Self-esteem beckons with pride
Turning 40, 50 or even 60 can shake-up our self-esteem. It doesn’t have to be that way though. The choice to keep a high self-esteem, whatever our age, rests with us.
We live in a society that honours and reveres youth. It is up to us, therefore, to stand tall and be proud of our age. Let us show the world the true value of women over 40, 50 and more. Our value is very high. Think of what you know now that you didn’t know in your youth when you thought you knew everything.
Think of the experiences you’ve had that you didn’t have when you were only 20. The things that you have done, the places you have travelled to, and the people you have met, helped and loved, over your life.
Germaine Greer, a dynamic Australian women, said in her book, “The change: Women, ageing and the menopause”,"Women over fifty already form one of the largest groups in the population structure of the western world. As long as they like themselves, they will not be the oppressed minority. In order to like themselves they must reject trivialization by others of who and what they are. A grown woman should not have to masquerade as a girl in order to remain in the land of the living."
"As long as they like themselves ...". It's so important that we like ourselves, isn’t it? If we do not like ourselves how can we expect younger people to know our worth?
If we try to hide our age, if we deny our age, if we cover up our age with cosmetic surgery, botox or lies, why would anyone presume that it is okay being 40, 50 or 60? What are we ashamed of?
There is nothing to be ashamed of.
One of my friends died of breast cancer recently. She was 50, a wife, and mother of three children, the youngest of whom was a girl, aged only 10. She will swap places with you right now if you don’t want to be 51. She would have done anything to be that old, to have more time with her children, to be with them as they grow into adults. She fought to get to 51 and failed.
How can you bemoan your age? You are so lucky.
Another of my beautiful friends died of cancer at the age of 43. She had the most lovely face and the smoothest skin. Her beloved husband nursed her as she died. He would have preferred her to have become old and wrinkled.
If you don’t want to be 44, she too will swap with you. She would have felt truly blessed to reach 45. She would have given thanks with such joy you would have heard it across the whole of Australia.
How can you feel bad about getting older? Getting older is a privilege, isn’t it? It is far better than the alternative, which is to die young.
Do you acknowledge your value to yourself and to the rest of the world? Or do you hide your special worth?
Be proud of your age. Admit your age. Boast about your age.
Recount or write down something you have done in each year of your life. Express gratitude for what you have done, how you have grown, the opportunities you have had.
Out-loud say thank you for each item you have written down.
Write down all the significant milestones you have passed through in your life. How wonderful that you have made it through them. Not everyone has that chance. Some die trying.
Out-loud say thank you for each milestone you have written down.
Out-loud say thank you. Tell them your age too.
Come out and be proud of who you are and how old you are. Say, “Thank you for giving me the blessing of life for so many years.” Maintain a high self esteem.
Write down 40 things you know now that you didn’t know when you were 20 or even 30. Find someone else to tell. Share your life. Share your experiences. Share your learning. Tell them how lucky you are to have had these opportunities.
If we are not proud of ourselves and our age, who will be?
Editor
Reader Comments (1)
I was always planning for the future when I was younger, now I don't need to and I live far more in the moment, which is what I always wanted to do.
By the way I am over 60!
Have pride in your age.
At our age we also have built up friendships over a long time and built up more trust so we can laugh together and tease each other. If you don't know people long enough it is hard to do this.
Yvonne