Boomer of the Week: Jennifer WrightNew Zealand

The stories of personal transformation that we are sharing with you each week have been written by members of our Boomers TV community. They are generously sharing their journey with us to offer hope and inspiration.

This week, we introduce you to Jennifer Wright. Originally from Indiana, Jenn now calls New Zealand home.



Jennifer Wright

Jennifer Wright experienced a “female midlife crisis”…
I had been divorced since 1980. I had spent a great deal of my energy on creating security and consistency for my children as a single parent. When I reached midlife, I knew that I had been greatly successful both in raising my children and in my career. Then a good friend was diagnosed with cancer. I started noticing more people closer to my age with "situations of health or otherwise" which would mean they would not make their golden years. I entered a very strange time of anger at being blind to the fact that there were no guarantees....I became acutely aware that I had not "found myself" in the 70's, that I was not getting any younger, and that I had some "unlived life".

Midlife Adventures

In 1993 I came to New Zealand as a part of my job. I was recruiting occupational therapists in NZ and Australia to come to the US to work. What I remember is this incredible feeling of being "at home"..that I felt I had returned somehow to a "time of my childhood" where time went slower, people were not in such a hurry and most of all, consumption was not a way of life.....and when I flew out of Auckland, I distinctly remember thinking, "I will be back". Now, this is really strange as I always lived within a 60 mile radius of where I was born. I traveled a great deal but always "longed" to come home.

At the age of 47, I made the move to Dunedin, New Zealand. This move to New Zealand was very out of character for me and it triggered mixed reactions from my family and friends. My children supported me wholeheartedly. They realized that I had spent a great deal of my life supporting them, and putting my life on hold. (This I never regretted, as I felt that this was my role as a mother). While they knew they would miss me, they were both on their own path of independence. In the end, they were able to create a different sort independence of their own without me so close. They have also witnessed me grow and realize my own potential. I have always tried to give them a message, "this is your one life...act like it matters!" Conversely, my parents and siblings still do not understand. In their eyes, I have abandoned them. The biggest loss of all was that of my best friend, who also felt abandoned and decided she could no longer be my friend. On the other hand, I met and married the love of my life, here in New Zealand, at the age of 51. He is from Holland and left Europe for similar reasons that I left the States.

No safety net

When I arrived in New Zealand, I knew no one. I did have some contact with the University via emails. I remember that after the first couple of weeks of living "as a tourist" , enjoying the quiet, and no phone ringing, that I got a bit scared. I had no social contacts! The reality of being far away hit me! I clearly remember thinking, "if I want something different, I need to do something different" At home in Indianapls, the phone would ring all the time and I had to do "nothing' to create social opportunities, etc. Now, I had to step out of my comfort zone...Not easy!

Becoming a local

I found a church in my neighborhood and volunteered for various duties, I joined a singles organization, and I joined a women's service organization...all with the idea of becoming part of community and getting to know people.
My satiety net when I left the States was this: What is the worse that can happen? I don't like it, and I have to come back. This means I have use my return airfare, pay for shipment of my goods (500 lbs. is what I arrived with), and various other details...and swallow my pride and face friends/family who said, "I told you so...you are crazy!"

Down to business

Part of my plan to find my authentic self was to use my experiences as an occupational therapist and adventurer to create a life-changing program for mid-life women. I began a coaching company for this in 2001 and offer tools and resources to Boomer women. Today, I also lead adventures on empowering journeys through New Zealand. The absolute best part of running these adventures is witnessing women getting in touch with themselves, recognizing strengths they never knew existed, "firing" their inner critic, and emerging "changed", empowered and ready to re-create/rewrite their own story. Witnessing the tears and the laughter as women let go, lighten up, and find their authenticity, is humbling as well as inspiring.

Jenn defines “heroine”

I define a heroine as the protagonist of her own life story. What that means for a woman in midlife is connecting with the wisdom she's acquired through her life experience, getting in touch with her desires and dreams, and then living as if she mattered to herself and to the world – because she does.
Jenn can be reached at jenn@midlifeheroine.com