Today’s Featured Comment
We still have a long way to go. The question of the last few decades remains – How do we honor both parts of our womanhood?
For me pushing a baby carriage was never boring. Sitting in the park with the other moms was some of the best times of my life. BUT – its over (and has been for quite some time). As I turn 56, now a retired teacher because after 25 years I AM tired of taking care of children. I am struggling to figure out what comes next.
I missed the glory days of feminism. Ahhh, but I’m right at the forefront for the fight against ageism.
I keep hoping that we Boomers continue to define ourselves differently. We are still a huge demographic group and we don’t necessarily have to conform to the popular culture likes and dislikes of our children. I keep hoping that we can make room for the “wise woman” whose jowls are not firm, and stomach is not smooth, but whose brain is explosive, creative, and interesting. I’m hoping I stick around long enough to see what happens.
[This comment was originally posted in this conversation. ~ Eds.]
What’s next for vibrant Boomer women in the fight against ageism?
I got before and after pics copied and pasted in the reply box and tried to post, but the only things that shows up is the text I typed, not the photos.
Thanks May & Janice for all your helpful comments. I really appreciate them.
May - for the longest time, I said to myself that I will never want any plastic surgery done and that I will accept my body for what it is. Like many typical wome
At the very least I think that means we have to stop damning each other about how we enter this next stage and give each other permission to be who we want to be. Some of us will embrace the natural approach and someone of us will do botox and peels.
The question for me is not how other people see me. I don’t care. The real question is how can I be the best me I can be and the only person who gets to decide that is me. I am not and will not be limited by someone else’s perception of what I should be at this stage.
The more I embrace that the more confident I am and the better my life is. I’m creating my reality, not anyone else.
Here I am again. I seem to be following you all over today! I keep having this tug-of-war between feeling as if I should be using this gift of time to “do” something, accomplish something, rekindle a dream that was pushed aside to raise the kids and bring home the bacon … and cook it too, of course. The other side tells me that I have worked hard to be able to enjoy this gift of time any way I want to and if that includes sitting under a tree with a good book or just watching the birds, that’s okay, too. I wonder who started the whole thing about needing to “do” something? I just feel for those who really want to step out of the box and go for it but are afraid. I’d like to be able to reach out and give them a hand up. Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to “do.”
I don’t think there is a right answer for all of us. I hope that we each get to be the very best that we can be. I think that does mean helping and encouraging each other. There’s alot to be said for just being sometimes. That’s when ideas percolate.
I agree with what you are saying joyful! I’m turning 56 in October and have been at a crossroads in many way the last 17 mos. I was laid off from a co. I had been with for 14 years and had hoped to retire from there. After many interviews, I am still unemployed. I know I am still vibrant and have much to give, but it’s hard to compete with the “younger,” job seekers. One co. I secured an interview with had over 250 applicants, but I still got an interview, so I felt pretty good about. I have another interview next week with a business I would really enjoy working at, I am digging down deep to pull out my hope once again. Having all these months off, I certainly have had time to look at where I am in my life. I have learned to have great patience and faith and have spent a lot of time just enjoying being alone at times. My DH works but mostly part time due to the economy. The time off has afforded me valuable time to spend with my now 3 year old grandson. I feel that my nurturing of my grandson has helped shape him into the wonderful toddler that he is. So while I have contributed to other things and mostly still feel valuable, I still want to be in the work force and contribute in that way. The business society really does need to give us boomers a chance to show them that we still have “it,” despite the not so firm jowls! Here is to all the vibrant women of my age, keep your chin up, believe in yourself and live the best life you can no matter what your age.
Susan, I was 60 when the company I worked for laid me off also. I thought I would always work as long as I wanted but found that was not so. I never dreamed that employers would base my work experience on my age. Jobs I know I was will suited for and had good work habits. I was finally forced into retirement, taking a less amount on my social security. We do the best we can and hope it comes out ok. It is an adjustment but we just need to be open to change and adjustments.
I think you hit the nail on the head Susan, to “live the best life you can no matter what your age.” And as Flower Bear points out – sometimes that’s sitting under a tree. Not that I’m good at that, but I want to learn to do a little more sitting with grace and gratitude.
I hope that as a Wise Woman I can save a little bit of the world, accomplish a little something, and read a few good books (And write a few good reads!)
We’re accomplishing something right now … reaching out to each other and helping each other along the way. We even share book titles. How cool is that! We are Wise Women one and all!