Here’s what I stopped doing as a woman over 40 — and what I gained because of it

1. Stopped waiting for permission to live out loud.

I am no longer turning down my ambition, my joy, or my presence until someone else feels “ready.” My life, my rules, my timing.

2. Stopped trying to fit in spaces I outgrew.

I don’t shrink myself to make the room feel more comfortable. If I’ve outgrown the space, it’s not failure — it’s evolution.

3. Stopped watering dead plants — friendships, partnerships, habits.

If it no longer brings life, it no longer gets my investment. Period.

4. Stopped shrinking just to make others feel comfortable.

I’m done being the small version of myself to protect someone else’s insecurities. My shine is not a threat. It’s an invitation.

5. Stopped giving discounts to people who didn’t value me.

Whether it’s time, money, or emotional labor — I give from my overflow now, not my survival.

6. Stopped putting myself last and calling it love.

Self-sacrifice isn’t noble when it drains your soul. You can’t pour from an empty cup. My self-care is sacred.

7. Stopped treating rest like a reward — it’s now a requirement.

Rest is not an indulgence. It’s a strategy. It’s how I stay creative, connected, and powerful.

8. Stopped ignoring red flags just because the vibe was familiar.

Comfort isn’t always safe. Sometimes it’s just old. I trust what I know — and I trust what my spirit whispers.

9. Stopped believing that success had an expiration date.

My best days aren’t behind me — they’re being built in this moment. And I will rise at my own pace, in my own way.

10. Stopped chasing validation — started chasing peace.

Peace is the new flex. Validation fades — but peace makes room for purpose.

This is my second act — and it’s bolder, softer, and more intentional than anything I ever planned. If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, I hope you stop settling, stop shrinking, and stop apologizing for your power.

Because once you stop doing the things that keep you small, you start creating a life that feels like freedom.

Looking forward to a new season of self-love, self-worth, and soul-led success.