Reinvention After 40: My Story Of New Beginnings

What if midlife isn’t about settling down, but about starting over? In this personal and inspiring piece, Shruti Haksar shares her journey of reinvention at 42, proving that by embracing vulnerability and authenticity, you can find a new purpose, a new community, and a whole lot of joy. It’s time to start.

When I first posted a raw, unfiltered photo on Instagram, I honestly thought it would sink into the endless ocean of glittering, fast-paced content created by women half my age. People often paint social media as a young person’s playground, where filters and trends rule the day. 

It took me around 2 years to find my footing in this game. And yes, it is just that, a game.

Most people take it very seriously, many earn a lot from it, but ultimately, I know it’s ephemeral, fleeting and can change 180-degrees in a moment.

But, instead of being ignored, I found myself in conversations with people across the world – some my age, some far younger – who were curious about my adoption journey, my silver hair, my travels, and yes, my saris. That’s when I realised something powerful: midlife isn’t a time to fade into the background. It’s a time to reinvent.

At the time, 2020, I was at a crossroads. I had a new baby at home, the lockdown started, and I found myself at a standstill – I had already closed my baking business and my fitness routine was gone. So, I just started writing about what I knew – saris, babies and grey hair. 

‘I was 42 years old and trying to do something new.’

We grow up believing that our 40s and 50s are the years of settling down. Stability, predictability, routine – these words are supposed to define us. Reinvention is often seen as a luxury for the young. But the truth is, reinvention happens in every season of life. For me, it came in ways I never expected: becoming an adoptive parent, stepping into the role of a storyteller, and opening myself up to the vulnerable, sometimes intimidating world of social media. I have written about stuff that happened to me that deserves to be discussed in therapy! But this was therapy for me. I had an outlet!

That outlet led to so much more. I got modelling assignments, brand deals, my passion for photography, my own saree brand, and I made friends. Me! A complete introvert and a wallflower made friends on the internet! 

I found my best friend through Instagram. Sounds like a phishing scam, I know! But I took a leap of faith, met her all the way in Dubai, stayed at her place and we became a part of each other’s lives. I believe that we were meant to connect, but that is a story for another day.

Scrolling through Instagram, it’s easy to feel the weight of competition. The flawless young influencers, the polished videos, the trends that move at lightning speed – at first, I wondered if my voice even belonged there. But in any profession, I have always believed that there is room for everyone. 

I don’t offer youth. I offer something else – perspective, authenticity, and lived experience. While a twenty-year-old might post about the newest sari drape style, I can share the story of wearing my grandmother’s sari in a foreign country and the conversations it sparked with strangers. When I talk about adoption, I’m not offering abstract advice – I’m sharing a real, messy, beautiful journey of becoming a parent later in life.

This isn’t a competition. It’s contribution. And contribution is what keeps content meaningful.

One of the most surprising parts of my Instagram journey has been the younger audience that engages with my content. They ask about saris, adoption, about the courage to start fresh at 40. Some message me saying they never thought of midlife as a place of possibility until they saw my posts.

A closing thought

When I look back, I smile at how hesitant I was to press “post” on that first picture. That single act opened a door to new identities and new connections, far beyond what I could have planned.

So, my message to anyone reading this is simply, Start. 

Start somewhere and start now. 

You never know what might click, who might click and where you will be in a year.

Shruti is a mom of 2, does not stop talking about adoption, is an accidental influencer and now runs a small business selling sarees, loves photography and travel. You can follow her on her instagram page, ravishing_rambles, here.