The Art of Pivoting: A Self-Care Tool for Your Midlife Journey

Last night before bed, I did what I often do—a full brain dump. Thoughts, emotions, plans, to-do lists, and some good ol’ manifestation energy all spilled out onto the page. I felt grounded. Excited. Ready.

Here’s what I envisioned for the next day:

Workout
Pole time
Redecorate my closet-office
Create content
Pizza + movie night prep
Be radiant, be magical, be me

I went to sleep feeling aligned, and I even woke up in that same high-vibe space. But after breakfast, something shifted. Out of nowhere, a bone-deep tiredness settled in. The kind that says,

“We’re done here today.”

At first, I resisted. I had a plan. I had goals. I had intentions soaked in positivity. But as I sat there, frozen between what I wanted to do and what my body was begging for, I did something that would’ve been unthinkable a few years ago:

I asked my body what she needed in the present moment. I asked for her permission to push forward through the uncomfortableness and fatigue that had seemingly come out of nowhere. When she anwered “No, I need rest”—I listened.
I honored that no.
And I pivoted.

What Does It Mean to Pivot?

In a world that praises hustle and pushing through by any means necessary, quitting or changing course is often seen as weakness. But pivoting is not quitting—it’s honoring. It’s not a failure—it’s an adjustment rooted in wisdom about the one thing on this earth that you need to have the most knowledge on: YOU.

Pivoting is the art of listening inward. It’s the courageous act of realignment when your inner truth no longer matches your external direction.

It’s saying:

“Even though I planned this… I choose presence.”
“Even though I invested time, energy, and identity into this path… I choose myself.”
“Even though I don’t want to disappoint anyone… I won’t abandon me.”

Midlife Is Full of Pivot Points

If you’re a woman in midlife, chances are you’ve felt the tremors of transition: in your body, your relationships, your calling, your rhythms. You’ve pushed through exhaustion because you thought you had to. You’ve dismissed whispers for rest because you feared being seen as lazy, ungrateful, or weak.

I know. I’ve been her.

But I’ve learned that pushing through at the cost of my well-being never got me where I truly wanted to be. It left me burnt out, resentful, and disconnected from my own magic.

So now? I pivot.

Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash

Signs It’s Time to Pivot

Pivoting doesn’t always show up with fanfare. Often, it begins with quiet cues:

A project you once loved feels heavy
You’re dragging yourself through routines you used to enjoy
You keep overriding fatigue, frustration, or your inner “no”
You feel resentment instead of inspiration
You know what you should do… but your body won’t cooperate

These are not signs of failure. They’re invitations. Your body, heart, and soul are communicating. The question is—are you listening?

Pivoting as a Sacred Self-Care Practice

Being able to pivot is a vital skill—especially in midlife. It’s a tool for your well-being toolbox. One that allows you to:

Release guilt over needing rest or change
Let go of plans that no longer serve you
Trust that what worked before doesn’t have to work forever
Shift without shame
Honor your body and intuition above external expectations

Pivoting asks you to be radically honest and deeply compassionate. To know that self-trust is more valuable than consistency. And to remember that flexibility is a form of strength.

These custom pair of Nike shoes I had made symbolize a major pivot point in my life.

You Are the Pivot Point

At its core, the art of pivoting isn’t just about changing direction—it’s about becoming the center point from which your life turns.

You get to redefine what success looks like.
You get to pause.
You get to restart.
You get to say, “This no longer fits who I am becoming.”

That’s not defeat. That’s power.

Ready to Embrace the Art of the Pivot?

This is just the beginning of the conversation. In an upcoming vlog episode, I’ll be diving even deeper into the emotional, spiritual, and practical sides of pivoting—how to recognize your pivot points, overcome resistance, and create a rhythm of life that’s rooted in alignment, not performance.

✨ Stay tuned—because the pivot might just be the beginning of your next beautiful chapter.

👉🏽 Subscribe to my YouTube channel @becomingshonnonnicole so you don’t miss the upcoming episode. Turn on notifications so you’re the first to know when it drops!