So far, my 50s are the best decade yet. For a long time I’d been in denial of getting older. Age 50 seemed light years away with plenty of living and achieving to accomplish before reaching that dreaded decade of my parents. My mother always told me that one day I’d get there and the only way I’d know would be to look in the mirror. In other words, I’d feel exactly the same inside, just the outside would change with the years. And you know what? She was right on both counts. Now that I’m facing the waning years of my 50s I still feel like 30 something, only happier and more at peace. Recognize this age-old adage by George Bernard Shaw?
“Youth is wasted on the young.” Now that I understand what it means, I couldn’t agree more!
When I was a kid, 50s was considered old age. And old people didn’t care about experimenting with life anymore. Their kids were grown, they’d become grandparents and life was spent in front of the TV or on the proverbial front porch swing.
That’s not even close to today’s reality. What is true is that traditional advertisers don’t think we count anymore after age 54. The sweet spot for TV advertisers is the demo 25 – 54. After that they think we don’t buy as much and when we do we gravitate toward the same habitual brands. Like kids do, they think we no longer experiment with life and products. Well, in truth, many of those media buyers are kids themselves – of course those are their prevailing viewpoints!
What IS reality is a renewed vibrance for life. And that includes experimentation of all kinds: hair, clothes, weight, adventure, relationships, jobs, hobbies, houses – you name it, we’re open to it. In most cases the kids are grown and have moved on with their own lives; we women are now free to rediscover ourselves. In my case there were no kids, just a life consuming career that involved moving around the country and growing in new jobs.
Now with no job that demands my attention, each day offers new discoveries. The stress has been lifted creating more room for free thinking and exploration. I’m happier, calmer, feel more love and offer it more generously. And the surprise is my new-found attitude that what people think about me doesn’t matter like it did during the first bout with my 30s. I’m now healthier and more physically fit, read whatever I want and become ensconced in activities that appeal to me. And I still feel sexy. Plus I’m wiser and smarter than I was 20 years ago. You know — “if I knew then what I know now…” kind of thing.
Most other women in their 50s feel the same way! Many of us have disposable income regardless of what those young media buyers think. And the smart advertisers are figuring it out. Why there are now websites dedicated to boomers and they’re filled with ads. Imagine that. We’re actually avid internet users!
I love my 50s and embrace the peeking onset of the next decade. Who knows – by then I may want to live in a green and purple house or maybe add some purple to my hair! Love that color!
How do you feel about this so-called middle period of life? Do share!
Have I Kissed My Drive Goodbye?
Posted in baby boomer, baby boomers, career, mid-life, profession, professional, retirement, Uncategorized, tagged baby boomer, baby boomers, boomer women, commentary, new life directions, observation, over 50, personal growth, retired professionals, self improvement on October 5, 2011| 6 Comments »
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Lately I’ve started writing much more than years past (have you noticed this blog?) It feels like the right creative outlet especially as I explore this new period in my life, Act Three.
Creative expression has always been a driving force for me. When I was a kid I dreamed of singing and dancing on Broadway – heck, I’ll say it, I wanted to be a star. My mother schlepped me to auditions all the time, each with the same heartbreaking result – CHORUS! Evidently my voice sounded great to me and had I been the casting director I’d have won the lead hands down. But – c’est la vie. As each heartbreak gave way to the next bout of courage and the next resounding NO THANKS I finally figured it out. My future wasn’t going to be on stage. Time to move on … and then I discovered… back stage!
Voila! Back stage became the perfect fit — stage manager, show producer – change to radio producer, on to TV producer, then into management, and on to departmental leadership. Once I set my new sights I started hearing yes yes yes yes, which is a lot more fun than a childhood filled with no’s.
A passion was ignited and my drive was born. I couldn’t get enough of work – it’s all I wanted and the only thing I did. Weekdays consisted of a minimum of 12 hour days and weekends were spent perusing magazines, newspapers, books or watching TV – all in search of the next great idea for a show or a promotion or a special or a series. And I never got tired of it until … I did. More than 30 years later.
Shockingly my drive has let me go. It no longer consumes my waking hours, nor does it deprive me of sleep. I’m blissfully free of its grasp. And I don’t miss nor mourn it. I’m enjoying the sense of freedom from the need to keep pushing.
Equally surprising is that my interest in making a creative contribution hasn’t waned. In fact it’s starting to blossom again. But it’s not associated with need to do. It’s more like inspired to do.
Is it possible that I’ve actually kissed my drive goodbye? I guess time will tell.
How about you? What drives you?
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