Are you fifty something like I am? I know right … how did we get here so fast? Just 5 minutes ago I was 35! Where have those years gone?
On my 50th birthday one of my sisters gave me a little wee book titled ‘Grown-Up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson. Guided by this book, I’m planning on a series of posts, for those of us in our 50’s or those of you approaching your 50’s, around the following topics:
- BEAUTY
- WARDROBE
- BODY
- HEALTH
- LIVING
There will be several posts for each of the topic areas above. Here’s what Pamela Robson says in the preface of her book:
Fifty something? You’re in your prime. The kids are off your hands – well, almost.
You know what you want out of life – well, almost. You’re at the top of your career
and enjoying it – mostly. You have a wisdom born of experience.
And you’re still looking pretty hot!
For the first time in your life you feel in control. You aspire to make the best of yourself and your future.
You want to make the most of your mature beauty. Birthdays may be inevitable, but looking older than you feel
doesn’t have to be. With knowledge and lifestyle changes, you can actually feel and look better at 50 than you did at 30.
It’s an empowering evolution.
This is the decade to take stock, and to set in place good practices and goals that will carry you,
happy and healthy, into your 60’s.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PAMELA’S WORDS ABOVE? IS THIS YOU?
IS THIS PARTLY YOU?
I think this is a very opportunistic time of life – to finally have some time for yourself – time to look after yourself better – time to rediscover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what makes you happy. Personally I still have two kidults living at home and though my daughter has moved out, I don’t stop worrying about her even though she’s a smart and sensible girl. I’ve left my career – a choice that was best for me and not regretted. Though I’ve found things I enjoy doing, I’m not earning a living – a thing I’m still wrangling with. What, how, why, when, if – – still not sure on many things. I agree wholeheartedly that this is the decade to take stock and to set in place good practices and goals to keep you happy and healthy.
Join me as I work my way through Pamela’s book sharing her thoughts and those of my own in a series of ‘The Gorgeous 50’s’ posts.
Before I go, let’s finish off this post with a few quotes about getting older that I came across and liked. You do know I enjoy a good quote, don’t you?!
“I love getting older. My understanding deepens. I can see what connects. I can weave stories of experience and apply them. I can integrate the lessons. Things simply become more and more fascinating. Beauty reveals itself in thousands of forms.” – Victoria Erickson
“The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realise how much nonsense you have wasted time on.” – author unknown
“Women always try to tame themselves as they get older, but the ones who look best are often a bit wilder.” – Miuccia Prada
Ciao for now
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
32 Comments
I will really look forward to this series Min. When I get together with my oldest and best friends I look at them and still see them as 15 year olds. Come to think of it this is often how we behave when we are all together! Despite it taking a bit longer to unfold my legs if I’ve been sitting cross-legged for too long, I essentially feel the same as I did 30 years ago. I think our generation is aging much better than that of our mothers and grandmothers who seemed to look and dress ‘old’ in their 40s. I agree with Pamela’s quote, and feel that I’m come into my own in so many ways in my 50s.
I still look at my friends the same as always too Jo. They don’t look older to me even though I know they are, as I am also. It’s funny that, isn’t it? My mother says the same about her friends – all now in their 70’s. I think you’re right in saying that our generation seems to be fairing better then generations of the past. My mother for instance seems so much younger than her own mother did at the same age. I still feel the same inside as I did in my 30’s, however some of my priorities and interests have changed. I no longer like noisy clubs for instance! lol I think women of our generation are still sassy and sexy into their 50’s and 60’s and even 70’s and dress so cool (there is no room for frumpy this day and age!). 🙂 xo
I love that last quote. I say get wilder, not tamer! (Whatever wild looks like for you.)
Totally agree! There always been a bit of wild hippy inside of me! lol
I agree with Pamela Robson. What a time to be alive!
Yes! It’s a fabulous time of self discovery and time for ourselves again! Yay! 🙂 xo
I think I often struggle to relate to others my age(ish) because I’ve always been single and don’t have kids. In reality I was still trying to get pregnant into my early and mid 40s and really only started thinking about dating in my mid 30s so I always felt ‘behind’ others my age.
Having said that, I guess most people my age have had their kids leave home so usually have free time again and some are (again) single…
I can understand your struggle to relate. You may not have the empty nest thing happening or extra work of having a houseful to feed and wash for and all that stuff BUT you’re still in the same age group so there’s loads of other stuff you’d still have in common. The years of gathered wisdom, the ability to now see what is important and what is not, the realisation of the importance of understanding yourself and what you need to feel balanced, happy and content, the dwindling care factor about pleasing others all the time or worrying about what other people think – stuff like that! Still a kindrid spirit Deb! 😉 xo
I’m not sure that for “the first time in my life I feel in control” completely yet – but I’m definitely working on it. Each time I think I have my ducks in a row they tend to waddle off or get run over by a truck! Still, being in my 50’s means I have enough life experience to be able to dust myself off and look for a silver lining. Your series sounds like fun Min and I’ll be following along.
