I was invited to New York City this week for an industry event celebrating RealSelf’s 20th anniversary, and as tempting as it was to stay home, I decided to get dressed, leave, and head into the city. I am so glad I did.
Because sometimes, especially in midlife, we need to remind ourselves that we are more than the people who need us at home.
I love being a mom. I love my family. But something about getting dressed up, heading into the city, seeing familiar faces, and having conversations that have absolutely nothing to do with who’s driving where or what’s for dinner feels incredibly good.
And honestly? I think we need more of that in midlife.
Getting Out of the House Is About More Than Having Fun
As our kids get older and life changes, it can be surprisingly easy to settle into a routine where you spend most of your time at home, working, caring for your family, and checking things off a never-ending list.
Then one day you realize you haven’t gotten dressed for anything other than errands in a while.
That’s why I have been trying to say yes to more opportunities that get me out of my normal routine. It doesn’t have to be a huge event in New York City. It could be dinner with a friend, a girls’ night, a networking event, a concert, a day trip, or simply making plans instead of waiting for someone else to make them.
Sometimes you just need a reason to put on an outfit, leave the house, and remember that there is a whole world happening outside of your everyday routine.
Midlife Friendships Take Effort
One of my favorite things about industry events is the people. I get to reconnect with old friends I haven’t seen in far too long and meet new people who I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. Those conversations can turn into friendships, collaborations, introductions, and sometimes opportunities I never expected.
This particular event reminded me of that.
I made new professional connections and have already had a few work opportunities come out of conversations I had that night. That’s one of the unexpected benefits of getting yourself into the room. You never really know what can come from simply showing up.
And I think that becomes even more important as we get older. Friendships don’t always happen organically the way they did when we were younger. Our lives are busy. Our kids have activities. Careers change. People move. Everyone has a million things going on. Sometimes maintaining friendships means actually making the effort to get together.
Step Out of Mom Mode
There is also something to be said for stepping away from mom mode for a few hours. Getting dressed up. Doing my hair. Putting on makeup. Heading into Manhattan. Having a drink. Laughing with people. Talking about work, beauty, fashion, and life.
Just letting my hair down and not being responsible for everyone else for a few hours. That doesn’t mean I don’t love my everyday life. It means I also need a life that’s mine.
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links that support Lady and the Blog at no additional cost to you. I will receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase on this post.
I think this is one of the things we don’t talk about enough when we talk about midlife. This stage of life can bring a lot of freedom, but you have to take advantage of it.
Find Things That Make You Curious
Another reason I loved being there was getting to learn about some of the newest developments in skincare, aesthetics, and collagen technology. Anyone who knows me knows I genuinely love learning about this. It’s almost become a personal passion project.
I don’t need every new treatment or product to be for me, but I love understanding what’s coming next, learning how things work, and talking to the people behind the technology. And that’s another reason I think getting out matters. Stay curious.
Try something new. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Talk to someone outside your usual circle. Learn about something simply because you’re interested. You don’t have to turn every interest into a business, either. Sometimes it’s enough to just enjoy being interested in something.
We Still Need a Life Outside of Our Homes
I think midlife tends to make us very comfortable with our routines. And there is nothing wrong with that. But I don’t want my world to get smaller just because I’m getting older.
I want to keep meeting people. I want to keep making friends. I want to keep working and finding new opportunities. I want to get dressed up and go into the city. I want to discover new restaurants, products, places, and ideas. I want to have conversations that make me laugh and occasionally lead to something completely unexpected. And yes, I want to come home afterward and put my pajamas back on. Maybe that’s the balance.
You don’t have to completely reinvent your life in midlife. Sometimes you just have to get out of the house a little more.
- Say yes to the invitation.
- Make the dinner plans.
- Put on the outfit.
- Go into the city.
- Reconnect with an old friend.
- Meet someone new.
And give yourself permission to remember that you’re still out there, too.