Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “It’s too late for me to start over” or “I’m too old to switch careers now”?
Our client, Mary Meier, thought the same thing, until God wrote a new chapter in her story.
At 54, after 15 years working in public education, Mary faced an unexpected career pivot when her teaching contract wasn’t renewed. What could have felt like failure became the doorway to a calling she never imagined.
Today, she’s thriving in her second career with KinderMusik, helping parents and children build strong bonds through music and play. Her journey is proof that it’s not too late to change careers and pursue work that aligns with your God-given gifts.
Here’s what Mary’s story can teach you about starting fresh at any age, and how to take your first step today. But first, let’s talk about a real-world problem:
Why Do So Many People Feel “Too Old” to Start Over?
It’s easy to believe the lie that career change is only for the young, or those who are thriving in their 20s and 30s. But here’s the truth:
- A recent AARP survey found that 49% of people that are 45 years or older have made a career change, and they are thriving.
- Workers over 50 are now the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.
- Your experience and soft skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving, are highly valued in many industries.
As Mary shared, “I could’ve said, ‘My whole life I failed. I haven’t done anything. I’m 54, almost 55, and my resume is only two pages long.’ But God reminded me: none of this is wasted. He’s been preparing me all along.”
Here are the key takeaways from Mary’s story that you can use to overcome the fear that you’re too old or it’s too late to change careers.
Step 1: Stop Believing the Lie That You’re “Too Late”
The biggest obstacle to starting over is not your age, but your mindset. Mary could have let discouragement stop her after losing her teaching job. But she reframed the situation as God’s invitation to grow: “God stopped everything in my life and said, I need you to listen to Me. Get out of your head and seek My heart.”
Your age is not a limitation, and you can actually use it for your advantage. You’ve lived, worked, and built skills younger professionals are still learning. That wisdom and resilience make you uniquely equipped to pivot.
Step 2: Reframe Your Identity
For years, Mary tied her identity to her career as a teacher. When that ended, she felt lost – until she remembered who she was: “My identity wasn’t teaching. It was Mary, a child of God… and that changed everything.”
Oftentimes, we mistake our job titles for our identity, but that’s not the case. Our jobs get to be an expression of our identity, not the other way around. Especially when our identities are rooted in Christ, we gain the freedom to explore new paths without fear.
Step 3: Look for God’s Patterns of Preparation
Mary realized that her teaching experience, love for music, and passion for nurturing others were all pointing her toward KinderMusik: “Every time I prayed, it all kept pointing back to KinderMusic. God had been weaving this quilt of experiences my whole life to prepare me for this.”
Your past is not wasted. Every job, hobby, and challenge has equipped you for what’s next.
Step 4: Embrace Discomfort as a Part of Growth
Starting something new later in life can feel intimidating, but discomfort is usually a sign of growth. As Mary’s pastor once said: “You can’t grow and stay comfortable at the same time. If you’re going to grow, you have to let God refine you.”
Mary leaned into the challenge even when it meant stepping into unfamiliar territory. Today, she’s helping children and parents build lifelong bonds through music.
Step 5: Surrender Your Plans and Trust God’s Provision
Mary could have let her fear of finances, failure, or “wasted years” hold her back. Instead, she surrendered everything to God.
Mary said: “Lord, here’s everything – my finances, my fears, my future. This isn’t my money; it’s Yours. These aren’t my plans, they’re Yours.’ And He provided.”
God’s plans for you haven’t expired. If He’s stirring your heart for something new, it’s because He’s still writing your story. So don’t be afraid, and trust God with everything, just like Mary did.
Schedule a free call with us
It’s not too late to change careers, but if you’re finding it hard to take the first step, it all starts with one simple yes. Book a call with us today, and who knows? You could be sharing your own success story, just like Mary, in the next 3 or 6 months. Don’t wait, your next chapter starts here!
