Eleanor Mills wrote in her compelling memoir and manifesto: There is much more to comepaints a portrait of midlife women that is miles away from the sad tale of decline into old womanhood. Instead, she has rewritten it as a powerful awakening – a well-earned maturity where women finally feel they can come into their own time, place and voice. It is part of a growing counter-narrative that pushes back against the often narrow and surprisingly persistent societal views that undervalue women in their third quarter post-menopause, the 25 years after age 50.

1. Women reach adulthood at 50

Mills argues that 50 is the age at which many women reach (or have reached) true adulthood. Not in the sense of age, but in the sense of newly affirmed identity, self-knowledge and purpose. This is not about remaining youthful and wrinkle-free. It is about developing a richer, more genuine, more authentic self. Women at this stage have often fulfilled many of the roles expected of them – caregiver, professional, partner – and find themselves at a crossroads where societal expectations diminish and disappear, making room for genuine self-exploration. Mills characterizes this as the time when women begin to ask themselves, often for the first time, “What do I do? I want?” instead of “What does everyone else need?”

In raw, touchingly vulnerable prose, she recounts her personal experience of being fired as a well-known and respected editor at The Times of London for 25 years, just as she turned 50. And she blends this autobiographical thread with extensive research from her fast-growing, UK-based NOON community of over-50 women, whom she calls “Queenagers.” The result is a refreshing profile of deep, intrinsic empowerment. The wisdom, wounds and experience accumulated over decades enable women to approach this new phase with a confidence that too often lacked in earlier years.

“It feels unreal,” she admits, “that four years after being fired from my important job at the Times of London, I’m back on the famous bestseller list with my book about reinvention in midlife! A true queenager fairytale.”

The book is filled with stories from a portrait gallery of middle-aged women who have reinvented themselves, found new careers, callings, relationships and communities, reinforcing the idea that reaching adulthood at 50 is about going beyond the scripts prescribed by society and daring to write your own story.

2. The secret lies in the becoming

The heart of There is much more to come is the author’s own exploration of what it means to “become.” Mills argues that the journey to midlife need not be a process of settling down, and invites readers to instead choose a path of continuous becoming – an ongoing evolution. The book will resonate with readers who feel that life’s possibilities are narrowing. Mills turns the tables, telling a series of stories that show that midlife is where the most profound forms of becoming open up.

The secret is to accept the multitude of changes that often occur (what Mills often refers to as the “cluster-f***” of midlife) as a predictable part of living a fulfilling life. Rather than resisting the physical, emotional, professional, and social changes that come with age, Mills encourages women to see them as opportunities for growth. This approach is refreshingly countercultural in a world obsessed with youth and stagnation. The idea that becoming never stops—that there is always more to discover, more to learn, and more to experience—is both liberating and inspiring.

Mills doesn’t shy away from challenges, darkness, and tears. She acknowledges the fears and insecurities, societal pressures, and inner doubts she, like many other women, faces. She describes her own in moving and brave detail. But through interviews, case studies, and her own determination to put one foot in front of the other, she suggests that those who embrace the process of becoming—who accept that they are always a work in progress—find a fullness and depth in life they might not have imagined before. This perspective of a heroine’s journey is especially encouraging as one enters the darkness of the midlife forest. Mills’ trumpet call is clear: There is no end to becoming, and only in continuous development lies true fulfillment.

3. What the world needs now

There is much more to come is more than a personal manifesto; it’s also a call to action. Mills argues that at this critical juncture, the world needs the wisdom, leadership and vision of middle-aged women more than ever. She gathers them together in her NOON community, which now spreads across the UK. The book makes a compelling case that women who have reached this stage bring unique and valuable perspectives. They are the ones who have seen and experienced enough to understand the complexities of the world, yet are dynamic, energetic and passionate enough to drive change. Look at all the women rising to leadership positions in Q3 – from Kamala Harris and Claudia Sheinbaum to the 80% of women on FORBES’ Most Powerful Women list who are over 50. Their time has come.

Mills says society has long undervalued the contributions of older women, often marginalizing them when they were just reaching the peak of their abilities. This book, like all of her works, seeks to change that narrative and urge women to step forward and take on roles that reflect their true potential. Whether in politics, business, the arts, or community engagement, Mills argues the world needs the maturity, empathy, and experience that middle-aged women offer.

At a time when leadership is often equated with aggression and youth, There is much more to come argues for a different kind of leadership – one based on collaboration, understanding and a long-term vision. Mills believes that women in midlife are uniquely positioned to lead in this way, bringing balance and wisdom to a world hungry for it. In this reading, midlife is not the end of the road, but women’s acceleration phase. Crucial decades at the peak of our powers – and our potential influence.

In There is much more to comeEleanor Mills has used her experienced journalistic pen to produce an unusually honest and insightful commentary on our view of midlife. By redefining midlife as a time of growth, purpose and leadership, she also offers a new narrative of ageing. For women entering or already in this phase, this is an essential guide to enjoying the fullness of the second half of life. Make no mistake, the best is yet to come.