042 - The Second Act, or The Middle of the Road

“We’ve got wiggles!” This episode of the Bettys Podcast contains some spoilers . . . for The Fugitive (1993). And some for season one of Succession (watch on HoboMax here, rated TV-MA for lots of language and mature content), and for season one of Shrinking (watch on AppleTV here, rated TV-MA for language and a lil’ bit of nudity). Be careful what you watch, though, because it can really affect your headspace!

 

Mary references a Wikipedia article about the Three-Act Structure for many films, and uses The Fugitive as an example. The first act is the exposition–world building, set-up, and an introduction to the characters. The second act is the rising action, including confrontation and conflict, and also where most of the character-development happens. The third act is the climax, the “big fight at the end,” and the resolution of the story. Mary is fascinated by Midlife, and talks about it kind-of within this structure. In talking about the second act, Lexy says that you’re gonna be hurt, but it’s gonna be awesome.

 

We reference an article written by Mary’s best friend (though she doesn’t know it yet), our Queen Brené Brown, entitled The Midlife Unraveling. This article is a great place to start, if you’re new to Brené’s work, and we highly recommend her book The Gifts of Imperfection.

 

This quote from the aforementioned article really hit us hard:

Midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:

I’m not screwing around. All of this pretending and performing—these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt—has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy and lovable, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through your veins. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.

 

Mary also reads a poem/song lyrics she wrote a few years ago, called “The Middle of the Road.” We are pretty sure that you, our Bettys and Jacks, are in the middle of your own roads, and that we’re all wanting community and belonging. And to get off of our perfectionistic high-horses. 

 

Our Better Betty Challenge for today is a doozy: figure out what the Universe is trying to say to you. She might not be as direct to you as she was to Brené Brown, but she needs you to hear something. We hope we can all listen with an open heart as we walk along the middle of our own roads, and that our second acts may be full of discoveries, challenges, and that beautiful development of character that makes life so meaningful and rich. 

 

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We are so grateful to be walking on this road with you, and we love you more.