Is This a Midlife Crisis or Just Life after 50: 8 Easy Ways to Find Out

Let’s be honest…if you’re a woman over 50, you’ve probably googled “Am I having a midlife crisis?” right after googling “cute reading glasses” and “why does everything hurt for no reason?”

YOU’RE NOT ALONE! Welcome to the beautifully bizarre ride that is midlife, where your knees complain louder than your opinions and your mood swings come with their own soundtrack.

Here’s the thing…midlife crises aren’t just for sports car-buying men who suddenly take up running. Women also get bored and seek a sense of excitement. But they have their own glittery, hot-flashy versions. And they can be quite hilarious!

Turning 50 comes with a grab bag of surprises. Have you started talking to your plants yet? Forgetting why you walked into a room? Contemplating a tattoo? Considering quitting your job to “find yourself?” Oddly obsessed with turmeric and other “miracle” cures that might fix all your problems?

Hitting your 50s can bring a tidal wave of questions, emotions, and changes. Some are confusing. Others are liberating. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re having a midlife meltdown or if it’s simply just a Monday. Let’s unpack this and break down different ways you can tell the difference. And why, either way, it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

This blog is all about Is This a Midlife Crisis or Just Life after 50: 8 Easy Ways to Find Out.

Midlife Crisis or Simply Life after 50?

1. You Thought About Getting Bangs… Again

Hair is symbolic.

Changing your hairstyle can feel like shedding the old you and stepping into a new you. It marks a turning point, and a change can be a fresh start, a great first step in your midlife transformation.

control

There are many things women over 50 have no control over, like aging parents, an empty nest, and menopause. However, your hairstyle is absolutely under your control, and is immediate, visible, and empowering. You can’t stop aging, but you can totally rock a bold bob or a silver pixie! And if bangs are your jam, get those bangs!

I frequently Google hairstyles for women over 50 and am always looking for fun looks. It’s such a great way to check out hair color and cuts. Remember to choose styles that will work with your type of hair. My hair is very thick, and some cuts I like simply wouldn’t work for me.

I DO NOT listen to people who say women over 50 shouldn’t have long hair! If Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, and Nicole Kidman can rock long hair, so can I! My long hair is part of my identity and not something I’m prepared to get rid of yet. So there!

haircare

Just make sure your hair looks healthy, whatever length. Hormonal changes and a decrease in natural oils in the scalp lead to dry hair that is coarser, frizzier, and more prone to breakage. Choose products that hydrate your hair and get that shine back. I love all Moroccan Oil products, but there are so many good ones on the market.

Is the need to change your hairstyle a sign of a midlife crisis? Nah. It’s a part of a larger pattern of reflection, growth, or just saying “yes” to what looks and feels good to you.

2. You Joined a Yoga Class… Just to Lie Down in Public

flexibility

There are many reasons why women over 50 join yoga classes. These classes gently build strength and flexibility, without the jarring motions of high-impact exercises like running. Our bones and muscles naturally weaken with age. Yoga offers a low-impact way to maintain muscle tone, balance, mobility, and joint health.

mindset

These classes are a great way to calm the chaos in the mind. Midlife can be mentally overwhelming. Women over 50 deal with the stress of caregiving, relationship issues, loneliness, economic uncertainty, aging, loss of a loved one, etc. Yoga teaches breathing, mindfulness, and present-moment awareness.

community

Group classes offer community in addition to workouts. Midlife can feel isolating, and classes can be a great way to reconnect with others. BUT we all know you’re there for the Savasana, the final yoga pose, otherwise known as the socially acceptable nap. Namaste, queens!

Does joining a yoga class point to a midlife crisis? Nope. After years of doing for others, women over 50 are choosing their own well-being and rewriting what aging looks like. And they’re doing it with Lululemon leggings and a yoga mat.

3. You’ve Threatened to Run Away to Tuscany… Weekly

“me” time

Whether it’s after an annoying email at work or your adult children “just needing a little help” again, you find yourself mentally packing a suitcase and escaping to a vineyard. You don’t even drink wine, but the fantasy involves dramatic hats and a villa.

