National Single Working Women’s Day (Aug 4) – Midlife, Single & Career‑Driven: Navigating change as your own anchor

Circle Monday 4 August 2025 on your calendar—it’s National Single Working Women’s Day, an uplifting celebration of women who are single, professionally active, and powering ahead solo. Though originally celebrated in the U.S., this day and the broader Single Working Women’s Week are growing in relevance across the UK, placing well‑deserved focus on the achievements and resilience of women charting fulfilling middle‑age careers on their own terms.

Trying my hand at mig welding

What’s National Single Working Women’s Day and Why Does It Matter?

First launched in 2006 by Barbara Payne, this unofficial day acknowledges that millions of working women—especially those who are unmarried or solo—contribute heavily to society, often in the face of stereotypes or discrimination. It sits within Single Working Women’s Week and aims to dismantle “singlism”—the bias that single people, particularly women, can’t lead satisfying, stable lives.

This day reminds us: being single and working full-time doesn’t signal less capability—it often amplifies independence, creativity, and grit.

Midlife & Career Pivots: Why Now?

Many women in their 40s, 50s and beyond are choosing to hit refresh. A recent Times article highlights thousands of over‑50s embarking on second careers. Driven by a desire for meaning, autonomy, and resilience in later life, midlife professionals are retraining, launching start‑ups, or moving into values-aligned fields.

Phoenix Insights found one third of people aged 45‑54 expect to change careers before retirement. In doing so, they infuse economies with fresh leadership and avoid workplace ageism, with many reporting wage growth and staying active well into their 60s The Times.

In the UK, the National Careers Service already supports adults—including over‑50s—in retraining, CV planning and exploring new sectors. And UK policy frameworks encourage mid‑life career review as a way to prevent premature exit from the labour market or later-life poverty GOV.UK.

You Are Your Own Anchor: A Midlife Anchor Kit

Here’s your toolkit to ride the waves of change with flair:

1. Self‑Assessment Toolkit – Ask: What energises me? What drains me? A coaching session or solo “MoT” (Ministry of Thought) can highlight where values and career misalign—and shine a light on what you truly want to build next.

2. Highlight Transferable Strengths – With decades of lived and professional experience—whether leadership, resilience, or strategic thinking—you have a powerhouse of transferable skills. Recognise them, package them, and use them.

3. Upskill Smartly – Whether through micro‑credentials, online platforms like LinkedIn Learning or community initiatives promoted by the National Careers Service, targeted upskilling helps bridge gaps and boost confidence.

4. Purposeful Networking – Tap into peer groups, professional communities, and UK-based platforms (e.g. Everywoman, which does have a cost attached, a very reasonable £90 per annum) to gain insight, inspiration, and mentors.

5. Pilot Projects – Freelance gigs, volunteer roles or creative side‑projects let you test out new directions with low stakes—and high clarity.

6. Midlife Pivot Design – Frame your next phase as creative design rather than reaction—to envision a career that fits your evolving values and not just societal expectation. UK policy encourages early planning, so you're ahead of the curve GOV.UK.

   
   

How to Celebrate Aug 4 in Style

Use Single Working Women’s Day as the moment to both honour and empower yourself:

• Enjoy some self‑care—treat yourself to a spa day, a long walk, or simply a journal‑filled morning to gather your thoughts.

• Virtual coffee or mini meet‑up with a few fellow solo professionals—share experiences, amplify wins, and make space for dream‑sharing.

• Create a “What‑If” list—a playful brainstorm of possible next steps. No limits, no judgement: just curiosity.

• Amplify a woman you admire via social media shout‑outs, tagging #SWWDUK or similar, to celebrate single working women across the UK.

  
  

Weaving the Stories Together

National Single Working Women’s Day is more than a casual hashtag—it’s an invitation. If you’re midlife, single and career-driven, this day aligns with your strengths: independence, perseverance and clarity. It supports the narrative that midlife isn’t decline—it’s a powerful phase of reinvention.

Whether you’re deep in a second career, realigning within your existing role, or plotting a creative shift, treat this mid‑summer pause as a moment of reflection, planning and gentle celebration.

Anchor Checklist: Your Personal Career Compass

STEP ACTION

Reflect Schedule a coaching chat or solo MoT session

Visualise Write your career “What‑If?” list

Upskill Identify 1–2 areas to build (e.g. digital, leadership)

Connect Talk to three professionals in roles you’re eyeing

Experiment Try a relevant side project or short freelance gig

Celebrate On 4 Aug, treat yourself or gather with others to honour your process

In Summary

Come 4 August 2025, take a moment to honour what being midlife, single and career‑driven truly means: wisdom, autonomy and intention. This day is your cue to pause, appreciate your resilience, and commit—even gently—to what's next. Whether that means a total pivot, a values-driven shift, or simply rediscovering joy in your current work—you are your own anchor. And midlife isn’t an end. It’s another beginning.

Here’s to navigating change solo, steady and splendid.

📚 References:

• Single Working Women’s Day, details and origins 

• Growing trend of second careers among UK midlifers, data and expert advice The Times

• The Phoenix Group 18 May 2023 

• UK policy emphasis on mid‑life career reviews to support longer careers GOV.UK

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