You don’t mention what your career goals were back then. Since what you do wasn’t really an option. Just curious.
I think the success you’ve had with your marriage and children plus a successful career ought to mitigate any unmet goals from 20 + years ago. We have to put some things aside in order to make room for the things that take priority. It is a sad fact of life, that we really can’t have it all.
Thank you for reading. To your first question, I had broader ambitions I'll keep private, especially as I explore them more. But I will tell you that I've never forgotten them. I think about them all the time, even 20+ years later.
To your second, I'd gently push back. The whole point of the piece was that "your success ought to mitigate any unmet goals" is exactly the conditioning I'm trying to examine. I am grateful. Deeply. That is obvious in this piece and across my work.
And I still get to ask what else I might want. Both can be true.
I'm 46, hopefully only halfway through my life. My children are slowly but surely becoming more independent. It is, in my opinion, a perfectly appropriate and powerful moment to examine any unmet goals one might have had. I think reexamining those goals, the ones we had before so many other things came first, is exactly why women go back to school later in life, change careers, enter politics, write their first books, explore new fields.
There are so many stories of women following dreams they had as kids later in life. Imagine how sad it would be if, before we turn 50, there were no more big dreams left.
To say we should be grateful enough to stop wanting is to deny ourselves one of the real gifts of this stage.
You make some excellent points. I believe I misunderstood your musings. I thought you were wondering if there was more you should have accomplished by now, not that there was more you can accomplish. I wholeheartedly agree. I’m 20 years your senior and can assure you, there is life after children and that life does need to be planned and examined. I recently retired and again I have to examine my life and my goals to make sure I am making the most of my time daily, while appreciating the fact that there is value in rest.
This is so beautifully written and really resonated with me. Thank you for being vulnerable and always sharing your story. I love your content and always look forward to your posts.
This is a really brave post. I have been sitting with similar questions and realizations. Many of us have, I think. It's really good to hear you voice them. I hope that you continue exploring what that younger version of yourself wanted or dreamed of and that it bears fruit.
Thank you for this. It’s easy to just keep going forward kind of on auto pilot. Your post resonates with me. I think you are right, examining how we got to where we are while there is time to adjust isn’t selfish, it is smart. Thank you!
Thank you, Megan. You've articulated so well what I've been feeling for some time now. Interested to hear what you discover and in what direction you decide to go.
Great post, Megan! Thought provoking and gentle. I love the power of curiosity, and I am excited for you to see what unfolds through this process. Thank you for sharing this…and I hope that we will get to read an update as you explore. 💛
Wow. Just wow. Time passes more quickly the older I get and it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day routine. Oh, how I need this reminder to check in with myself and embrace who I really am and who I want to be. Like you, I am immensely grateful for the life I have. You made me realize that I have more to live and more to give and I pledge to be more intentional about that. Thank you for your insight and for sharing it with all of us. You are one of the best parts of my inbox. 💕
And now.... thank goodness some of those 19yr old teenage dreams did not come true. Often to realize one, means giving up something. I love my life and I am truly grateful for the challenges and joys. There is such peace in knowing God is and has been in control.
You don’t mention what your career goals were back then. Since what you do wasn’t really an option. Just curious.
I think the success you’ve had with your marriage and children plus a successful career ought to mitigate any unmet goals from 20 + years ago. We have to put some things aside in order to make room for the things that take priority. It is a sad fact of life, that we really can’t have it all.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading. To your first question, I had broader ambitions I'll keep private, especially as I explore them more. But I will tell you that I've never forgotten them. I think about them all the time, even 20+ years later.
To your second, I'd gently push back. The whole point of the piece was that "your success ought to mitigate any unmet goals" is exactly the conditioning I'm trying to examine. I am grateful. Deeply. That is obvious in this piece and across my work.
And I still get to ask what else I might want. Both can be true.
I'm 46, hopefully only halfway through my life. My children are slowly but surely becoming more independent. It is, in my opinion, a perfectly appropriate and powerful moment to examine any unmet goals one might have had. I think reexamining those goals, the ones we had before so many other things came first, is exactly why women go back to school later in life, change careers, enter politics, write their first books, explore new fields.
There are so many stories of women following dreams they had as kids later in life. Imagine how sad it would be if, before we turn 50, there were no more big dreams left.
To say we should be grateful enough to stop wanting is to deny ourselves one of the real gifts of this stage.
You make some excellent points. I believe I misunderstood your musings. I thought you were wondering if there was more you should have accomplished by now, not that there was more you can accomplish. I wholeheartedly agree. I’m 20 years your senior and can assure you, there is life after children and that life does need to be planned and examined. I recently retired and again I have to examine my life and my goals to make sure I am making the most of my time daily, while appreciating the fact that there is value in rest.
Wow this hit home 😭
This is so beautifully written and really resonated with me. Thank you for being vulnerable and always sharing your story. I love your content and always look forward to your posts.
Thanks you Terri. I appreciate it so much.
This is a really brave post. I have been sitting with similar questions and realizations. Many of us have, I think. It's really good to hear you voice them. I hope that you continue exploring what that younger version of yourself wanted or dreamed of and that it bears fruit.
Thank you for this. It’s easy to just keep going forward kind of on auto pilot. Your post resonates with me. I think you are right, examining how we got to where we are while there is time to adjust isn’t selfish, it is smart. Thank you!
You're a good writer, Megan.
Thank you, Megan. You've articulated so well what I've been feeling for some time now. Interested to hear what you discover and in what direction you decide to go.
Great post, Megan! Thought provoking and gentle. I love the power of curiosity, and I am excited for you to see what unfolds through this process. Thank you for sharing this…and I hope that we will get to read an update as you explore. 💛
Wow. Just wow. Time passes more quickly the older I get and it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day routine. Oh, how I need this reminder to check in with myself and embrace who I really am and who I want to be. Like you, I am immensely grateful for the life I have. You made me realize that I have more to live and more to give and I pledge to be more intentional about that. Thank you for your insight and for sharing it with all of us. You are one of the best parts of my inbox. 💕
And now.... thank goodness some of those 19yr old teenage dreams did not come true. Often to realize one, means giving up something. I love my life and I am truly grateful for the challenges and joys. There is such peace in knowing God is and has been in control.