99. Affirmation For Bravery: How to Put Yourself Out There After 40 Courageously

Does putting yourself out there in midlife feel infinitely more terrifying than it did in your 20s? Whether you're considering a career change, returning to dating, launching a business, or starting a creative pursuit, the stakes feel higher now—and that inner voice of doubt sounds louder than ever. In this courage-building episode, discover the B.R.A.V.E. framework that breaks down bravery into practical, manageable steps specifically designed for midlife courage-building.

Host Valerie Mekki shares her personal experience of launching a YouTube channel at 46 and the fear that came with it. You'll learn how to use the power of your "why" as an emotional anchor when fear threatens to hold you back, along with a transformative affirmation practice that helps you remember your purpose is always stronger than your fear. Press play to transform those paralyzing "what ifs" into exciting possibilities and take that brave first step you've been considering.

Episode 4: Affirmation For Growth: I am Outgrowing My Comfort Zone

Oh, hello midlife YouTube Channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOD7wVQA48VfFrr2rKbmZpQ

Formerly known as the "Mindful Career Change Podcast," I decided to broaden our conversation to cover all life transitions, not just our careers.

Follow the show @mindfullifechanges on YouTube, IG,and DM a question or comment about the life transitions you're going through too. I might answer your question in one of the episodes to help you and other midlifers navigate this everchanging and beautiful season of life.

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Transcript

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Today's affirmation, I am brave, and I remember that my why is stronger than my fear. Remember when you were in your twenties and the idea of trying something new felt exciting rather than terrifying? The stakes seemed lower than you had decades ahead to pivot if things didn't work out. Failure felt like a temporary setback, not a reflection of you or a waste of precious time. But now in midlife, putting yourself out there carries a different weight. Whether you are considering a career change after 20 years in the same field, returning to the dating scene after a long-term relationship has ended, launching that business idea you've kept in the back burner. Or stepping into a completely new creative pursuit. The voice of doubt sounds louder than ever. What will people think of me starting over at this age? Can I really afford to take risks at this stage of life? And what if I fail? What will people say These questions feel heavier in midlife because the stakes genuinely are higher. You likely have more financial responsibilities, feel like you have less time to course correct if things go awry and aren't sure if you are ready to be seen in a new role. The thought of becoming a beginner again, of facing that vulnerability after decades of competence. It can feel daunting, but here's what I have discovered. Midlife bravery isn't about having no fear. It's about having the resiliency that comes with age that allows you to move forward despite that fear. Hello and welcome to the Mindful Life Changes Podcast, where we dive deep into the challenges and transformations shaping our lives from shifts in our roles at home and work to the transitions we navigate physically and mentally as we gracefully age. I'm your host Valerie Mekki a career change guide and mindfulness enthusiast. Putting yourself out there at midlife hits differently than when you were in your twenties or thirties. Back then, it was perhaps a mixture of naivete and the belief that you had nothing to lose. I'm not saying you were fearless. Any significant life change naturally comes with fear, but in your younger years, you were less in your head and more about taking action because there was less risk and less concern about being judged. I completely understand this. At age 46, I find myself facing the camera for a YouTube channel that includes this podcast, which launched earlier this week. It's called, oh, hello Midlife. Please go check it out, and I'll put the link in the show notes. There, I'm sharing all of the changes I've experienced in the past year. Living part-time with my mom to help my dad who lives in assisted living home. Living away from my husband of over 20 years being empty nesters at some degree and still navigating that pivot of my career change after 40. Yes, I'm still navigating that. And the question, aren't I too old for? This keeps circling in my head whenever I hit record on my phone, putting my image and thoughts out there is. Terrifying and the potential judgment from people I know and don't know feels paralyzing. Perhaps you are at the same cusp of putting yourself out there again, whether changing careers, starting that side hustle or tackling a fitness goal that seems harder to achieve at this age, and you're wondering to yourself, can I really do this? Well, what if we summon that bold mindset we possessed earlier in our twenties and thirties? But now enhanced with the wisdom, grit, and perspective we've gained over the decades. It's about recognizing that while the stakes may be higher, so too are your resilience lived experiences. That's a really powerful combination. So I'm going to share a framework that helps me step courageously into new beginnings after 40, I call it. The brave approach, B-R-A-V-E. A simple but powerful acronym, you know, you know me guys. I love my acronyms. This acronym breaks down the overwhelming concept of putting yourself out there with bravery into practical and manageable steps. So stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something new, inevitably comes with fear, but it will take bravery to push through the fear and take action anyway. This framework will help you access your inner courage when you need it the most. Transforming those paralyzing what ifs into exciting new possibilities. So let me break down what brave stands for. How each element helps you step courageously into new beginnings. Let's start with B. B equals breathe. When fear rises, our body stresses responses kick in, sending us into a fight or flight mode. Where rational thinking becomes nearly impossible, take a few deep intentional breaths. This is more than just calming. It's a psychological reset button. Simply pausing to breathe activates your parasympathetic nervous system, bringing you back to a centered state where courage can emerge. So before making any decision from a place of fear. Breathe first. RR stands for Remember your why. This is your emotional anchor. When doubt creeps in about whether you're too old or too established to make a change, reconnecting to your deeper purpose cuts through the noise. Remembering your why at midlife is often more authentic and powerful than in your younger years. It's redefined by experiences and aligned with your core values. Write it down, keep it visible, and return to it whenever fear threatens to derail you, remember your why. Moving on to a a equals actionable small steps. The beauty of midlife bravery is that it doesn't require dramatic leaps of faith. Breaking down any brave act into micro steps makes the impossible feel manageable. Instead

Valerie: 6:46

of starting a YouTube channel, think record a one minute video just for myself.

