Turning 50 last year felt like a significant milestone. The Christmas previous, my family and I were discussing New Year’s resolutions, and I declared two goals for 2024: to feel more fulfilled and to laugh out loud more often. I didn’t know it yet, but life was about to take an unscheduled detour.
In January 2024, I was unexpectedly let go from my job. There wasn’t much LOL-ing that day, nor in the ones that followed. I was upset and completely thrown-off balance. While it was a shock and deeply unpleasant, I realized that I was equipped to handle it. Decades ago, a younger version of me would have ranted and raved, taking it as a personal failure. But nearly 50 years of life experience have given me resilience and perspective. Born in West Cornwall in the UK, my passion for languages led me to live and work across Europe. I’ve faced challenges, like giving birth to my first child in an Italian delivery room with only a smattering of Italian and starting a new career in a digital marketing consultancy in Milan in my 40’s. The latter was by far the more excruciating situation. These experiences however, often far outside my comfort zone, have taught me grit and adaptability.
Life has also brought grief, loss, love, joy, and a mix of financial highs and lows. These experiences have shaped my perspective and allowed me to take myself less seriously. I’ve learned to shrug off the small stuff and value true friendships. While the younger me viewed the world in black and white, the older me sees shades of gray and recognizes this recent work dismissal not as a failure, but as an oddly wrapped gift.
Initially, that “gift” sat unopened. The weeks following the dismissal were a rollercoaster. At times, I felt empowered and liberated, ready to take on the world. At other times, I was scared and filled with self-doubt. A pesky inner voice would whisper, “You’re nearly 50. You’re not 25 anymore. Who’s going to hire you now?”
Navigating this phase felt different from past transitions. A friend recommended the Chip Conley podcast “Midlife Is Not A Crisis,” and though skeptical at first, I found myself nodding along to its themes. Two concepts stood out: “showing-off” versus “showing-up” and “age fluidity.”
The idea of our younger years being about “showing-off” resonated. I’ve spent much of my life being the extrovert, the storyteller, the social connector, and the cultural architect in workplaces and social circles. But the notion of “showing-up” felt like a relief. It was a nudge to embrace a new phase, one where I prioritize authenticity over performance.
“Age fluidity” also struck a chord. Working in a start-up with many colleagues in their 20s and 30s, I felt like an equal. However, subtle banter about age revealed a slightly dismissive attitude—one I’d unconsciously internalized. Society often undervalues older generations, and I’d begun to do the same to myself. Recognizing this mindset was pivotal, shifting my perspective on aging from limitation to strength.
That juncture, coinciding with my 50th birthday, felt like an opportunity for reflection and growth. It was a chance to embrace the concept of “showing-up” and to chart a new course with purpose and fulfillment at its core. I’ve come to see this unexpected career setback not as an end, but as a doorway to new possibilities.
After turning 50, I’m eager to explore what this next chapter holds—not only in my career but in shaping my personal life. With resilience, wisdom, and a sense of humor always in hand, I’m ready to unwrap the gift that’s been left on my doorstep and see where it leads.
-Emma
Emma Cuthbertson is a digital marketing consultant based in Northern Italy. Originally from Cornwall in the UK, she has spent much of her life mastering the art of embracing change—from living and working across Europe, raising her family, changing career in her 40’s – and mostly discovering that resilience pairs beautifully with a good sense of humor. Emma is also an active community member of the MEA. About to turn 50, life threw Emma an unexpected detour. She shares her reflections on resilience, adaptability, and finding a new way forward in midlife.
https://substack.com/@fromthemessymiddle
