The SHIFT Within:
The midlife itch.
The RESTLESSNESS We Don’t Talk About
“Over the past few years, I’ve felt this quiet restlessness—like something inside me is shifting, even though everything on the outside looks the same. I’m learning that instead of fearing it, I lean in and see where it leads. I actually now enjoy discovering the unknown.” Nic, creator of maison 1973.
It starts subtly. An itch. A feeling of unease. The sense that something is shifting inside you, even if everything on the outside looks exactly the same. You wake up one morning and realise that the things that once felt fulfilling now feel… off. Your job, your routine, even the way you spend your weekends—it’s all fine, but fine isn’t cutting it anymore.
This isn’t burnout. It’s not a midlife crisis (we’re so over that outdated term). It’s something deeper, something most women in midlife experience but rarely put into words. It’s restlessness. And contrary to what we’ve been led to believe, this isn’t something to fear—it’s something to listen to.
Let’s unpack what this feeling really means, why it happens in midlife, and how to harness it into something extraordinary.
“Restlessness is discontent, and discontent is the first necessity of progress…”
infamous innovator, Thomas A. Edison (1847–1931)
What Is MIDLIFE Restlessness And Why Is It Happening?
First, let’s get one thing straight: this is normal. In fact, if you’re feeling restless, it’s a good thing. It means you’re waking up to something bigger inside you.
The Science: Research shows that midlife is a period of psychological and emotional reassessment. Studies from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) suggest that women in their 40s and 50s often experience a shift in priorities, values, and desires—which can manifest as restlessness.
The Hormones: Oh, let’s not forget the hormonal rollercoaster. Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels affect mood, energy, and motivation. This is why one day we’re content, and the next we’re questioning everything.
The Awakening: For years—decades, really—we’ve been busy building, proving, and doing. Midlife is the first time we pause and ask: Is this actually what I want? And that question alone can shake everything up for us.
The FIVE Signs You’re In A Midlife RESTLESSNESS Phase
If you’re wondering whether this feeling is the thing everyone whispers about but no one explains, here are some telltale signs:
- You feel an urge for change—but you don’t know what kind.
- You’re suddenly bored with things that once excited you.
- You’re questioning your career, your lifestyle, or even your relationships.
- You feel a strange mix of excitement and fear—like something big is coming, but you’re unsure what.
- You catch yourself thinking: ‘Is this all there is?’
Sound familiar? Good. It means you’re on the edge of something new.
This Isn’t a Crisis – It’s a CALLING
Here’s where society gets it wrong. Women in their 40s and 50s experiencing these feelings are often labeled as being in a “midlife crisis”—as if we’re breaking down.
No, my friend. We are breaking open.
Reframing the Narrative: What if we saw this phase not as losing control, but as finally waking up? What if this restlessness wasn’t a problem to fix, but an invitation to step into a version of ourselves we’ve never met before?
The Japanese Concept of Ikigai: In Japan, there’s a term called Ikigai—it means “reason for being”. It’s the sweet spot where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all intersect. Many women hit midlife and realise that they’ve been missing one or more of these elements. This is the moment to realign. (Also take a look at: Ken Mogi, “The Little Book of Ikigai”)
What If This Restlessness Was a Compass? Instead of seeing it as an annoyance, what if you saw it as your intuition trying to get your attention? That tug in your gut? That’s your inner wisdom nudging you toward something better.
So How Can We Channel Restlessness Into Something MEANINGFUL?
So what do we do with this feeling? Here are some steps to make it work for you instead of against you:
1. Ask Yourself Bigger Questions Instead of suppressing your restlessness, sit with it. Journal, voice memo yourself, or just reflect on these:
- What is this feeling trying to tell me?
- Where do I feel most alive?
- What have I been ignoring or postponing in my life?
2. Just Try, Don’t Overthink Not sure what you want? Experiment. Take a class, start a hobby, say yes to something different. Movement creates momentum. The best way to get unstuck is to try something—anything.
3. Redefine Success Success in our 20s and 30s was about building. Success in midlife is about alignment. Really ask yourself: What does success look like for me now? The answer might surprise you.
4. Cut the ‘Shoulds’ A lot of restlessness comes from living by outdated rules. I should stay in this job because it’s stable. I should be grateful. I should be past this phase by now.
No. Midlife is about choosing, not just accepting.
5. Surround Yourself with Expanders Find women who are reinventing, evolving, thriving. Listen to their stories, read their books, follow them. The more you see it’s possible, the more possible it becomes for you.
Here’s the truth: Restlessness doesn’t mean something is wrong. It means something is ready to shift. You’re not stuck – you’re shifting.
“That restless feeling? I know it well. It’s what led me to create maison 1973. I could have ignored it, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t something to silence—it was something to follow. Because midlife isn’t about staying where we’ve always been. It’s about stepping into who we’re meant to be next.”
creator of maison 1973, Nic Tierney.
The Maison 1973 Takeaway:
Our final thought? Let yourself ask the questions, make the moves, and say yes to what calls you—even if you don’t have it all figured out yet. Because midlife isn’t about fading out.
It’s about turning up the volume on who you were meant to be all along.