When news broke last year that Meryl Streep and Don Gummer had quietly separated after more than 40 years of marriage, many people were stunned.

Four decades together.

A family built.
A life built.
And still… they chose to go their separate ways.

Stories like this are becoming more common than most people realize.

In fact, something significant has been happening in marriages over the last two decades. While overall divorce rates in the United States have declined since the 1980s, divorce among couples over 50 has surged.

The rate has doubled in the past 20 years, and today one in four divorces is considered a “grey divorce.”

There are stages in a woman’s life that can shake her identity to the core. Marriage, birth of her first child, when they leave home, a divorce, a death of a spouse and menopause, just to name a few.

When identity has such a shake up, it can throw us into a spiral of confusion. Who am I now?

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a woman over 40 with a spark for something big—maybe launching that business you’ve been dreaming about, writing the book that’s been tugging at your heart, or diving into a passion project that sets your soul on fire. Your kids are growing up, maybe even starting to leave the nest, and you’re wondering how to balance chasing your dreams while being the amazing mom and wife you’ve always been. Those thoughts like, “Am I neglecting my family? Can I really do this now?” might be creeping in. I get it, and I’m here to tell you: not only can you pursue your big dreams, but doing so can make your relationships even stronger—yes, even as your family dynamics shift.