EMBRACING CHANGE:THE STYLE EVOLUTION AFTER 40

I'm kicking off my 2025 STYLE COUCH series by sharing Genie Camilleri's story about change, emotions and of course her sense of style through midlife. Genie shares facing her fear of the unknown, not feeling enough and doing a complete 360 in her career.

We have all experienced at times that inner voice tapping you on the shoulder gently, sitting there and bugging the hell out of you or sometimes roaring so loud it's overwhelming. Genie has learnt to step into her power, trust her gut and finally tell that annoying voice to take a hike.

"I'm a bit sick of listening to my imposter voice to be honest, she has been with me for most of my life and I'm over it. Recently I have been telling her to SHUT UP!"

Q - ANGE: Have you ever felt invisible, not enough or suffered from imposter syndrome?

A- GENIE: Oh definitely! I came from a competitive sales environment in the media and real estate space, there is never a finish line and you kind of don’t want there to be one. Once you arrive at the destination, it’s like ok what’s next?! I think most high performing cultures and personalities are like this though, and I’ve come to believe it’s a strength - not being comfortable or wanting to settle, I love pushing myself. I don’t ever want to arrive at this point where I think ok, I know everything or am ‘ok’ with where I’m at, so I guess with that mindset is always going to come a sense of insecurity.

In saying that I think with your 40’s comes a stronger sense of self and knowing who you are, what you’re good at and where your skills will be best utilised and appreciated. I’m a bit sick of listening to my imposter voice if I'm honest, she's been with me for most of my life and I'm a bit over it.

Recently I've begun telling her to SHUT UP!

Q - ANGE: Tell us about your career transition into your 40’s

A - GENIE: As I entered into my 40's, I knew I had more to contribute and give to the world. I completed my 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training, and hello new world. Even if you have no desire to teach yoga, I recommend everyone completes some form of study in this space, you just get so much out of it! I began teaching with a beautiful studio in Sydney with a lovely Practitioner who gave me an opportunity as a new Teacher, thank you Sandra of Art of Flow. I soon found my voice as a Teacher and I loved it! Through that process, I came to learn I love community, and the platform it provides to form bonds and friendships. Coming together with others to do something we love is magic.

I guess I've had what some would call an unorthodox career. I left high school pre Facebook / Instagram era and was so lucky to have one of my best girlfriends mum refer me for an entry sales role with Peters Ice Cream, not long after it was taken over by Nestle. I knew that environment wasn't for me long term, but I couldn't have asked for a better corporate learning environment, and mentor / role model who had a huge impact on me both professionally and personally. I spent most of my 20's in this industry with various companies, before stopping to ask myself what I really wanted.

In my 30's I completed a Masters in Comms. with UTS and knew the Media / Journalism space was where I wanted to be. I was fortunate to land an Account Management role at the Domain Property Group, predominantly owned by Fairfax (now by Nine), and felt like I found my people and place in the working world. I stayed at Domain for 10yrs, learnt a tonne, made some wonderful friends (in colleagues and clients) and can't talk enough of the impact the people and company had on me. 

I imagine I'll have many more transitions and rebirths in my life ahead but, I believe the true beauty of midlife is having this innate sense of self.

Q - ANGE: What are the biggest hurdles of midlife and how has that impacted your style choices?

A- GENIE: I think my biggest hurdle with midlife has probably been in assessing where to next? It’s kind of like ok I did this in the first half and know who I am now, how do I want to apply all of that and make the second half really count, be meaningful and positively impact others. 

I found it challenging to tune out to the noise long enough to really hone in on that. Also coming to terms with my own mortality has been confronting. I used to tell my mum and older lady friends I was never going to age haha.

In terms of style and presentation I’m currently playing around with that. I came from a client facing corporate role in Sydney, into the wellness space on the Gold Coast, culturally and seasonally they probably couldn't be more different. My feet thank me daily for no longer cramming them into pointy heels but I definitely miss wearing my wing eyeliner, so I’m having a bit of fun at the moment with incorporating snippets of my old wardrobe with my active wear. 

@latelier_flow www.latelierflow.com