How to start over in life at 50

If you’re wondering how to start over in life at 50, it may be because you’re feeling dissatisfied. Maybe your career isn’t where you want it to be, or you’re experiencing a major life change like divorce or taking care of an elderly parent. You could be starting to think more deeply about how you’re doing financially and where you are with your retirement plan.

While it may feel harder to make changes in your 40s and 50s than in your 20s, it’s more than possible to have a fresh start. If you’re unhappy, in debt, have been laid off, or are wrestling with another life struggle, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and create a new life.

Starting over at 50 takes effort and intention, but with the right techniques and support, you can begin to build the life you’ve always dreamed about. You can move forward by investing in yourself.

How to start over in life at 50

Asking yourself, “How do I turn my life around at 50?” can feel daunting and scary. The answer may require uprooting things you’ve spent decades creating. 

It’s important to remember that starting over in life will look different for everyone depending on their situation. You may be embarking on a new career path while a friend of yours is packing to move to a new continent. 

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to starting over at 50, here are some general considerations to keep in mind to help you get started, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons.

Self-reflect

It can be easy to fall into a routine in your 50s, which might mean self-reflection has moved to the back burner. But if you’re looking to make positive changes, you need to consider what’s going well in life, what you’d like to improve, and how you want your future to look.

If you expected 50 to look different than it does, you might feel a sense of loss. It’s OK to feel disappointed. Grief is normal, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. You still have a lot of adventures ahead that you may not have even dreamt up yet.

Once you’ve come to accept things as they are, positive or negative, you’ll be much more prepared to do some life planning that helps you find your purpose.

Deal with your regrets

To fully reset your life and move forward, you need to deal with your regrets. Confronting the truth can help you learn from your mistakes, improve your decision-making, and increase your motivation to change.

According to research published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, people are more likely to feel intense regret within life situations where they perceive the greatest opportunities. Examples of these situations include education, career, romance, and parenting.

Take time to reflect on each of these areas of your life, and consider what it might take to come to peace with any past regrets.

Take a look at your career

Many people wrongly assume that you can no longer change careers at 50. A large part of this myth stems from ageism, which is the act of discriminating against someone because of their age. You may feel like potential employers could learn your age range and immediately disqualify you from a new job. 

Whether you’re seeking a higher-paying job or an exciting new career change, it’s absolutely worth applying. While you should aim to follow your passions, it’s also worth considering the best jobs for career changes to help set you up for success. You may also want to think about benefit offerings like health insurance and retirement plans when reviewing job offers.

If you feel stuck, try leaning on your network for support, or consider working with a career coach to help determine your next steps.

Review your finances

Your 50s are a great time to review your finances to get a sense of where to invest and budget your money. Underlying financial stress can lead to a constant state of worry and anxiety that affects all other aspects of your life.

Consider taking some of the following steps to improve your financial wellness:

• Revisit your retirement plan: Planning for retirement is always important, but it becomes even more critical in your 50s as you near retirement age. If you don’t already have one, get started with a retirement account such as a 401K. Possible 401K employer matches and interest paid on your balance can help you earn free money.
• Track your living expenses: If you’re dealing with debt or struggling to afford the necessities with your regular income, try creating an expense tracker to help you discover where your money is going. This can help you become more aware of your spending habits and find new ways to cut back.
• Check on your credit score: The higher your credit score, the easier it will be to borrow money for the things you need, like car or home loans. A good credit score can also help you get better rates on some types of loans and insurance.
• Establish an emergency fund: Begin setting aside money for health emergencies or large, unexpected expenses. If you have an emergency fund, these surprise expenses won’t have as big of an impact on your wallet if they occur.

Journal

Journaling can increase your self-awareness and improve your mental health. Whether you use a computer or your favorite leather-bound notebook, putting your thoughts on a page can help you stop them from swirling in your head.

According to an article published in the journal Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, expressive writing can also improve your working memory and may increase cognitive processing.

Try using writing to process your thoughts and keep yourself from spiraling. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider using daily journal prompts to help stimulate your mind.

Meditate

It’s easy to fall into an endless loop of automatic negative thoughts. Similar to journaling, practicing meditation can help boost your mental health by increasing your focus and patience. It can also give you a much-needed moment of reprieve and help you learn mindful breathing techniques to calm yourself down.

Expand your social circle

As you age, busy schedules and family responsibilities can force your relationships with loved ones to take a backseat. Take the time to nurture your social connections and maintain a support network. Your social health is important to your well-being, and having good friends to support your life transitions is vital. 

If you don’t already have a trustworthy circle, find new friends through activities like volunteering or attending events tailored to people who are 50+ in your community. If you’re struggling, consider consulting with a coach or therapist who specializes in significant life changes to help you navigate this uncertainty. 

Network

If you’re looking for new professional opportunities, networking is a great place to start. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to pursue yet, there are networking events for virtually everything. 

Networking can help open doors to new job opportunities or industries, enhance your professional reputation, and guide you to career advice and support. It also gives you a chance to share your own knowledge with others who might be interested in your career background.

Start by making small changes 

You can’t reach a new destination without a road map. To create a new life, you’ll need to build new habits. Developing healthy habits, like managing new job anxiety with more exercise or making plans with your family to unwind in your free time, will help you stay on your planned course. 

