthood was for work and family, and old age marked the final chapter. But as lives lengthened over the past century, a new stage gradually appeared on the map: midlife. Once thought of as simply “the middle third” of life, midlife was typically seen as the bridge between adulthood and old age, marked from around 40 to 60. Now, with people living longer, midlife often stretches well into our 60s and even early 70s.
Midlife can be a time of remarkable complexity, especially for women. Responsibilities often peak—careers may be at their height or in transition, children may be leaving home, and aging parents may need care. These external demands are often paired with deep, personal questions: Who am I now, and what do I want next? Society’s expectations around success, productivity, and appearance can weigh heavily, but they may start to give way to a quieter inner voice, yearning for authenticity, alignment, and meaning.
Although previously thought of as a time of ‘crisis’, this stage is increasingly being understood as a crossroads—a place where familiar roles loosen and big questions come into focus, bringing with them not only uncertainty and discomfort but also real opportunities for reinvention and personal growth.
Prime Time (Ages 47–75) — The Era of Opportunity
Bec Wilson, author of the recently published Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife, champions the idea that our late 40s through mid-70s is the new midlife, which she says can be our richest years. Instead of seeing this time as a prelude to decline, she highlights it as a phase for growth, reinvention, and renewal. “Prime Time” reframes the narrative: these are years when agency returns, choices and opportunities abound, creativity flourishes, and the obligations that once hemmed us in begin to loosen.
With a focus on finances and lifestyle, Wilson suggests we think about three phases of the new midlife:
Setup Phase (late 40s to mid-50s): Build financial foundations and plan for the future as kids gain independence.
Lifestyling Phase (mid-50s to mid-60s): Enjoy more flexibility and choices at work and in life, backed by financial confidence.
Part-timing Phase (mid-60s to 70s): Shift gradually to part-time work before retirement, focusing on balance, fulfillment, and purpose.
For many women, Prime Time means dusting off long-held dreams, taking on new careers or projects, or seeking out experiences and relationships that feel authentic—perhaps for the first time in decades. With increased life expectancy and evolving roles, these decades are increasingly viewed as a starting line rather than a finishing lap.
Emerging Elderhood (Ages 55–75) — The Art of Becoming
Although most of us in Australia associate the term ‘elder’ with first nations wise leaders, Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), has a whole new bent on it - see my early blog to learn more, His more recent work has introduces us to a new idea - backed by scholars such as Skerrett, Spira, and Chandy: the concept of ‘Emerging Elderhood’ (55 - 75) Conley describes “Emerging Elderhood, the stage bewteen midlife and old age,” as an exciting and important chapter where people move beyond midlife and explore new purpose and meaning.
This view is backed by researchers in the field, who describe Emerging Elderhood as a unique and meaningful period, full of change, growth, and opportunity where people often move beyond their familiar roles—like careers or parenting—and are faced with big questions about identity, purpose, and what comes next. Some may feel anxious, uncertain, or like their sense of self is changing. Others might feel a longing for the past or concern about the future. These feelings are normal, especially when society doesn’t offer clear language or expectations for this stage.
Skerrett, Spira, and Chandy identify six main tasks that can help people not only cope with but also thrive during this time:
Accepting the realities of aging
Recognizing that worries about the future are normal
Reflecting on the past—with both joy and some longing
Adapting to changes in health, abilities, and social circles
Seeking new, meaningful goals or passions
Growing the ability to handle uncertainty and complexity
This stage, they suggest, is about writing a new chapter in your story—finding ways to make sense of life’s changes and building hope for what’s still to come. Everyone’s experience is different, and there’s no single “right way” to navigate this journey.
Ultimately, Emerging Elderhood is a chance to reimagine what later life can be: not merely decline, but a rich period for self-discovery, connection, and renewal—where meaning and purpose are up for shaping, no matter your age.
Where These Perspectives Meet (and Why It Matters for Women)
Despite the differences in terminology and timing, all three frameworks share important common ground. They:
Validate change and transition as fundamental to this stage of life—transitions that are often uncharted, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes disorienting.
Encourage new self-understanding, not by dismissing difficulty, but by contextualising it.
Invite experimentation and possibility, affirming that there are many ways to live these years.
And for women, this is especially crucial. Social expectations about aging and gender tend to shrink our sense of what’s possible. But the truth is: we’re rewriting the story every day—sometimes intentionally, sometimes by necessity.
Whether you see yourself in Midlife, Prime Time, or as an Emerging Elder (or none of the above!), you’re living in a period of life that is more open than past generations could imagine. The opportunity (and sometimes tension) comes in letting go of labels that feel confining and instead giving yourself permission to move between them as life demands.
How to Find What Resonates for You
There isn’t a single definition that works for everyone—nor should there be. Here are a few ways to reflect on where you are and what matters:
Which of these perspectives—if any—feels most true for you right now?
Is there a part of your life that feels ready for a new direction, even if you don’t have a name for it yet?
What expectations (yours or others’) have shaped how you think about this phase?
How has being a woman shaped your experience of these decades—through family, work, friendships, or your relationship with yourself?
Give yourself the kindness of curiosity. Try on a framework, discard what doesn’t fit, and keep experimenting. It’s okay to be unsure. It’s also okay to claim a label, or none at all.
A Final Thought
There’s no single script for this chapter—your experience is as unique and dynamic as the life that led you here. Whether you embrace a label or prefer to move beyond them, what matters most is honoring your journey and letting yourself grow in ways that feel true for you.
As you navigate this stage, give yourself permission to acknowledge both the freedom and uncertainty that come with it. This is a time for asking meaningful questions—about purpose, connection, and possibility—and for gently casting aside pressures to have it all figured out. The process of experimenting, reflecting, and redefining what matters can be both daunting and exhilarating.
Consider reaching out to others walking this path. Conversations with friends or within supportive communities can offer comfort, wisdom, and new perspective. Sometimes, simply sharing your story or hearing another’s can help you feel less alone.
Above all, offer yourself kindness and curiosity. There’s no need for perfect answers or polished plans—just a willingness to notice, adapt, and welcome what’s next.
Ultimately, it’s not the names we give this time that shape our lives, but how we live, explore, and flourish within it.