Overview

• On her IMO podcast, Michelle Obama said this stage of life is the first time she feels completely free, with decisions based solely on her own desires.
• She explained that every choice she makes now is not about her husband’s career or her children’s needs but entirely about herself.
• Obama highlighted a persistent confidence gap, noting that young men often enjoy unearned certainty that women typically only claim later in life.
• She pointed to aging and the empty-nester phase as a liberation that allows women to focus on personal growth without parenting responsibilities.
• Through candid discussions and boundary setting—such as skipping expected public events—she models self-determination and encourages women to embrace their wisdom.