The Courage to Live Now
What does it really mean to live now—not just exist, not just plan for some distant “someday,” but truly inhabit your life in this moment? In Episode 19 of Third Act Unscripted, we unpacked this powerful question and explored what it looks like to live courageously in midlife and beyond.
Living courageously isn’t always about skydiving or selling everything to move across the world (though sometimes it is!). More often, it’s about those quieter moments when we decide to speak a truth we’ve been avoiding, let go of a belief we’ve outgrown, or admit to ourselves—and others—that we’ve changed.
For many of us in our third act, we’re realizing the biggest risk might be not taking one.
Why Courage Matters More Than Ever
As we shared in the episode, courage is often the missing link between stagnation and transformation. There comes a time in midlife when we begin to feel the quiet ache of dissonance—when our outer life no longer matches our inner truth. Sometimes we’ve outgrown a job, a relationship, or even a way of being. But we’re scared to say it out loud, especially if we’ve spent years—or decades—defending that version of ourselves.
And that’s where courage comes in.
It takes courage to be the outlier. To say, “I don’t believe that anymore.” To say, “I don’t want this anymore.” And even more importantly, to say, “I want something else.”
We talked about how we often don’t give ourselves permission to shift perspectives, particularly if we’ve declared those views or identities publicly. But if we’re honest, clinging to an old narrative that no longer fits is its own form of self-betrayal. The truth is, the person you are today deserves just as much attention and trust as the person you once were.
Flipping the Script
There’s a reason the episode is called The Courage to Live Now. Too many of us delay joy, delay truth, delay change in the name of safety. We convince ourselves that we can’t switch course because we’ve invested too much in the life we’ve built. But what if it’s actually more dangerous not to change?
One of the most powerful realizations we’ve had (and hear echoed back to us from the Third Act community) is this: You are allowed to change your mind.
We joked in the episode about putting that on a T-shirt, but we meant it. Whether it’s retiring earlier than planned, leaving a job, changing your parenting style, or choosing an entirely different lifestyle in your 50s or 60s, it’s all valid. You don’t need permission from anyone but yourself.
Redefining Risk in Midlife
We explored how risk looks different for everyone. For some, the courageous action is stepping into something new: applying for a job after years at home, moving to a new country, launching a creative project. For others, it’s stepping out of the grind: quitting a board seat, saying no to yet another volunteer role, or simply deciding to rest.
And yes, even rest is courageous—especially in a world that glorifies productivity.
We also talked about the illusion of control that keeps us locked in the same routines. Many of us stay in jobs we hate or keep financial plans that don’t reflect who we are anymore, all for the sake of a retirement that may or may not turn out how we imagined. While we’re not advocating recklessness, we are challenging the idea that the safest choice is always the best one.
When we live with courage, we create new momentum. We open ourselves up to joy, creativity, and connection—and those things are worth the risk.
From the Head to the Heart
Courage, at its root, comes from the Latin word cor, meaning heart. In Power vs. Force, David Hawkins identifies courage as the turning point in the energy spectrum—from contracting emotions like fear, shame, and guilt to expansive ones like love, joy, and peace.
That’s a big shift.
When we’re stuck in fear or obligation, our world shrinks. But when we take even one small courageous step, we unlock the potential for something new. We move from survival mode into possibility. And once we access that field of possibility, we start to see opportunities we couldn’t recognize before—because we’re no longer hiding from ourselves.
Real-Life Courage Looks Like…
We wanted to normalize that courage doesn’t always look bold from the outside. Sometimes, it’s:
Saying no to something that no longer fits.
Speaking a vulnerable truth in a yoga class.
Having an honest conversation with your partner about what retirement reallyfeels like.
Admitting that what once brought you joy now leaves you empty.
Trusting your intuition, even if it doesn’t make logical sense.
Letting yourself try something, fail, and try again.
We’ve been through all of it. And if you’re nodding along, so have you.
Money, Fear, and Freedom
No surprise—money came up. A lot. Because it’s one of the biggest drivers of fear in midlife.
We talked about how so many decisions we make are rooted in financial anxiety: “I have to stay in this job for 10 more years,” or “I can’t afford to stop now.” But we’ve also seen the magic that happens when we stop trying to control every penny and start trusting that things will work out.
It’s not about being irresponsible—it’s about aligning your energy with purpose, not panic.
And ironically, when we operate from courage instead of fear, money often does show up. Whether it’s an unexpected check, a lucky break, or a creative opportunity that leads to income, flow follows truth. When we spend out of alignment, it depletes us. When we invest in what truly matters, we often feel energized, not anxious.
Living Your Third Act on Purpose
This is the heart of it all.
Your third act is not just about coasting into retirement or living out someone else’s script. It’s about intentional reinvention. We’ve been gifted the wisdom and perspective of everything we’ve lived so far. Why wouldn’t we use that to create something that finally feels aligned?
The courage to live now means listening to your own knowing. Following your own joy. And refusing to sleepwalk through another year because you’re scared to shake things up.
You’re allowed to flip-flop. You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to say, I want more.
And you’re not alone. That’s why we created this podcast, and why we’re building the Party Pods community—because we need each other for the bold, messy, beautiful act of becoming.
Episode Recap
In this episode, we explore:
Why courage is the energetic turning point from fear to freedom
How changing your mind can be the most powerful move you make
What it looks like to stop doing what you “have” to do
Why playing it safe isn’t always safe
How even small, brave steps can unlock huge transformation
The role of money and energy when it comes to courageous living
Real-life examples of courage in action (including yoga stories and root canals 😅)
Resources
Key Takeaways
Courage isn’t just action—it’s permission.
You’re allowed to change your mind, your life, your entire direction.
Risk isn’t just for the young—midlife is the perfect time to take bold, aligned steps.
Fear keeps us small; courage expands what’s possible.
When we live with heart, life opens up.
Stay Connected
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Visit thirdactunscripted.com for more content, free resources, and to join our community.
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With Love,
-Annie & Katie