Women over 50 are reclaiming themselves. After decades of caregiving and career climbing, we reach that point where we desperately need “me” time. Travel becomes a way to reconnect with the woman who’s put herself last for years. So it’s not really an escape we’re looking for. It’s a return to ourselves.

space

As mentioned before, women over 50 are dealing with so many things…aging parents, growing kids, hormonal shifts, health issues, etc. Vacations offer stillness, space, and sanity. Not just from other people, but from overdoing and overwhelm. Sometimes a carry-on bag calls to us when we’re tired of being asked what’s for dinner.

adventure

We crave newness…along with adventure and excitement. Midlife can feel repetitive and boring. Travel shakes things up a bit. Whether you’re thinking about a solo road trip or a wild girls’ trip to Europe, travel after 50 often comes from a need to connect deeply. Not only with people, but with a purpose.

And no, this doesn’t indicate a midlife crisis. It’s an awakening…women choosing experiences over expectations and freedom over obligation.

4. You’ve Bought an LBD and Declared Yourself a Goddess

confidence

Ah, the promises of the perfect LBD (little black dress). It’s hanging on your door, beckoning to you. Wondering when you’ll put it on and have the funnest night of your life. It wants to make you feel like you’re starring in a Chanel perfume commercial. You ARE the vibe now. And it’s fabulous!

When and where are you wearing this fabulous dress? Such a rich, juicy question! When a woman elevates her style in midlife, it’s not just about the dress. Her identity, confidence, and evolution come into play. In addition, how she feels wearing the dress matters.

self-expression

After years of dressing like a mom and/or like a career woman, women finally hit that moment where they think, “What do I actually love to wear?” and “What looks amazing on me?” Style becomes a form of self-expression.

Many of us have bodies that have changed. And this has affected our confidence. Hormones, weight gain, or aging skin can influence how our clothes fit and feel. We don’t want to chase youth. It’s about how we can dress the body we have now. There is nothing that boosts my confidence more than knowing that what I’m wearing looks good. Knowing it complements me and feels authentic to me.

transformation

Have you outgrown your style? Meaning what you wore in your 20s, 30s, and 40s might have been based on trends and what society expected at that time. How do you feel about your style in your 50s? Does it still reflect who I am?

The line between style that’s appropriate for women in their 50s and what’s not appropriate has gotten fuzzy over the years. Fifty-year-old celebrities today don’t look like they used to. For example, can you believe Sandra Bullock is 60? I mean, wow!

intention

Style becomes about intention, not just fashion. Yes, we love that LBD. But what do you want your signature look to look like? Romantic? Casual? Vintage? Boho? Go through your closet and decide which pieces bring you joy and which ones don’t. This is the perfect time to declutter your closet and opt for timeless pieces over fast fashion. Consider having a color analysis done so you know what colors complement your skin tone.

Changing your style over 50 is a liberation, not a midlife crisis. Ask yourself, “Who do I want to be now?” and “How do I dress her?” Stop dressing for a past life and start creating a wardrobe for the amazing woman you’ve become. And put on that spectacular LBD and go have the best night ever!

Check out my blog about 5 powerful shifts you can make for a more confident you HERE.

5. You’ve Forgotten Why You Walked Into the Room… Twice

hormones

Is it brain fog? Menopause? Or just that your house has too many rooms now that the kids are gone. Forgetfulness after 50 is a real thing. But why?

Hormonal changes are a factor as estrogen affects the brain, especially areas related to memory and focus. As estrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, many women experience brain fog, forgetting names or words. You aren’t losing your mind. Your hormones are shifting gears.

stress

Women over 50 are dealing with many stressors, such as relationships, an empty nest, aging parents, loss, health changes, etc. Your brain is basically a browser with 47 tabs open.

Hot flashes, stress, or anxiety can lead to poor sleep. Sleep plays a vital role in consolidating memories, processing information, and supporting overall brain health. A tired brain forgets things more easily, so prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

priorities

Believe it or not, some forgetfulness in midlife is your brain filtering out things that don’t matter anymore. Can you relate to “I forgot to answer that email, but I remembered to schedule my mammogram and book a girls’ trip?” So… priorities.

Forgetfulness isn’t a sign of a midlife crisis. It’s feedback from your brain saying, “Hey… maybe we don’t need to carry everything anymore.” What can help? Exercise, sleep, a balanced diet, managing stress, and hydration can help support your cognitive health. Also, learn to laugh about it instead of stressing over it.

If you have any concerns about memory loss or forgetfulness, make sure to discuss them with your doctor. He/she can help determine the cause and recommend the most appropriate course of action for your individual situation. 

