Midlife Motivation to Start Again: How Do You Restart When Life Feels Stuck?
A few years ago, if you had observed me, you might have remarked that I appeared “fit for my age.” I used to walk regularly and visit the gym occasionally, and I felt strong—not only in body but also in spirit.
However, life has a tendency to present unexpected challenges that can leave one feeling overwhelmed.
I used to walk regularly and hit the gym now and then, and I felt strong—not just in body, but in spirit too.
However, life often presents unexpected challenges that can completely overwhelm you. And over the past 2–3 years, I’ve taken quite a few hits.
My business experienced a significant decline. Finances got shaky. I started waking up every morning with this heavy, sinking feeling—like I was stuck in quicksand while the world moved on without me.
And slowly, I stopped moving, too.
The Slippery Slope
Initially, I only skipped a few walks. Then the treadmill gathered dust. Slowly, my clothes got tighter, the weighing scale crossed 100 kg, and somewhere along the way, I stopped recognizing the person in the mirror.
I’m 42 now. My body aches more. Energy is low. And motivation? Honestly, I haven’t felt motivated to take action.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just about the weight. It’s about the mind fog, the self-doubt, the feeling that maybe it’s too late to turn things around.
Every now and then, I’ll get this flicker—a small urge to walk again, to move, to reclaim even a piece of the life I had. But almost immediately, this other voice in my head whispers:
“What’s the point? Everything’s already a mess.”
And that voice… it’s loud. Familiar. And defeating.
So Why Am I Writing This?
Perhaps someone else shares similar sentiments.
Perhaps you’re in your 40s or 50s, struggling to recover from a challenging period. Maybe your health has slipped, your confidence has dipped, and you’re wondering:
How do I even begin again when I feel this stuck?
The truth is—I don’t have all the answers yet. I’m still in the middle of it. But I’ve realized one thing:
👉 Wanting to restart is already a start.
The small voice inside me that desires to walk again may be faint, but it is indeed real. And maybe, just maybe, I don’t need to wait for full-blown motivation. Maybe I just need to act on that tiny flicker.
What I’m Trying Now (and Maybe You Can Too)
Start really small.
Consider starting with just 5 minutes of walking. Not 5 km. Simply walk for 5 minutes. There should be no pressure, no gear, and no set goals.Don’t wait to feel motivated.
Honestly, you might not experience motivation anytime soon. Start even if you don’t feel like it. Mood often follows movement.Talk to someone.
I posted something similar on Reddit recently, just asking for encouragement. The kindness of strangers gave me a much-needed lift.Remember who you were—and still are.
I was once someone who took care of himself. That person isn’t gone. He has simply been silent for some time.
If You’re Feeling This Too...
I want you to know you’re not alone.
Midlife can feel like a weird in-between—not young anymore, not old yet, and often carrying more weight (emotionally and physically) than ever before.
But maybe this is the season to turn inward. We should strive to treat ourselves with more gentleness. We should begin anew, gradually, silently, yet purposefully.
If you’ve been through something similar and found a way to get moving again, I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Or if you’re still in it like me, let’s walk this road together.
Let’s take this journey together, literally,one step at a time.
❤️ From one midlife restarter to another,
– Ricky
Also Read: How to reinvent yourself at 40: your restart guide
Have a look.