6:51

These small actions build both confidence and momentum. Each tiny step forward is evidence that you can do hard things, creating a positive feedback loop of courage. Now, let's move on to V. V stands for victory. Victory is one step away. What midlife has taught us is that overnight success is rarely real. Victory in brave endeavors isn't just about instant results. It's about consistent progress. Whether you're learning new skills, building a business, or putting yourself out there socially, remember that your next small step might be the one that creates a breakthrough. So having this mindset keeps you going when immediate results aren't visible, remember, victory is one step away. Lastly, e. E equals even small steps. are a win. This is perhaps the most important element of midlife bravery, learning to celebrate yourself or taking action regardless of the outcome. So each time you choose bravery over comfort, you are strengthening that courage muscle, acknowledging these victories, no matter how small they seem. The brave approach isn't about eliminating fear. It's about moving forward with purpose. Despite it When used together, these five elements create a practical roadmap for putting yourself out there in midlife with confidence, wisdom, and yes, bravery. So with that in mind, let's help you internalize this shift in perspective with an empowering affirmation. I am brave and remember that my why is stronger than my fear. This is the anchor that I mentioned before that can really help center you whenever fear arises. When you consciously remember your why, you're not just recalling information, you're reconnecting with your purpose, your passion, and your reason for a well-lived life. Let's start our practice by priming our mind and body so you'll be open to receiving this powerful affirmation. Take a deep and cleansing breath in and let all the air out. Releasing any energy that doesn't serve you and your mind or body. Take one more cleansing breath in and let all the air out. I'll begin by reciting the affirmation twice. And when you listen to the affirmations, imagine you're writing this affirmation down on a whiteboard or you're watching someone write it on the board for you. This will help with memorization. So let's begin. I am brave and I remember that my why is stronger than my fear. I'll repeat the affirmation again. I am brave and remember that my why is stronger than my fear. I'll repeat the affirmation again, and this time I want you to repeat it out loud to yourself so you can make that connection. I am brave and I remember that my why is stronger than my fear. Once again, I'll repeat the affirmation and say it out loud to yourself. I. I am brave and remember that my why is stronger than my fear. Now I want you to visualize yourself facing something that feels scary. Perhaps it's that new beginning that you've been wanting to start. Notice the fear that arises. Now, imagine yourself taking a deep breath and remembering your why. Watch as remembering your why. Transforms your posture, your facial expression, your energy, and feel how it anchors you, giving you stability even as fear stills whispers in the background. Imagine this in full color. I'll repeat the affirmation again. I am brave and remember that my why is stronger than my fear. I'll repeat it one last time and give you a moment to let it sink in. I am brave and remember that my why is stronger than my fear. When you're ready, slowly open your eyes if you had them closed, and if it feels comfortable to you, place your hand over your heart to help seal in this affirmation with self love and care. Remember this simple practice, take a deep breath, and remember your why. It's always stronger than your fear. This remembering is not just a mental exercise, it's an act of bravery itself. This affirmation is yours to recite and practice for at least 21 days once a day. It's most effective before going to bed at night or when you wake up in the morning before you start your day. To deepen your affirmation practice, consider making your affirmation sticky. This is another acronym that will help you craft more sustainable and effective affirmation practice. Refer back to episode one where I walk you through this method. You can also write down this affirmation on a sticky note and place it on your bathroom mirror or on your laptop as a daily reminder of your why and that you are brave and that you can push past the fear. You can also shorten this affirmation to a mantra, my why is stronger than my fear. And repeat it to yourself whenever you are questioning your path or whenever fear arises. And if you like this affirmation for bravery, check out episode four where I share an affirmation designed to help you step outside of your comfort zone and move past the discomfort. I'll add that link into the show notes too. There is no better way to develop a healthy habit than by setting yourself up for success. Subscribe to this podcast and bookmark this episode so you'll have it handy whenever you need a quick reminder of your brave framework. And affirmation. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a family member or a friend who might be standing at the edge of their own brave new beginning or show your appreciation by giving us a rating. Whenever you listen to this podcast, your support helps other midlifers discover this content so it can grow and blossom, and. Just a quick reminder, you can now listen to this episode on YouTube, on my channel. Oh, hello midlife. There you'll find videos on navigating midlife changes and challenges like caring for aging parents while raising kids. A topic that most of you can relate to. And you will also find a special playlist of animated affirmation videos to help guide you through your sessions with calming and peaceful visuals. This has always been something that I've always wanted to do and publish, and I'm so excited to share it with you. Thank you for sharing this time and space with me. Every moment you dedicate to being mindful as a step towards a more fulfilled and vibrant life, keep embracing your midlife journey with an open heart. And remember, you are not alone in this. I look forward to our next mindful gathering. I'll talk to you soon.