Drive to achieve in late 40s

[UnderPar]

I am in my late 40s. I have always been very driven to achieve my goals. Some I have managed and others I haven’t. Recently, I have felt like I have lost my drive and that the goal now is to not go down hill or have anything go wrong. The goal now is cautiousness!

I know that older people can climb mountains and write symphonies and become president of the United States etc … I wonder if I will get my drive back once I have passed through menopause. I am definitely perimenopausal.

It feels like treading water and that if I tried to get my zest back I just wouldn’t have the energy to go climbing mountains or writing symphonies. Anyone else have any thoughts or experience of this? I’m a bit worried that it’s forever and wonder if I need to adjust my goals to fit a new less energetic me.

Mid 40s here, maybe it's OK for goals to change and for the current replacement goal to be content during menopausal transition. Maybe energetic goals are a unnecessary and draining. Maybe we don't need to prove anything to anyone, even ourselves, maybe we are enough, exactly as we are.

I'm on my 50s and was always career driven, I've raced motorbikes, I've travelled etc. these days I'm happier with a more junior role which gives me the flexibility and low stress I want, and I'm happier pottering in my garden than out racing on my bike. It's taken me years to come to terms with the fact that this is what I'm happiest at. The old saying 'comparison is the thief of joy' is so absolutely right. Some people are happy climbing mountains, but I think that's the exception to the norm. Most of us are happy with a more sedate lifestyle.

I agree with you. You are right. I think my personality type is (or was) very goal oriented. It’s not so much about the achievement, it is the buzz of working towards it.