We recently wrapped up a multi-day mastermind session where we drilled into business strategy, personal purpose, and brand visibility. Amid the intense brainstorming, we decided to inject a little fun—and went to see the Barbie movie together. While we anticipated nostalgia and humor, we were blown away by the film’s deeper message around womanhood, self-discovery, and the permission to keep on dreaming—even as adults.

“Sometimes, we as female entrepreneurs lose sight of the ability to dream and be creative with what our life could be.” – Krystal

Midlife Is Not a Crisis—It’s an “Unraveling”

A key theme in our conversation was the idea that Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) hits a kind of existential crisis—one many of us recognize in midlife. Krystal referenced a powerful quote by Brené Brown, who calls midlife “an unraveling.” Instead of seeing midlife as a downfall, we can interpret it as the moment we become acutely aware of what isn’t working anymore—whether it’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, or living strictly by others’ expectations.

“Midlife is not a crisis. Midlife is an unraveling.” – Brené Brown

For Barbie, that unraveling includes unexpected thoughts of death and the messy realization that she might not be “perfect” after all. For us? It can look like juggling businesses, families, and an ever-present sense of guilt. The good news? This same unraveling can also spark profound growth.

The Mommy Guilt + Perfection Paradox

In the movie, America Ferrera’s character delivers a monologue about the impossible standards placed on women—be skinny but not too skinny, a leader but not too bossy, confident but not arrogant, a perfect mother but also self-actualized, and on and on. Sound familiar?

Many female entrepreneurs experience these dual pressures: we want to be present moms and successful business owners, but we also need to nurture our own dreams. The challenge is learning when to prioritize which role, knowing that we can’t be everything to everyone all of the time.

“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they have come.”

It’s a beautiful sentiment—and yet many of us aren’t ready to stand still. We want to blaze trails our daughters (and sons!) will be proud of. This can mean stepping away from family responsibilities occasionally, which triggers that pesky mommy guilt. But it also models perseverance and ambition.

Why Dreaming Big Matters

One of our biggest takeaways from the film is the validation that dreaming shouldn’t end after childhood. If Barbie can wrestle with existential questions and still come out the other side dreaming bigger, so can we!

“I think sometimes we, as female entrepreneurs, do lose sight of the ability to dream.” – Wendy

Dreaming reconnects us to our sense of possibility. Whether it’s finally launching that new offer, transitioning your career path, or dedicating time to passion projects, dreaming big fuels the risk-taking and creativity that move us forward.

The SAVOR Model: A Roadmap for Reclaiming Joy

In our mastermind, we revisited the SAVOUR model—Wendy’s approach to living life fully and intentionally, especially in midlife:

1. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

2. Align Passions and Purpose

3. Venture Under Your Own Power

4. Open Yourself Up to Connections and Community

5. Unwind With Self Care

6. Ritualize Gratitude and Celebration

Barbie’s crisis—and our own midlife crossroads—show why these steps matter. It’s easy to let guilt, external expectations, or fear keep us from venturing forward. But by aligning with purpose, building supportive communities (like masterminds!), and celebrating small wins, we ensure we don’t lose ourselves in the process.

Key Takeaways for Female Entrepreneurs

• Embrace the Unraveling: Midlife isn’t the end; it’s a wake-up call to shed old armor and step into new possibilities.

• Mommy Guilt Is Normal—But Don’t Let It Win: We can’t do everything 100% of the time. Learn to micro-prioritize and give yourself grace.

• Dream Boldly, Even Now: Childhood creativity isn’t just for kids. Envision the business, life, or pivot you truly want—then start mapping a path.

• Find Your SAVOR: Step out of your comfort zone, align your passion and purpose, move your body, connect with your squad, and celebrate milestones.

Ready to Embrace Your Next Chapter?

If Barbie can serve as a catalyst for rethinking your midlife journey, imagine what intentional coaching and a supportive community can do! At Serendipitous Rebel, we help female entrepreneurs reconnect with their purpose, pivot into new directions, and savor life’s next chapter—guilt-free.

• Listen to the Full Episode: Apple | Spotify

• Share Your Insights: We’d love to hear your thoughts! Comment below or tag us on social media.

• Next Steps: Craving more personalized guidance? Explore our coaching programs designed to help you align your business dreams with the life you want to lead.

Remember, it’s never too late to pivot, dream bigger, or “try on the Birkenstocks,” as the movie playfully suggests. Youare allowed to change, evolve, and continue striving for more—both as a mom and an entrepreneur. And just like Barbie, you might discover that the real adventure begins when you embrace the unknown.