Identify your passions, strengths, and weaknesses and how they might fit into a new routine. Befriend people doing what you want to do, and look for job opportunities that match your skills and desired lifestyle. Bask in the challenges ahead because they are what makes life thrilling.

Prioritize exercise

Regular exercise is good for both your body and mind. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, exercise is important for people 50 and older because it can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of several serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. 

To continue performing at your best, you need to take care of your health. According to the National Institute on Aging, strength training is especially important as you age, as your muscle strength starts to decline after it peaks at about 30-35 years.

Declutter

If your living space is filled with stuff you’ve accumulated over the years, decluttering may be beneficial. According to Psychology Today, decluttering can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost self-worth.

Get the weight of possessions off your shoulders by donating or selling items no longer in use. A clear space really does mean a clear mind.

Starting over at 50: 9 questions to ask yourself 

Learning how to start over at 50 requires a lot of introspection about what you want your life to look like. Ask yourself these questions to help you rediscover your purpose and restart your life both personally and professionally:

1. What do I really need to find happiness?
2. What don’t I enjoy doing?
3. What makes me feel free?
4. What are my strengths?
5. What causes am I passionate about?
6. Am I willing to commit to my new life?
7. How do I imagine my life in a few years?
8. Does my possible new career align with my personal values?
9. What is still on my bucket list?

Answering these questions can help you clarify your next steps.

How to start over at 50 with no money

If starting over at 50 means looking for a new career, much of the above advice still applies if you have little or no money. The downside of having less money is that you might have less time to lose before springing into action.

Here are some tips if you’re in a financially difficult situation and can’t make a quick switch to a higher-paying job.

1. Wait it out at your old job if possible

Even if you feel stuck in a job you hate, a regular paycheck will still provide financial stability. Consistent income can be critical for creating an emergency fund while you plot your next move.

Try to stay at your current job for as long as possible if it’s safe and healthy to do so. This may mean working while earning a certificate in your new industry or interviewing for new roles. Rather than rushing forward without a plan, you may need to take a bit of time to decide exactly when to leave your job.

2. Let go of the negative self-talk

It’s tempting to compare yourself to other people your age. Your brother might have a boat by now, or your friends may own their homes. Comparison will only lead to a cognitive bias that harms your well-being. 

In reality, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Things might be difficult right now, but you still have something few people experience, which is the chance to reinvent yourself. 

3. Build the new you

An important step in reclaiming your life is imagining the person you want to be. Think back on the things that felt most meaningful to you and consider how to prioritize them in the next phase of your life. 

Perhaps trying out self-directed learning or creating a vision board will help you stay focused on your goals. Make sure all your goals point you toward doing what you love.

4. Update your resume with transferable skills

Transferable skills are abilities that aren’t tied to a specific role or industry, meaning you can apply them in various personal and professional situations. This can make you more qualified for roles outside of your current field.

For example, if you worked in real estate, selling homes didn’t just teach you about the housing market. You likely also learned important communication skills like persuasion and active listening, project coordination skills like time management, and the ability to switch between team and individual projects.

According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Talent Trends report, employers are prioritizing soft skills over more technical ones, as the former are gained through life experiences that can’t be taught. Before applying for a new job, review your resume to include as many relevant transferable and soft skills as possible. 

5. Take free courses to improve your skills

No matter where you are in your career, it’s important to reskill and upskill. If you need to improve your technical or professional skills, consider enrolling in an online course or working with a tutor. 

Here are a few free online learning platforms to check out:

• Coursera: This platform offers online tech courses developed by faculty at universities such as Duke, Stanford, and Penn State. Coursera provides boot camps you can complete in a day and advanced programs to help you continue to build proficiency. 
• EdX: More than 160 universities, including UC Berkeley, Harvard, and MIT, offer courses here that range from short-term boot camps to full master’s programs. EdX is great if you’re looking to transition into a managerial position, as it offers executive programs in fintech, operations, sustainability, and coding. 
• Udemy: This platform offers a wide range of tech-related courses, from mastering Excel to learning Javascript and Amazon Web Services. 

Pros and cons of starting over at 50

Maybe a midlife crisis has put you in a tailspin, and you want a fresh start. Perhaps life circumstances placed you in this position, and you have no choice but to adapt. Either way, there are some pros and cons to seeking out a new beginning at 50.

Pros:

• You can make better decisions for your emotional and mental health.
• You can regain a sense of control over your destiny.
• You can use your life experiences to your advantage.
• You can improve your overall well-being with a job that you love.

Cons:

• You may have to work harder to keep yourself financially stable.
• You risk falling into a poor mental health state during the job search.
• Your stress levels might be elevated due to the change. According to Mayo Clinic, high stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and more.
• You might struggle with imposter syndrome in a new environment.

Learn how to start over in life at 50 through coaching

Figuring out how to start over in life at 50 takes courage and a commitment to bettering yourself. Acquiring skills that allow you to embrace change, such as creating new habits and using your strengths to your advantage, can help you thrive at 50, 60, and beyond.

If you’re struggling to find yourself and rebuild your life, working with a coach can help. Coaches are professionally trained to help you find meaning and purpose at any age or stage of life. Your coach will help you visualize who you want to be and plan out the next steps to get you there. They’ll also help hold you accountable so you achieve your goals faster.

It’s never too late for a fresh start, and you don’t have to go through this process alone. Reach your full potential by working with a BetterUp Coach to create the life you’ve always imagined.