When I lived in the UK, I learned about St. George’s Day, celebrated every April 23rd. While not a public holiday, it’s still marked with celebrations – cosplay, jousting and reenactments in English Heritage castles. In the grand tradition of myth and legend, St. George slayed a dragon and became a saint. He faced a terrifying beast, fought bravely, and was rewarded with eternal glory.
While I am no knight in shining armor, I’ve faced my own dragons especially midlife. They didn’t breathe fire and they didn’t lurk in caves, but rather in boardrooms, dressing rooms and moments of self-doubt.
1. The Dragon of Invisibility: The Feeling of Being Unseen
This one wraps you in a cloak of silence. Ideas you once confidently voiced now wither on your tongue, unheard in the bustling marketplace of opinions. And when you do speak up, your insight is met with blank stares, as if you hadn’t spoken at all.
And it’s not just in your head. Research shows that over 50% of women over 45 feel overlooked in the workplace and beyond.
Food for thought… Maybe invisibility is actually a superpower. Maybe, for the first time in your life, you’re free to stop playing by their rules and start making your own.
2. The Dragon of Irrelevance: The Questioning of Purpose
This one weaves a spell of desire for phantom success, the one measured by rungs on the corporate ladder. It’s the nagging thought that all those late nights chasing promotions now feel like chasing a ghost of a desire you no longer recognize.
I used to believe that if I didn’t make it to the C-suite by the time I turn 50, I’d failed. I worked harder, pushed myself further until I realized I was chasing a definition of success I didn’t even believe in anymore.
Turns out, I wasn’t alone. One in four women consider leaving the workforce around menopause. Not because they’ve lost relevance, but because they’re tired of proving it.
The real question isn’t “am I still relevant? “ but it’s “do I even care about the same things anymore?” And if not, “what do I care about now?”
3. The Dragon of Obsolescence: The Burden of “Too Late”
This one whispers insidious doubts: “Your skills are outdated. The world is moving on without you. It’s too late to try something new.”
It’s the hesitation before trying a new technology or learning a new skill. It’s your own inner voice whispering, ‘You’re too late to learn this.'”
Fun facts:
- Toni Morrison published her first novel at 39 and won a Nobel Prize at 62.
- Vera Wang opened her own bridal boutique at 40.
- Julia Child wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking at 50.
In this day and age, there is no longer such a thing as obsolete. Like the next iPhone, It’s all about upgrading to the next version of yourself.
How to Slay (or Befriend) These Dragons
1. Face the Dragon
In How to Train Your Dragon, young Hiccup tames the most feared dragon of all by giving it a harmless name: Toothless.
Let’s do the same. Name your fear. Write it down. Say it out loud. The moment you name the dragon, you take away its power.
Dragon-Taming Exercise: On a piece of paper, list three fears that have haunted you. Then write a positive phrase next to it. Mine were:
“I’m not good enough” | “You are a unique and incredible person.”
“I can’t do it.” | “You have a valuable message.”
“What if I fail?” | “Be brave.”
Words matter. So is self-compassion.
2. Find Your Sword
Your sword isn’t made of steel. It’s made of knowledge and community.
- Read about menopause, midlife reinvention, and the science of fear.
- Surround yourself with people who challenge you and cheer for you.
Sword-Sharpening Challenge: This week, commit to one small action. Choose one book about midlife transformation or encore careers. Reach out to one woman you admire who’s thriving in her second act or someone who’s younger and can reverse mentor you.
3. Own Your Legend
This isn’t the time to shrink. This is the time to stand up, speak up, and step fully into who you were always meant to be.
Start saying:
- “I’m not old, I’m perfectly seasoned.”
- “I’m not starting over. I’m starting from experience.”
Legend-Building Practice: Write a short letter to your future self about your plans. Write about what you’re curious about, what you need to learn and who can help you gain extra understanding and insight. Then write a letter back from your future self, acknowledging what helped you succeed and the people who helped you along the way.
Your Dragon Slaying Starts Now
If St. George were a menopausal woman, she wouldn’t just slay the dragon – she’d outsmart it and put it to work, like helping watch the kids.
Because here’s the thing about dragons: They only guard what’s valuable.
So if your fears feel big, it’s because what’s waiting for you on the other side is even bigger. What’s the treasure these dragons are guarding?
Freedom.
- Freedom to stop caring about what doesn’t matter.
- Freedom to redefine success.
- Freedom to finally put yourself at the center of your own story.
Before you close this page: Write down the name of your most persistent dragon—that fear or doubt that’s been holding you back the longest. Then choose one small, specific action you can take in the next 24 hours that defies this dragon. Maybe it’s sending that email pitching your idea, signing up for that class, or simply telling someone about your new dream. Do it before sunset today. This single act of courage is how legends begin.
Now, go claim your treasure… and let the dragons be your bag carriers.
Carlos Vargas Gierke
