Fired at 50… What They Don’t Tell You About Starting Over

Hi, I’m April from April On Her Own ~ Later In Life. I made a video sharing the raw story of being fired in my early 50s and how that moment — which felt like the end of the world — became the push I needed to build a life on my terms. Below is the fuller version of that story and the practical lessons I pulled from it for anyone facing job loss, career change in midlife, or the fear of starting over.

Click Here To Watch This Full Video

How I got to that moment

I’d been a mortgage broker for years, then took a year off because I got really sick. By the time my employment insurance and savings were almost gone, I needed a job fast. A small brokerage near my home offered a salaried position with benefits — a lifeline after living in a commission-only world. I took it even though I’d rather be self-employed.

Within a week the boss sat in my office and told me, “Michelle and I have prayed on it… we’re giving you the extra $10,000.” It sounded like vindication. For a while I pushed through, but the office was one of the most toxic, cult-like environments I’ve ever seen.

What made the workplace toxic

It wasn’t one awful event — it was a slow erosion of boundaries. Hiring happened through church networks, staff were expected to be friends off the clock (barbecues and dinners hosted by the boss were “team” events), and ideas I brought to the table were presented back to me as if they were his. One coworker was openly rude and offensive. I felt pressured to “play along” and increasingly withdrew into my office to get work done.

When I suggested hiring administrative help instead of more brokers (we needed help with paperwork), the boss did hire admins — and then trained them to be brokers, effectively replacing me while I was still there. That was the setup for what came next.

The firing — and the emotional shock

One morning he closed the door, looked at me, and said, “We’ve prayed on it again… I think we’re done. I think you need to go.” I was still producing results. I was shocked, angry, humiliated. I grabbed my things, left, and for a few days I felt like my whole world had collapsed.

"You firing me was the best thing that ever happened to me."

That’s what I told him when I saw him again a year later. But at the time, fear of being broke, too old, and facing an uncertain future hit hard.

Why that firing didn’t sink me — it launched me

Here’s the truth that they don’t tell you: sometimes losing the job you thought you needed forces you to finally do what you’d been avoiding. I’d been quietly learning online skills and dreaming about building income that didn’t rely on someone else’s approval. The firing forced me into action.

Within weeks I started freelancing. Within about six weeks I was working full-time online, free from office politics and the “cult” atmosphere. I had to hustle, make quick decisions, and execute — and I did. That momentum changed everything.

Practical steps I took (and you can too)

• Allow the emotions, then decide: Rage, humiliation, grief are normal. Give them a moment, then make a plan.

• Inventory your skills and assets: I had years of mortgage experience, a client database, a credit repair program I’d built. Figure out what you own that can be repurposed.

• Learn fast, act faster: I’d already been learning online skills. Use free resources, short courses, and mentorship to get marketable quickly.

• Start small — freelance or consult: Contract work can replace income faster than waiting for the “perfect” job.

• Focus on services you can deliver immediately: My experience meant I could help clients right away; you likely can too.

• Build an online presence: A simple website, a LinkedIn profile, and a willingness to ask for work go a long way.

• Protect your finances: Rebuild emergency savings as you stabilize; cut expenses temporarily while your income is coming back.

• Guard your time and energy: Avoid toxic situations and people who drain you — you're rebuilding, and your energy is currency.

Mindset lessons for starting over in midlife

Being fired at 50 felt like a personal failure at first, but mindset made the difference. These helped me pivot:

• Reframe the loss: See it as an unwanted nudge toward something better, not a final verdict on your value.

• Permission to choose freedom: I’d always preferred being my own boss. Losing the job gave me permission to pursue that choice seriously.

• Small wins build momentum: Celebrate each client, each invoice, each day you worked for yourself.

• Community matters: Find or build a group of women or peers who are also shaping new lives. I run a free Patreon community that became a lifeline for me and others.

For anyone afraid of being "too old" to start over

Age is not a wall — it’s an advantage. You have experience, patterns that work, and contacts. You also have less tolerance for nonsense. Use that clarity. If you’re worried about financial stability, prioritize short-term income (freelancing, consulting, part-time work) while you build longer-term projects.

Final thoughts — your worst day can be a doorway

Getting fired felt like the worst thing possible. In reality, it was the catalyst I needed. It pushed me to stop planning with a safety net and start building the life I wanted: no boss, no politics, no cult-like expectations — just the freedom to be my own boss.

If you’re in the middle of this, know you’re not alone. Take the emotional hit, then take action. Inventory your skills, sell what you can do now, learn what you need to earn more, and protect your energy. A closed door can be the beginning of a different, richer life.

If you want more practical step-by-step help or to connect with other women reinventing their lives later in life, join our free Patreon community at patreon.com/AprilandLupita or visit my site at aprilcorbett.com. I’d love to support you as you build a life you love.

Let’s age well, together.

For more tips and resources, check out:

Supportive Community & Connect on Patreon – Join my Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, live calls, and bonus resources made for women 50+

Create More Income with a Side Hustle – Discover simple ways to lower stress and build a life you love with a solid side hustle.

Subscribe on YouTube – Get weekly tips, encouragement, and real talk about health, solo living, and saving money after 50.