I’m not going to talk about decorating today. It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes I feel the need to talk about something else. I recently read an article on WHEY WOMEN OF 40 AND 50 ARE THE NEW AGELESS GENERATION.
I found the concept and the discussion so intriguing, I wanted to bring it over here to my blog. The thing is I’m not 20 or 30. I’m over 40, enough said. But here’s the deal, I still feel very young. I love a lot of the same things my daughter does. We watch a lot of the same shows on Netflix. We love doing a lot of the same things, except she doesn’t like to decorate.
I don’t act ‘middle-aged’ or think ‘middle-aged.’ You probably don’t either. I still love vintage silver and dishes, but I use it all in a different way than my grandma did.
Check out today’s podcast
EPISODE 70 HOW TO ADD BOHO STYLE TO YOUR HOME
I have no plans to retire and become old. The point is I haven’t changed my life or my interests because I am older. I haven’t given up wearing jeans or cute clothes. I hang out a lot with people in their 20’s and 30’s. Actually I have friends all ages from 15 to 85. I like having friends that are a variety of ages.
The Telegraph article (I linked to it above) had some interesting points.
80% of 40+ women felt that “society’s assumptions about middle-aged women did not represent how they live their lives.”
More than 67% considered themselves to be at their peak.
59% “felt as vibrant and young as they ever have.”
US internet entrepreneur Gina Pell, 49, has coined the term Perennial to for this ‘ageless’ group of women. She says, “Perennials are ever-blooming, relevant people who know what’s happening in the world. We get involved, stay curious, mentor others, and are passionate, compassionate, creative, confident, collaborative, global-minded risk takers.”
The article was about women in their 40’s and 50’s, but to be fair, I think this extends to women older than that. I think the way women age has changed. You can feel young and think young at any age. I don’t think just because you are 45, 64, 87 or whatever that you need to take a back seat and start looking for an old folks’ home. This can still be your time.
91% of the women said that advertisers don’t understand them. That’s because a lot of advertising is directed at millennials. Do you feel it?
The point is that we have a younger attitude than our mother’s generation. This is not bashing them. I respect and admire my mom’s generation. It was a different time. I’m just saying, back in the day, people changed a lot as they aged. Now you don’t necessarily have to change. You can still have a young mindset. My mother-in-law when she was in her 80’s refused to go to the ‘old person’ Sunday School class. She saw herself as much younger than she was. I think that was good for her.
The article gets even more intriguing, because it quotes researchers who say, “people who feel old compared to others tend to age faster, and a major factor in this is the way they dress.”
Apparently I’m not the only one who has no interest in retiring. The article says the concept of retiring is becoming completely out of date.
What’s the point of all this? The point is that it’s never to late to be who you might have been. There’s no need to act like you are 20, or dress like you are 20. But by the same token, you don’t need to give up on fun and excitement just because of your age. If you are a ‘woman of a certain age’ don’t throw in the towel. Keep moving and enjoy life!
Amen sister! It sure helps to have so many good role models in life today. My dad is 78 and is still as spry as ever. He works hard in his yard, renovates, and he’s involved in multiple groups. We can reinvent ourselves whenever we choose but the most important thing is to exercise and learn constantly.
So true, so true. As they say, I am pushing 70 with a short stick and I wear jeans, Lucky brand are my favorite. My daughter is my best friend. We shop, go on adventures, go to the beach. She is a young 40 and I am a young 69. We play badmitten on the back lawn and I am still very competitive. I always played games and sports with my kids and now do it with my grandkids. My only problem with aging is when I look in the mirror. The person looking back at me does not look like me. ? I recently thought of letting my hair go gray but just couldn’t do it. Instead I painted my kitchen and dining room. Those 16 foot ceilings are a challenge but I can still go up and down that ladder with the best of them. I stear clear of folks that talk of being old and feeling old. Some are even younger than me. Exercise and eating right will keep you feeling younger. ?
Bravo Betty! We have such a better live if we aren’t defined by our age or weight.
Love it. I am right there with you!
Thanks for this post Anita. It helps to be reminded that what we do is important. Personally, I feel that because of age, we can contribute greatly to the world by our life experiences. It is so important to keep learning and pursuing new endeavors.
Preach!!!! I wholeheartedly subscribe to this way of thinking. I feel like I am really just getting started.