I’m not completely in control either LOL but like you – I’m working on it! I hope you find my series fun and interesting Leanne. Thank you for following along – I appreciate it! 🙂 xo
I love the notion of your 50s setting you up for your 60s (which is where I am). I think it is a great concept and there is so much to be said for having more confidence (but no not necessarily feeling in control). Enjoy your 50s and look forward to your 60s because they are truly awesome (I know ;-))
I love the notion too Jan and totally agree with it! Thank you for telling me (and ‘us’) that the 60’s are truly awesome – 7 years to go for me but I bet they whiz by in a flash! xo
I couldn’t agree more Min!! I love being this age, and I’m so glad that I’m not 20 or 30 anymore!! I feel like I have so many life experiences and can appreciate my life as it is!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I’m glad I’m not 20 or 30 anymore too Jodie. At 20 I was immature and off with the fairies. At 30, I was already a mother of twin boys and expecting another but still had much to learn and appreciate about life. My 40’s were stressful, with my late 40’s teaching me some very valuable lessons. My 50’s are turning out to be the most spiritual, self reflective and learning phases of my life. I am blessed to have had this time to focus on better health, balance and wellbeing for myself. 🙂 xo
I actually like being the age I am (60). I feel that I’ve finally become comfortable with myself and I’m not longer worried about what people think of me. I like the middle quote about “wasting time of nonsense when you’re young”. I can identify with this one! I’m looking to more pearls of wisdom from this book. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
I think it’s fabulous that at 60 you’re finally comfortable with yourself. I’m much closer to that these days but still not quite there. I’m working on it though! Hope you enjoy the series Kathy! 🙂 xo
Since I have turned 30, life has been a bit of a blur! I am almost 45, I don’t feel, except for the odd ache and pain, that old. I have noticed that I am so much more aware of my self and how I tick. I actually borrowed a book from the library yesterday called mid life, new life! Who even am I?
Feels like only the other day I was 45. Gee the years whizzed by so quickly and before I knew it I was 50 and now 53. Why is it that time seems to speed up the older you get, and was oh so slow when we were young. I agree that one of the benefits of getting older is that we finally start to understand ourselves a bit better and adjust our ways to suit. ‘Mid life, new life’ sounds like a very interesting book. Maybe I should read that one myself! 😉 xo
This is so relevant to me this year as I look forward to turning 50!
Ahhhh you’re not there yet! Lots of fun ahead of you Ingrid! I hope you enjoy the series. 🙂 xo
It’s partly me – except for the looking hot & feeling good. I’m 20-30 kgs overweight (according to the charts) & haven’t felt vital for some time. But inside, yeah, I get the rest. I turned 50 in March, & ignoring my health is no longer an option. I don’t care so much about looking hot – although it would be nice – as feeling able to do all the things I still want to do. #TeamLovinLife
I say ignore the charts (i.e. the BMI index) cos it’s ridiculous. According to those I’m supposed to be in the mid to high 40 kg’s. I would have to be starved to get that low. I was in the low 40 kg’s when I was in my teens and early 20’s but at 53 – not going to happen! BMI charts don’t consider our age and body shapes etc. I think you’re still looking hot Jo but yes you do want to feel good too! You’re on the right track with all the walking you’re doing. You’re right – we can’t ignore our health anymore. It all impacts on us big time so we need to be vigilant if we want to feel good and keep on doing all those things we want to do. xo
I couldn’t wait to turn 50 Min and I suddenly came alive. I started running and ran my first half marathon at 50, my first full marathon at 55 and I’m still running at 60 (next month). Age hasn’t mattered to me but I do think times have changed and women in their 50s are no longer old. They are vibrant and coming into their own. Enjoy life whatever age. Loved your post! #TeamLovinLife
Wow Sue – I couldn’t say that I couldn’t wait to turn 50. I accepted turning 50 but I would have liked to stay in my 40’s for longer!! You really are incredible with what you achieve with your running. I wish I could run. I’ve tried but I can’t do it – my body isn’t made for it. I will stay a brisk walker and I’m ok with that. I agree that women in their 50’s are a lot younger than previous generations. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂 xo
I’m creeping towards 50 at a rapid rate. I’ll be 48 this year so it’s not slowing down anytime soon. I plan to be just as fit and fabulous in my 50s and enjoy it as much as my 40s. 50 is the new 40 after all!
Oh you young thing!! 48 is actually when my life all changed. It was a very challenging time but turned out that it was all meant to happen really. It taught me some valuable lessons. 50 is the new 40 sounds good to me!! 😉 xo
Hi Min, I kinda relate but I only had kids in my 40s so no empty nest for me for ages.
Does Pamela talk about managing that situation (which I’m sure is more and more common nowadays) with blossoming into the 50s? I’d be keen to know. ?
I may not have an empty nest for ages either Veronica! Twin1 & Twin2 seem quite settled and they’ll both be 25 in November! We shall see! I don’t recall Pamela talking about managing being in your 50’s with young children but then it has been a while since I’ve read the book word for word. We will find out as I work my way through it again! 🙂 xo
It’d be good to know. I am sure I’m not the only person with young kids and nearing 50, especially as the trend to delay childbirth is probably at its highest with the average at 30 (ok so I pushed the envelope there), especially in Australia – http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/03/09/pregnancy-around-the-world-age-of-new-mums_n_9416064.html.
You’re not the only one. I know many others in their 40’s with young kids. One example is Anne from Domesblissity – two young kids and she is around my age I think!
Time sure does fly Min. I’m in my 50’s now too, but still have teenagers, so the kids being off our hands bit is still a few years away. I believe age is a state of mind. I look forward to your series too 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Those teens would keep you on your toes Lyndall! I still have two at home (both 24 going on 25) so no empty nest for me yet either! Hope you enjoy the series! 🙂 xo