Midlife Awakening: Creating a Miraculous Next Chapter

by Marianne Williamson

In this New York Times bestseller, a popular spiritual teacher and thought leader shows you that menopause isn’t an ending—it’s an opportunity for a powerful new beginning.

Originally published as The Age of Miracles, the book now has new material written by the author.

There are times in life when one phase ends and another begins. In Midlife Awakening, our post-menopausal years are described as a "second puberty"—a time when an era of our selfhood gives way to something new.

This new chapter need not indicate decline. It can, in fact, be a time of spiritual awakening. While physical age and societal prejudices can form an emotional undertow for all of us, best-selling author Marianne Williamson guides toward the psychological power to counter that.

Blending soulful insight with practical wisdom, Williamson explores the emotional, spiritual, and psychological shifts that occur in midlife. Rooted in timeless truths, her insightful guidance will help

Let go what is no longer yours, so you can receive the gifts that are only yours now. Navigate the changing dynamics of age, so you can find your grounding in those things that do not change.Learn to forgive the past and embrace new opportunities for the future.Discover the growing momentum towards redefining midlife in the modern era.
For those in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, this is a compassionate and uplifting companion through the ""new midlife"—a stage filled with unrecognized potential and untapped vitality. Whether you're feeling invisible, lost, or simply ready to reconnect with yourself at a time of change, this book will help you find strength in your softness, clarity in your chaos, and the courage to step fully into the woman you were always meant to be.

In the words of Emily Dickinson, "We turn not older with years but newer every day."

Your youth may be behind you, but your greatest power is only beginning to emerge.

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed lecturer, activist, and author with six New York Times bestsellers. Her books include Tears to Triumph, A Return to Love, A Year of Miracles, The Law of Divine Compensation, The Gift of Change, The Age of Miracles, Everyday Grace, A Woman's Worth, Illuminata, and A Course in Weight Loss. She has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah and Good Morning America.

Reviews

[Lauren Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of the review.

Marianne. My mentor recommended her to me when I was in college. Some of her stuff speaks to me, some of it doesn’t. It’s so cool to hear her talking about mid life as I get ready to enter it. She takes some minor digs at younger generations for aging a bit slowly. Her writing is poetic and practical as always.
I’m not nearly as spiritual as used to be reading this book. But, I understand her mention of God/Source.

In her usual way, she offers advice in a way that feels practical most of the time. The prayers can feel a little lofty, but the sentiment is there. I enjoyed the fact that she doesn’t romanticize age nor does she seem to be growing in fear or cowering. The book encourages the reader to meet aging squarely, face to face. It’s a great book for anyone in middle age or on their way to being in middle age. No need top stop, just reframe things.

Cons:

While some parts of the book are pretty well written, the book gets is a little victim blamey.

The book gloss over childhood trauma. Trauma can last a lifetime. You can’t just get over a deep trauma. It’s one of those triggers that may put others off from this book. As a reminder, you don’t have to forgive if you don’t want do. Things I will not forgive: racism, homophobia, assault, domestic violence, CSA, or white supremacy. Age has shown me, not all things are worth forgiving.

This book drones on a lot about the loss of motherhood and the loss of the ability to become a mother. I found this a little strange. As not everyone wants to be a mother, nor will all of the people that read her book be AFAB.

All in all it’s pretty good. I had to ignore the parts that didn’t speak to me, that’s more of a reflection of me than the author.

[Doc Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point in my life, Midlife Awakening is just the kind of motivational book I needed. Marianne Williamson captures the essence of navigating midlife transitions; those times when everything appears to change all at once.
As women, we must deal with the realities of having grown children, changing bodies during menopause and perimenopause, and the psychological burden of questioning whether we have "arrived" at our purpose. When life doesn't turn out the way we had anticipated, disillusionment frequently sets in. Have we been unsuccessful? Williamson emphasizes that there is no deadline for fulfillment and that destiny has no expiration date.
"We can choose to die to who we've been until now and stand in the light of a new sense of self," she says in a way that is both freeing and grounding. This message struck a deep chord with me. Williamson reinterprets midlife as a potent awakening; an opportunity to rethink identity, welcome change, and embark on a new purpose, instead of an end.
Anyone struggling with the burden of change will find solace in this book. It's a call to recover joy, wisdom, and self-compassion rather than only offering encouragement. Thanks, Net Galley and Penguin Random House, for the ALC.
#NetGalley #MidlifeAwakening

