The Messy Midlife Toolkit

Why we spiral: maybe you’re not the problem.

Ever found yourself snapping at someone you love, lying awake overthinking, doom scrolling, or feeling completely overwhelmed by something that normally wouldn’t bother you? When we’re carrying too much for too long, it can be easy to assume that we’re the problem. In this episode of The Messy Midlife Toolkit, we talk about what happens when life leaves us at capacity - and why trying to make big decisions from that place can make everything feel even harder. We share our own experiences of busy lives and competing demands, introduce our snow globe analogy for understanding overwhelm, and ask a rather different question: Instead of “Why can’t I cope anymore?” what if you asked “What am I carrying?” And we add another simple tool to your Messy Midlife Toolkit: The Permission Slip. Remember, maybe you don't need an answer just yet. You might just need to let the snow settle first. Follow The Messy Midlife Toolkit on Instagram @themessymidlifetoolkit to join the conversation. See you there!

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Rediscovering Yourself in Midlife

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels quite like you? In this episode, we talk about that strange midlife feeling of losing touch with yourself, when nothing is necessarily wrong, but something doesn’t quite fit anymore. We explore identity, values, the roles we take on over the years, and why feeling lost doesn’t necessarily mean you need to blow up your life and start again. Maybe you haven’t lost yourself. Maybe who you are has changed, but your life hasn’t caught up yet.

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Who We Are & Why We're Here

Welcome to The Messy Midlife Toolkit. In this short introduction, meet your hosts, Dr Janine van Someren and Vivienne Berryman, and hear why we created this podcast. We'll be talking about identity shifts, burnout, confidence, relationships, career crossroads, the invisible load, and the questions so many women find themselves asking in midlife. Expect honest conversations, practical tools, and gentle reminders that you're not the only one figuring it out as you go. We're really glad you're here.

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Introducing The Messy Midlife Toolkit

Welcome to The Messy Midlife Toolkit. In this short introductory episode, Vivienne shares how the podcast came about and some of the topics we'll be exploring in future episodes. From identity shifts, burnout, confidence and relationships, to the invisible load many women carry, changing priorities, friendship shifts, and the question so many of us find ourselves asking at some point: "So what's next for me?" The Messy Midlife Toolkit is a podcast for women navigating change, seeking clarity, and making sense of the messy middle of life.