In 2025 I hit rock bottom after leaving a toxic relationship. This has prompted me to set up some personal goals that I MUST accomplish in my 50s to look forward to having a more vibrant life ahead. This is my comeback at 53 years old. Let’s set SMART goals after 50 and get out of our ruts.
Read Also : My Extreme Goals : Starting Over at 53
How I’m Setting Personal Goals and Getting Out of My Rut
If you’re anything like me, midlife has brought some big changes—some beautiful, some painful, and some that just knocked the wind right out of me. After coming out of a toxic relationship, I found myself broke, exhausted, and honestly… a little lost.
But I also knew I wasn’t done yet.
That’s when I sat down and figured out how to set personal goals after 50 that actually felt right for this version of me—not the 30-something me or the hustling-to-survive me—but the woman I am now. A woman rebuilding, reimagining, and rising.
If you’re in a similar place—maybe you’re starting over, recovering from a life shift, or just craving something more—I want to share what’s been helping me move forward.
Here’s how I’m setting personal goals in midlife that stick, with a little more heart and a whole lot more wisdom.
SMART Goals at Midlife
Let’s take a closer look at how I actually set my goals—it’s a 5-step process that’s helped me go from overwhelmed to empowered.
Step 1: Take a Brutally Honest Look at Your Life
It’s not fun, but it’s necessary.
I had to sit down and ask myself:
👉 What needs work? Where am I really struggling?
For me, the answer was clear: my physical health, mental well-being, and finances were all screaming for attention.
This step can feel like a gut punch. You might look around and think, “How did I get here?” But I promise—facing it is powerful. It’s the first real step toward change.
Step 2: Write It Down (Yes, All of It)
Don’t keep it swirling around in your head. Put pen to paper.
Ask yourself:
✔ What’s not working right now?
✔ What would I love to improve?
✔ What kind of life do I want to create in this next chapter?
Once you write it down, take a moment and imagine:
💭 What does life look like when that thing improves? How does future-you feel?
That vision becomes your why—your fuel for moving forward.
Step 3: Turn It Into a SMART Goal
Here’s where we turn that vague “I want to get healthy” into something real.
I use the SMART goal framework because it keeps me grounded:
- S – Specific
- M – Measurable
- A – Attainable
- R – Relevant
- T – Time-bound
One of my goals was simply: Eat more vegetables.
But when I SMART-ed it up, it became:
👉 “I will eat vegetables at every meal for one year to support my health and energy goals.”
Suddenly, it was something I could track and actually follow through on.
Step 4: Create a Real Plan (Not a Pinterest-Perfect One)
You don’t need a fancy planner or a color-coded system (unless that’s your jam).
You just need a doable plan that fits your life.
For my veggie goal, I:
🥦 Prepped veggies ahead of time
🛒 Shopped with a plan
📝 Left sticky note reminders
It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency.
Step 5: Track Progress & Be Okay With Adjusting
Here’s the truth: some days, I crush it. Other days, I fall flat.
But that doesn’t mean I give up.
I track my progress using a simple checklist and journal. And if I fall off, I adjust. I don’t beat myself up.
That’s the beauty of learning how to set personal goals after 50—you’ve got the wisdom to know life happens, and the strength to keep going anyway.
What It Feels Like to Work Toward Goals in Midlife
Even though I only started this journey recently, the changes I’ve felt are wild:
🌟 Accomplished – I’m doing things I didn’t think were possible at 53.
💪 Empowered – I’m building a life that nobody can take from me.
⚡ Energized – The more I follow through, the better I feel—mind, body, and soul.
😴 Tired but Fulfilled – I push hard, but I also know when to rest. Self-care is part of the plan.
Want to Set Your Personal Goals after 50?
If this spoke to you, I created a free resource just for women like us.
👉 Goal Setting After 50: Monday Motivations
It’s a weekly email series full of encouragement, journal prompts, and mindset tips to help you set meaningful goals and stay on track—without the pressure to hustle or be perfect.
Because we’re not behind.
We’re not too old.
We’re just getting started.
💌 Sign up here to start getting Monday Motivations from me in your inbox.
“We’re not over the hill. We’re on top of the World!”
~Allie
WATCH : How to Set Personal Goals After 50
Thank You for Stopping By!
Hi, I’m Allie—solo traveler, hiker, and midlife reinventor. I’m sharing my real story of reinventing my life in my 50s after a breakup with a toxic man, with a touch of hiking adventures mixed in.
This blog is where I explore what it means to rebuild and chase freedom in your 50s and beyond—because life doesn’t end at midlife, it begins. Let’s wander, grow, and figure it out together.
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