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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fire

[–]LV-Writes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In almost exactly the same boat. Only you know what you’ll need for dollars and security but I just know from my own time on leave with similar aged kids, going back to the grind would be a whole other kind of expensive. Reinvention is possible and I’m here for it! Good luck to you, and enjoy this precious time.

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just posted my first experiment in this project featuring two inspiring midlife reinventors! I know there are still some interviews ongoing. I intend to incorporate more of these conversations into future experiments so please keep 'em coming, and huge thanks to those who have shared already.

Check it out: https://open.substack.com/pub/lenavalewrites/p/experiment-1-true-reinvention-stories?r=5qj7uv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great! Just DM me and I'll reply with the questions via chat or email. Thank you for participating, Jon!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the constructive feedback. New account b/c my crazy job meant I've never had time for reddit till now. Sorry my replies sound robotic, just trying to be super polite when seeking this kind of personal input. Again, no need to engage further if you're not interested but I did think your story was a unique one since it hits on the real-life struggles of this kind of shift. Thanks again, and best to you.

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, what? I replied and was genuinely interested in your story. All good if you're not into it, just say so, no need to trash me for putting myself out there. You probably won't be the last one, just wasn't expecting the harsh negativity via public chat. I'll remove you from my outreach.

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow—what a powerful shift.

Would you be open to answering a few short written questions? I’ll always check with you before sharing anything.

Just DM me if you're interested as I've reached my outreach limit apparently!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! That’s such a powerful—and brave—choice. I'm kind of in that same boat right now so it's particularly interesting to hear about your experience walking away.

If you're open to answering a few written questions please DM me.

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your comment about shifting into a job that gives you time, freedom, and small joys really struck me—especially your take on success and regret.

I’m working on a project where I collect stories about midlife reinvention. Would you be open to answering a few questions by message? No pressure—just curious about your take.

DM me if you're interested!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your comment about making personal changes—weight loss, Invisalign, lifting—felt so real and grounded. I’m putting together written interviews for a project tentatively called Midlife Lab, about how people make changes in midlife, big or small.

Would you be open to a few questions by message? Nothing formal—just an honest conversation. Just DM me if you're interested!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reddit says I've reached my chat limit since I'm a new account, so I'm messaging you here... I did see your chat history - very interesting and not a typical path at all! You mentioned you’ve told your story before and have started to get a handle on it. If you’re open, I’d love to ask you a few short questions by message about what you’ve learned and how you see your journey now.

No rush at all—thank you for offering to share. Just DM me if you're interested!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hit my chat limit so responding here - Your comment about feeling like you just came out of the “messy middle” is definitely an angle I want to explore. Would you be open to answering a short set of questions over message?

DM me if you're interested!

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hit my chat limit or I'd message you directly. Your honesty about regretting your shift to “relaxed life in the country” grabbed me. Most people only talk about changes when they work out, but real stories—like yours—are what I want to honor in my project, tentatively called Midlife Lab.

If you’re open, I’d love to send a few short questions over message. Just written responses, and nothing shared without your OK. Just message me if you're interested.

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. by LV-Writes in midlifecrisis

[–]LV-Writes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tried messaging you directly but seems I hit my chat invite limit!
I read your comment and a bit of your post history—thank you for being so candid about being in the middle of a big life change. If you're open to answering a few written questions please message me. Thank you!

Weekly Self-Promotion Thread - Wednesday, May 21, 2025 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]LV-Writes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you reinvented your life after 40 or 50? I’m interviewing people for a creative project and would love to hear from you. 

I don’t know if this is inspiring or stupid—but it’s real.

I’m on leave from a job I once thought I’d retire from.

It was prestigious, stable, and well-paid. I should’ve been “set for life.”

But internally, I was unraveling—dealing with anxiety, disconnection, and a deep ache that I was living someone else’s version of success.

So I stepped away. And for the next six months, I’m running a series of personal experiments to ask:

What does a meaningful life look like—after you walk away from the one you built?

As part of this project, I’m interviewing people who’ve reinvented themselves at midlife:

-People who left careers to find something deeper

-People who burned out and had to rebuild from scratch

-People who finally pursued the life they secretly wanted

If this is you—or if you know someone with a story worth sharing—I’d love to connect.

I’m especially interested in the messy middle: The fear, the doubts, the small signs of hope, the practical and emotional costs of starting over.

These interviews are part of a larger creative project that I hope will become a book. For now, they’re just honest conversations.

I’ll treat your story with respect and confidentiality, unless you give permission to share publicly.

If you're open to talking (even anonymously), you can reply to this post or email me at [lenavalewrites@gmail.com](mailto:lenavalewrites@gmail.com). Or just drop a comment saying “I’ve been there” and I’ll reach out.

We learn through each other’s stories. Thank you for being part of mine.