[Tahni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we're young, we're powerful in a physical sense. The strength of youth is not earned so much as given to you as a gift from nature. It serves a role that belongs specifically to the young to procreate and build external structures that support material life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'As we grow old, the beauty steals inward.' And so does ours, but we're responsible for making it visible. We can still be beautiful but in a different kind of way. The beauty of age isn't simply given to us as it was in our youth - it has to be earned and it's often earned as much through suffering as through joy. Our failures, as well as our successes, if processed and alchemized into the stuff of true character, can ultimately strengthen rather than weaken us. Our physical muscles cannot carry the weight of the world's emotional pain. Only spiritual musculature often built to accumulated repetitions of heartache can do that.

This is an inspiring and empowering audiobook. I've come away with many quotes and ideas like above that I'll keep with me on my journey through my 40s and 50s. I'll also check out more from Williamson. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Hay House LLC, Netgalley and author Marianne Williamson for this audiobook to honestly review. It’s now available.

[Lorena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t what I was hoping for. Some of the wisdom Marianne shares is fine, but most of it I have already figured out for myself. I was frustrated by how much her advice relies on trust in God. I also disagreed with some of her views, which is fine, but I was deeply offended at her assurance that menopausal women regret no longer being able to have children and that those of us who chose not to have children “were stupid.” She might have her own regrets, but she shouldn’t project those regrets onto the rest of us.

I’m sure some people will enjoy this book, but I can’t recommend it. I will say that the audiobook was well produced. Marianne does a fine job narrating in her soothing voice.

I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

[Greg Hawod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midlife Awakening hit me at the right time. Many of the concepts in this book resonated with me, especially now that I’m at a point in my life where looking back at everything I’ve done brings a strange mix of pride, regret, hope, and uncertainty.

What I appreciated most is how Marianne Williamson frames midlife not as a crisis, but as a kind of spiritual reset—an invitation to slow down, get honest with yourself, and realign with what truly matters. Some chapters felt like gentle reminders, others like a nudge I didn’t realize I needed.

It’s not a perfect book, but it’s comforting, reflective, and surprisingly grounding. I walked away feeling a little lighter and a little braver about the second half of life.

[Women Are Not Okay Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received my ARC copy of Midlife Awakening as an audiobook which was narrated by the author.
Midlife Awakening is a revised version of the authors previous book The Age of Miracles published in 2008. The author discusses how menopause and midlife can not only bring havoc in a woman’s life, but also clarity. Finding purpose and grounding is something that many women are needing in midlife. The book uses religion to back up the points the author makes, so be aware of that if you are wanting to read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Hay House for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read for women who are going through midlife. I think it would good for adult children to read this to help understanding their mothers and what they go through during this time. Can explain many things. It can also help them to understand what they will go through and their wives. It’s very helpful to understand that what one goes through during this time a know it’s normal. Loved this book!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book for women experiencing physical and emotional midlife symptoms, and a much needed reminder of how remaining positive can be instrumental in our journey through this time in our life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt like a book found you at exactly the right time?

This one came into my life at the perfect moment. As you know, I just turned fifty, and the message of this book was exactly what I needed. Every reflection, every sentence resonated with me in the most beautiful way.

I loved every word — it was healing, grounding, and liberating.

[Emma Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

unfortunately this book just wasn't for me. I found some parts interesting but most of it I already knew of had been through. I'm not a very religious person so all the mention of God kind of put me off.

[Christine Hiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just read the right book when you need it...Marianne Williamson is a gem and reminded me how important it is to remain positive and to spread light and love, even in these dark times.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Meditations about midlife. Empowering, motivational, spiritual view of the maturing of women.

Thanks to netgalley for the copy for review.