6. Your Amazon Cart Is a Cry for Help

control

It’s 2 AM, and you’re digging your credit card out of your wallet. That collagen powder is a must-have! And those leopard-print sneakers would look great with your new top. How funny is that adult coloring book? You need it for stress reduction. That sassy coffee mug that says “I am the storm” is calling to me. Then you feel seen and slightly judged…by yourself.

Many women over 50 find themselves filling digital carts, clicking “buy now,” and wondering… “What just happened?” Let’s get real and explore this with honesty and a little humor.

It’s often about control. In midlife, there are so many things we can’t control…aging, hormones, life transitions. But clicking “add to cart?” That gives an instant hit of control and satisfaction. It’s not a meltdown. It’s a moment of “I deserve this.”

coping

Impulse shopping is a form of coping and can be soothing…a temporary way to deal with boredom, loneliness, or stress. It’s a hit of dopamine, and midlife brains, especially with estrogen shifts, crave those little boosts.

rediscovery

Shopping can be about rediscovery. Many women over 50 shop to explore a new version of themselves…for their midlife transformation. They’re seeking a new style, a new hobby, or a new mindset. I bought five lipsticks last week. Not because I’m lost. But because they weren’t expensive and they make me feel spicy.

ease

Technology has made impulse buying ridiculously easy. Algorithms know what you like. Your phone stores your credit card. You’re one click away from a new dress, a weighted blanket, or a high-end blender you saw on Instagram at 10 PM. That’s just smart marketing and midlife curiosity.

Online shopping may or may not be a sign of a midlife crisis. It’s often a sign of permission to treat yourself, try new things, and experience a little joy. It can be a red flag if it becomes compulsive or emotionally draining. But more often, it’s simply a reflection of a woman finally prioritizing herself.

7. You’re Suddenly Obsessed With Plants

healing

Ah yes…the sudden love for houseplants, essential oils, or joining five online groups about succulents. Is it a midlife crisis… or something much cooler?

It’s about healing and grounding. Midlife can feel shaky…emotionally, hormonally, even spiritually. Women often turn to things like plants because they’re calming, grounding, and tangible. It’s not weird, but actually smart nervous system regulation.

intention

In addition, it’s the rise of intentional living. After 50, many women start to crave meaning over noise. That’s why plants make us feel so good. They bring beauty, quiet, and presence to everyday life.

growth

It’s a symbol of growth. Plants are not just décor. They represent care, energy, and transformation. And women over 50 are in their own growth season, too. Maybe for the first time in years. They’re thriving right alongside their fiddle-leaf fig.

rediscovery

Plants are about rediscovery and curiosity. Midlife often sparks a reawakening. Women start exploring the things they never had time for before, like nature. It’s less about obsession and more about expansion.

A midlife obsession with plants is not a crisis but a renaissance. These obsessions aren’t random. They’re revelations that say “I’m done with chaos and am choosing peace, growth, and beauty.”

8. You’ve Reached the Glorious Stage of “I Don’t Care What They Think”

freedom

This is the best part of the so-called crisis…the freedom to wear what you want and say what you think. You’ve earned your stripes and your stretch marks, and you’re ready to live loud, proud, and possibly with glitter.

Ah, the magical moment when a woman over 50 says “I don’t care what people think anymore.”
Cue the applause. This isn’t a crisis…it’s a personal revolution.

It’s freedom earned through experience. By 50, most women have lived through rejection, judgment, success, and failure. They’ve tried to fit in and have been misunderstood. But guess what? They’re still standing!

pleasing others

You realize other people’s opinions are just that…opinions. Not truth and not gospel! And certainly not a reason to shrink! If we’ve survived raising kids, work drama, and 80s neon, we can survive not being liked by everybody!

It’s no longer about people-pleasing. Many women reach 50 and suddenly feel exhausted by all the emotional labor of pleasing others. The desire to be “liked” fades, and the desire to feel authentic takes its place. Hallelujah!

clarity

This mindset shift is rooted in clarity. This is not about rebellion. We ask the questions…” Who am I?”, “What do I want?” It’s not a breakdown but a deep coming home. We should care more about how we feel in our own skin than how someone else sees us.

This is not to say you don’t care about anything. You still care deeply…about the things that matter. Like your health, your joy, your boundaries, your purpose, your peace, and your loved ones. You just stop caring about petty opinions, outdated expectations, and unnecessary drama.