I used to not like myself very much. Actually it’s not so much that I didn’t like myself but, rather, I wasn’t happy with where I was going with my life. I was a woman scattered. My life compass was off course and, as a result, I wasn’t happy with myself.

Then I entered midlife. That was my turning point — my life-changing paradigm shift.

Coming into midlife brought out the introspective within. I realized I was at a good point in my life. I was in a stable and happy marriage, I had traveled to far-flung and exotic places, and life was good. But it wasn’t just the ‘good’ that had an impact on me. Life had dealt me some pretty nasty hands, but I overcame. That let me know I was a survivor.

I began to like myself. I began to love myself. 

Sure, there are times when I fall short of my own expectations, or do things that are out of character for me, but I always remind myself that I’m a good person, and that I really do love the woman that I’ve become.