My life took a major turn in June 2024. At 52, the toxic man in my life was finally gone. What was left? A long road ahead—one that required healing, rebuilding, and finding my way back to the life I’d dreamed about before him.
Now, I’m starting over at 53.
And I won’t sugarcoat it—this is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Will I quit?
HELL NO.
This space—my blog, my YouTube channel, everything I share—is my daily life in motion. It’s where I chase my dreams and work toward the goals I’ve set for myself over the next year. You’ll see the messy parts and the magic. I hope you’ll come with me as I navigate this season of starting over after 50, and becoming the woman I was always meant to be.
Starting Over at 53: Terrified and Exhilarated
It’s taken almost a full year to get to the place where I can even think about thriving again—mentally, physically, financially. When the relationship with my toxic ex ended, I was left with deep wounds, a pile of debt, no vehicle, and about $1,000 to my name. I was physically run-down, emotionally wrecked, and honestly? I felt like I had no future.
And I was angry.
But I knew the only way out of the mess was through it.
So I started small.
The first thing I did was cut off all contact with him.
Then, I got a part-time job.
Then, I started making YouTube videos again—one upload at a time, I found pieces of myself.
Those steps, however tiny, empowered me.
I slowly began to eat better. I walked daily to clear my head. I read everything I could get my hands on—hiking memoirs, self-help, books on rebuilding and reinvention.
Little by little, I felt myself becoming Allie again.
But I’ll be real: everything still felt scattered. I needed a plan.
So almost one year after he left my life, I sat down and created my “9 Goals for Starting Over at 53.”
Now here we are. It’s May 2025, and I’ve been working toward my new future for a solid month. Some days are harder than others, but giving up isn’t even on the table. I’ve made a commitment to myself to take it one day at a time. I don’t look too far back, and I don’t get lost in the what-ifs ahead. Each day stands on its own. I do my best with the 24 hours I’m given.
Attempting Goals and Starting Over After 50
Honestly, I thought by the time I hit my 50s I’d have it all figured out.
Instead, I’m over here rebuilding a life I probably should’ve designed years ago.
But even though some of my current goals are hard—like saving up for a car or healing from heartbreak—they still give me a sense of direction. I love having something to aim for. I wish the goals were more fun right now (like “learn to fly fish” or “take off to Madrid”), but this is where I’m starting.
And you know what?
Starting over at 53 is still a start.
Better late than never, right?
I’ll be documenting the whole thing right here on my blog and on YouTube, especially in my playlist: 2025 My Extreme Goals: Starting Over After 50.
And if you’re in your 50s too—or any age, really—and feel like you’re rebuilding, come along with me. You don’t have to do this alone.
I created a free email series to help you get started. You’ll get:
- My Monday Morning Motivations right in your inbox
- A Guide to Creating Your Personal Goals
- A Checklist + Journal to track your progress
- And access to my own 9 goals, the actions I’m taking, and how I’m staying motivated
👉 Click here to join the journey.
Let’s do this—messy, brave, and imperfect.
Because starting over after 50 isn’t the end.
It’s a brand new beginning.
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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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