I understand completely. I have a few back issues that keep me pinned down sometimes but that’s it. My hair has turned completely silver but I’m not ready for the pasture. A few weeks ago, I was filling out a questionnaire for a well known company. I got thru the first name (only), region where I lived, then it ask for my age group which I stated. As soon as I did, I was bumped out of the questionnaire with a “thank you for ur input”! What input??? I wasn’t given a chance for input because of my age group!!! I felt totally dismissed!!! This is a well known company whose products I use and they don t want to hear from me because I’m in an age group of 60+!!! I think women in the age group of 40-60+ are perennial, vibrant and an asset to society and our culture in general. We deserve “NOT” to be dismissed because of our age group.
Diane, that’s dreadful. I absolutely agree! No one should be dismissed because they are over a certain age.
Yay! Thanks for including my age group in this post!
Well, I am nearly 70. Can’t believe it. I have lots of energy and am in excellent health. Have to thank my parents for excellent genes – we seem to age much more slowly than most people. I have always been a classic dresser so wearing “cute” clothes has never been my style.
Hubby and I have just sold our very large house to move into a smaller one. Not so much to “down size” but to provide capital for our next project – a house in France.
It’s a shame that society gives such value to “young people”. There was a time when those of us with experience, education and general wisdom were revered.
Something interesting to think about – most of the people running our country and our businesses are part of the generation that said, “Never trust anyone over 30.” Hmmm…
Smiles from Charlotte
Charlotte, so true!!! So exciting a home in France!! You GO GIRL!!! I agree too much focus on being young. I know so many fascinating people who have gray hair.
Loved this. I am 55, work full time outside the home and just started a blog a few months ago. I have not intention of ever retiring. Too many things to do in life.
Yay Pam, that’s awesome!
Yay Pam, that’s awesome!
We really are different than our grandmothers. No way I’m I going to wear a housedress and black oxfords. I retired from one job to take on a lifelong dream to create. I am not going to let my age dictate how to live.
Yeah Betty…me too. Can’t seem to want to go grey and I want to wallpaper a wall in my kitchen. I can do it at 71.
Enjoy decorating !
I will share your thoughts on my FB page! I turn 72 very, very soon & I want to continue to age gracefully. I am petite so I look younger than I am, but still I am proud of my age. So many of my family members have passed so young. I stay as fit as possible & want to be an example to my daughters who are 41 (almost 42) & just turned 40.
Ps 92:14 says “They will still yield fruit in old age, they shall be full of sap & very green.”
Green is my favorite color, so color me beautiful!
My mom has always told me to have friends of all ages…..most of mine are @ 10 years younger than I am. She says as your OLD friends die (and they do) , you need newer friends to lunch with, visit with and try to keep up with. Mom is 89, still loves living alone, cooking for herself and others, plays cards at least once a week and has over-night company on a regular basis. I don’t really think of myself as retired…more that I finally have time to do everything I always wanted to do but didn’t have time. Life is good at 68! I love to garden, paint, decorate, read, sing in the choir at my church, go to auctions, train my 12 week old Labradoodle, swim, needlepoint, get together with girlfriends for lunch. Only a dull moment when I want one.
I think that aging is, in large part, about attitude. I’m 72 years young and am blessed that I don’t look or act my age! I retired in 2011 but that has only given me more time to enjoy the things I love and to try out new things–like painting furniture. Recently, I updated my dining room furniture with new stain and chalk paint. I love the end result. I am working on a fabulous 1923 phonograph cabinet that I found on the side of the street! Someone else’s trash has become my treasure! There is definitely joy in having the time to do the things I love!
Yup it’s all attitude Nancy! Nothing wrong with retiring. Sounds like it gives you more time to focus on what you want to do.
I could not agree with you more I’m 58 until end of the month and I don’t feel like 58 I still shop the gap and few other fun places, I’m battling my weight but I’m not giving up .
Women in their 70’s are not in mothballs yet!
I absolutely agree Sandi. I think this applies to women of all ages. The point is you are not too old, no matter your age.
Thanks, our group of friends in early seventies still have a ton of fun! Keeping active and social! Travel, tennis, golf and we are a stylish bunch! All slim as we were in college and relevant . Good news for the young set!
I agree 100% and they should have included the over 70 group, too! I’m that and the girl in me keeps wanting to get out! I feel young and am loving life!
I simply HAD to read this because of the title. I’m 61 and I was afraid to be left out of the ageless generation! Though I joke that I’m almost as “old as dirt” I am much younger than my mom was at 61. In fact I’m much younger than many woman my age even today. A former next-door-neighbor of mine, who is 97 now and still working in her yard, once told me that her secret to long life and health was to keep on moving! Amen! I love what you said about not defining ourselves by our age. The hubs & I really dislike the idea of 55+ groups in our church and we believe that life is where the young people and the children are!
