On a good day, I am fine. I still feel about 40, can do anything I want to do, well almost. But I realize the years are ticking away.
Sometimes when I wake up I go oh sh--, I am in the last 10 or 20 years of my life. I wonder what I have accomplished, how am I feeling and what is going to happen to me. I am sure we can all say the same thing, right.
But rather than wall up in despair, I have decided to have a new lease on life, even though I could be in denial and fooling myself.
No one cares how old I am, so why should I?
So, here are some of my thoughts.
We are never going to look young again and that is hard for many people. That is ok, it is an individual decision how you want to present yourself in this world. If it makes you feel good to get some facial work, Botox, etc, DO IT. A great person I volunteer with said, "I want to look as young as I feel inside". You go girl. If it is complimentary to how you feel, go ahead. There are no rules anymore as to what you do with your face or your body. Thank Demi Moore, Susan Sarandon, etc.
How you dress? The rules are a lot more flexible. I think most of us do not want to run around with our butt cheeks hanging out, but do not dress like an old fogey. If you do, people will treat you that way. Colors, style, jewelry, all with a sophisticated playfulness that makes you feel alive.
Your friends? Be with friends that make you feel alive, joyful. You may have to "clean out the closet", so to say, but don't be with people out of obligation that drag you down. Life is ticking away by the hours, minutes and they are precious.
Your partner? If he is giving into "old age blues", wake him up and try to enliven him with a joy for life. It is not your responsibility to fix him, but to help him, yes. Let him know that you are on a path to feeling better and bring him along. Ask him to do his part. If he won't, then find ways to enjoy your life, reap the rewards of being this age and feeling vitality.
Volunteer? Yes!!! You will meet other women with pulses that are wonderful. I don't think they do it out of obligation as much as just wanting to be around other women with like attitudes. I know that is why I volunteer.
Ypur health. Absolutely the most important thing! If you are not caring for yourself, it all crumbles and a lot of time it is swift and unforgiving. Get a health check up, pay attention to what your HCP says, and control your cholesterol levels, exercise, get the mammograms, pelvic exams and pay attention to you. It goes along with the package of feeling better.
Remember, you are in charge of you! You are the engineer of your own body so let's gett a plan, feel better and live your best life. You are worth it!