93. Escaping the Good Girl Trap and Rewriting Your Midlife Story, with Ellen Baker

There is a perfect storm of transitions that hits women in our 40s, 50s, and 60s: kids leaving home, aging parents, prep for retirement, and menopause. With so much happening at once, it is completely normal to feel frustrated, unfulfilled, or a little bit lost. We often spend our days running on an exhausting loop of "I have to" and forget that we actually have a choice. In this episode, I welcome successful novelist and mindset coach Ellen Baker. Ellen is the author of four novels, including her latest release, Summerland Cove, and the creator of the Next Chapter Studio. We dive into how the "good girl" conditioning keeps us playing small, why we need to stop outsourcing our authority to others, and how to rewrite your beliefs so you can finally become the main character in your own life. What You’ll Learn:✔ "Good Girl" Conditioning: How ingrained beliefs to stay small, blend in, and constantly prove ourselves keep us stuck in an exhausting cycle. ✔ Outsourcing Authority: How to recognize when you are giving your power away by constantly scanning the room to fix everyone else's problems. ✔ The Power of a Small Pivot: Why making a tiny, one-degree shift in your choices—like asking yourself what you need in the moment—can completely change the trajectory of your life. Episode Chapters:00:00:00 - Escaping The 'Have To' Loop00:01:05 - Inner Circle And Support Space00:02:13 - Why Midlife Can Feel Lost00:04:38 - Ellen Baker’s Reinvention Story00:12:51 - Emotions Point To Misalignment00:16:46 - The Belief That Blocks Rest00:23:25 - Author Your Life With Authority00:27:31 - Trading Obligation For Choice00:31:10 - Fictional Mirror And Tiny Pivots00:34:02 - Find Ellen And Closing ReminderLinks & Resources:Ellen's Website: Ellenbakernovels.com The Next Chapter Studio: EllenbakerNovels.com/studioEllen's Instagram: @EllenBakerNovels Ellen's Book: Summerland CoveWhy This Episode Matters By checking in with your own needs and changing your internal narrative from "I have to" to "I choose to," you can reclaim your agency and find peace even amid midlife chaos. Take a little bit better care of yourself in midlife.---------------Find the GreenSynergy Elixir and Energy Fizz duo at cherylpfischer.com/greens. Grab your water bottle, add these, and enjoy!Support the show🌸 Liked this episode? Share it with fellow Gen X women navigating hormone balance, an empty nest, and/or self-confidence!🫶 Love this show? Leave a review to help more women over 50 find us.💡Want menopause advice, mindset shifts, or support with midlife transformation?Find out more about the Midlife Recharge at cherylpfischer.com/rechargeLet’s talk health after 50, self-talk, and redefining aging for women — without the “midlife crisis” narrative. Every week I'm adding new success strategies for midlife women.Connect with Cheryl: Instagram | LinkedIn | Website---------------💡If you are a brand or business wanting to reach an audience of women in their 40s and 50s who are focused on health, success, and taking care of themselves and others well in this stage of life, consider sponsoring Mind Your Midlife podcast.  More information here.