This past weekend, my husband and I watched A Complete Stranger. I’ll be honest—at first, I wasn’t interested. I’ve never been much of a Bob Dylan fan (his singing voice doesn’t exactly inspire me). But I was curious about the Oscar buzz around Timothée Chalamet. How could this young actor go from playing Paul Atreides in Dune to portraying a sulky folk singer and Nobel-winning poet?
The film surprised me. Chalamet was convincing. But what stayed with me wasn’t his performance—it was a line from Dylan’s song, It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding): “He not busy being born is busy dying.”
I’ve heard that line before. My husband, Mark, is a fan of Dylan. Yet, something hit differently this time.
Maybe it’s where I am in life. Maybe it’s where you are, too.
What Does It Mean to Be “Busy Being Born”?
That phrase echoed in my mind long after the credits rolled. I finally understood what it meant, at least, what it meant to me.
To be “busy being born” is to grow, evolve, and rediscover joy, curiosity, passion, and purpose. If we’re not doing that—if we’re not learning, creating, or seeking—then we begin to fade—not just physically but emotionally, spiritually, and energetically.
And that slow fading? That’s the dying I’m talking about.
The Midlife Moment No One Warned Us About
As women in midlife, we know this feeling well. Our bodies are changing, hormones shift, and the child-rearing years are behind us. And although we’re successful, accomplished, and often juggling more than ever, there’s still something missing.
We feel unfulfilled. Disconnected. A little lost.
You might look at your life and think: “I have everything I thought I wanted—so why do I feel so flat?”
It’s because you’ve been so busy holding everything together that you stopped nurturing the part of you that craves adventure, joy, connection, and purpose. You may have stopped being born.
Here’s the Truth: It’s Not Too Late
When we neglect ourselves—skipping movement, grabbing convenience foods, putting off the hobbies we once loved—we dim our light. Slowly, we drift from who we really are.
The spark fades. Weight creeps on—your energy dips. Cholesterol climbs. And worst of all… the voice inside that once whispered, “What if?” goes quiet.
Moods darken. We become short and resentful. Not because we’re bitter—but because we feel unseen, unheard, unexpressed.
How many midlife women do you know who seem quietly angry? I see it. And I feel it, too.
But here’s the good news: you can flip the script.
Be Busy Being Born Again
Reinvent yourself. Reclaim your joy. Redefine your purpose.
Get curious. Be bold. Say yes to things that light you up and no to things that drain you.
This isn’t about shirking responsibilities. It’s about realigning with what matters to you.
When you’re not “busy being born,” it can show up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. You may recognize yourself in a few of these:
- You wake up tired, even after a full night’s sleep
- You feel like you’re just going through the motions of life
- Food becomes comfort instead of nourishment
- Joyful activities feel like a chore—or you’ve forgotten what they are
- Weight gain and health issues sneak in, and motivation to address them feels low
- You’re more irritable or withdrawn than you used to be
- That little voice inside that once dreamed big now whispers, “Why bother?”
These aren’t signs of failure. They’re signs of a woman who’s overdue for a rebirth.
That’s the path I’ve taken. That’s what I help my clients do every day—to feel good in their bodies, to love themselves again, to move from burnout to boldness.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. You simply have to decide—it’s time.
Dylan’s words may have just sparked a midlife revolution.
Ready to Be Busy Being Born?
If this message resonates with you—if you’re ready to reclaim your spark—book a free strategy call with me. Let’s discuss how to rediscover yourself in this powerful phase of life.
Schedule a call, and let’s begin your revolution.
Because you deserve to feel vibrant, fulfilled, and joyfully alive—no matter your age.