Great article my friend,
Patti
Would love to vote for your rugs but not on Instagram. Any other options to vote? I’m announcing to my bridge club today that we are perennials. We’ve moved from paying jobs to hobby jobs and can’t figure out how we had time to work before.
Great article about growing older or younger as I like to think of it. I agree with many of the statements the other ladies made. If you don’t feel your age, why act old just because it is expected of you? My 84 year old mother once told me that if she didn’t know how old she was she would think she was in her 30’s! She is beautiful, busy, outgoing and doesn’t act or look her age. I am pushing 70 also but feel like I am decades younger. I did grow my hair out to a lovely streaked silver and get so many compliments on it. Although I am retired, I am busier than ever doing all the things I love, including traveling, mentoring, learning new things, and enjoying time with friends and family. I honestly beieve the secret to aging is to keep moving and have an open mind.
Thanks for the great article. I’m 64 and agree with so many of the comments that the other ladies have made. I work a full-time job and a part-time job and I stay busy all the time with friends and family. I have friends who are younger than me and they are ready to hit the couch as soon as work is over but they also have health problems. I’m very blessed that I don’t have any health issues that keep me from doing what I want to do. I’m hoping to retire in 2 to 4 years but I plan to still work a part-time job and continue to stay busy doing all the creative things that I don’t have much time to do right now.
Love this blog post
and the quote by Gina Pell! Thank you for sharing this. We need to daily remind ourselves, maybe sometimes several times a day that we are significant and have something important to do now. We have a powerful blessing and impartation to give!
What a GREAT post! I definitely agree with you, Anita! The young at heart will stay young forever! My sister is 72, she recently remodeled one of the rooms in her house BoHo style! She gardens and is building a stone terrace for dining outdoors! She is active and so fun to be with!
I am in my mid-sixties, do a weekly garden market ( I maintain 8 perennial gardens) and love decorating! I am learning so much from your posts! One never stops learning new things, and that’s what makes life interesting, and keeps us young! Thanks for your encouragement!
I am bwhind a bit in my blog reading, so i was scrolling through to see what I missed..and THIS appeared! Just what I needed. I am getting ready to jump into an adventure amd have been questioning if I am too old to start. But no life has happened, and this is exactly where ai am supposed to be now. Thank you Anita! I have been a big fan amd hope to meet you in person next week in Atlanta! You have been such an inspiration to me. ❤
Thank you Lisa!!!
Lisa, I truly believe the entrepreneurial spirit has no age. Often we can produce more reasons not to do something than do something. There is much support available to us to begin a new venture or pursue a new idea. Growing confidence and belief in our capabilities that we can achieve our dreams regardless of age. Good luck for your ad(venture).
Society is also confused about what is “old lady stuff.” I just retired from teaching at 68 and am heavily into knitting and spinning. Not ‘old lady stuff’ at all! Most of the bloggers, podcasters and names in current fiber arts cross the age spectrum, from 20-70+. Knitting isn’t your grandmothers art form any more.
I read the same article. I am doing some very early research as I am changing the brand and focus of my company – I organise weddings in Italy. Through a business coaching course I realise my ideal client would be the “ageless couple” established, climbed the career ladder and know themselves and their style. Great no handholding, quality guidance by me it’s a great match. I had not come across the term before reading the article – my initial thoughts were positive – the 40+ something woman is not being overlooked in career, home, fashion, lifestyle or travel, whether she is in a relationship or chooses to be on her own – she is being taken as a serious consumer and influencer and not afraid to reinvent herself. As a wedding planner I experience all styles of weddings, but it is the mature couple wedding that gives me most satisfaction. The couple are not about the fantasy wedding, they approach their wedding as a team, no need to put on a show. They do not have to please anyone more likely going to do things their way in a more relaxed fashion. Love may have found the couple later in life or their marriage could be a second time round. Weddings where families are joining together (young or adult children) there are going to be additional considerations to deciding where and when to get married and what style of decoration. I guess what I am trying to say is this occurrence is happening more frequently and the 40+ bride deserves more choice and attention from the wedding industry. It’s not all haute couture designer dresses and appearing in blogs. 40-somethings today are looking for experiences, fulfilment, happiness, contentment and knowledge. I love that there is a blurring in style but is it right to use this term. We age, we evolve. Is it more that attitudes, society, views change. Longevity, healthy living, focus on well-being and the education around all these subjects is benefiting an age group that would have been put to pasture long ago. I think another term would be more accurate and descriptive. There is a greater awareness of investing in oneself and being the best version of yourself, perhaps ageless generation could be the primetimers! There is value in growing old the use of ageless seems to remove that.
Wow, you have such a well thought out response. You sound like you have a wonderful job! Thanks so much for leaving such an interesting comment.