Looking forward to life over 50
I am looking forward to life over 50 and I think you can too. My milestone birthday comes up in December and I really do see it as an occasion to celebrate life to date and to make plans for the future. Here are 5 reasons why I am feeling positive as I approach the second half of my life.
Self-confidence
It has taken me a lot of years to learn to love and accept who I am. I was always the child who did not quite fit in and was bullied. I was the teenager who did not break too many boundaries. I think as you get older you realise you really are all you have got so you may as well look in the mirror and become your own best friend. It’s amazing how when you really nail this, the world seems to buck up its ideas and start loving you back.
Freedom
I admit that I have not found the whole parenting gig easy to handle. I was very naïve about what it involved and the restrictions it places on you both work and leisure wise. As the children are nearly all in their teens, I can do my own thing more. If I have a life of my own, they also have time and space to become the individuals they are without me breathing down their necks. In the last couple of years I have worked out I can create my own reality and pursue my dreams.
Investing in myself
It is good that I have put other family members first over the years but self-care is vital too. I have learned this the hard way and experienced depression largely brought on by self-neglect I think. I ensure that I give myself regular little treats now as rewards for my hard work. I am designing my birthday celebrations so that they are exactly what I want and because I know my husband will not put a huge effort in. He is not a fan of birthdays but I am not going to allow that to hold me back this year.
New adventures
I have already started taking on new adventures with gusto. I made a major relocation a year ago and am so much happier in my new community. I have a social life that simply did not exist before. I want to continue to explore new places and to travel a lot. I would like to learn how to arrange flowers remembering that I have always dreamed of running a floristry business. I am not ruling out having more romance in my life either as I do believe there is life after 50.
Learning from my own mum
My mum only had 3 children but there were 17 years between us which meant she spent a long time giving her all to us. She also was heavily involved in her local community and church. I remember how my Auntie used to beg her to go on girlie weekends to London and how my mother would always turn down the opportunity. She ended up making herself ill by doing too much. Then she switched things up a bit and said yes to London. She returned full of fun stories and it started a new mum who travelled the world and got out and about locally too.
I think it is right to commit to our families especially when they are younger but then we can take a second wind and cherish life after 50.
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Kate Davis-Holmes
Award-winning writer, blogger, social media consultant and charity campaigner. Social Media Manager for BritMums, the UK's largest parent blogging network Freelance clients include Firefly Communications and Save the Children UK. Works with brands on marketing projects. Examples include Visit Orlando, Give As You Live, Coca-Cola and Kodak. Cambridge Law graduate with many years experience working across three sectors in advice, media relations, events, training and project management. Available for hire at affordable rates.
13 Comments
endardoo
Here’s to your second half-century. Sounds likevit could be #BlogCrush!
Rosie Doal
Wow you’re going to be 50! You don’t look it at all. Every birthday is special but when it’s a milestone, it just makes you reflective. It looks like you’ve already learned a lot about yourself and are making a positive impact on your life. I hope you plan to spoil yourself in December x #BlogCrush
thesingleswan
Hi Kate,
Happy Birthday!
You deserve to spend some time on yourself. Spoil yourself. I don’t think you need to wait until you turn 50 to do that, but if you do decide to wait then 50 is an awesome excuse. There are a lot of things in your post that resonate. I make a point of focussing on myself some of the time. It is key to my own emotional well-being. And well, the whole parenting gig is a journey, and at times it is a really hard one. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Please do spoil yourself.
Oh, and thank you for making me your #blogcrush. I am really pleased that you picked a post that I think is really important!
Pen x #DreamTeam
Daydreamer mum
Kate I love this post. I’m so enjoying getting older too and it’s for similar reasons to yours , I had my children found and now I’m at the point I can look for new adventures and invest in myself that bit more !! Look forward to hearing all about the celebrations !! #blogcrush
Liberty on the Lighter Side - (LoLS)
50 is a big milestone and you absolutely should celebrate it! My birthday is also December but I’m just a few years behind you, however I could identify with so much you wrote about. This is a tricky time of transition in life as our kids grow more independant, we have to carve out a new identity and I like how you are focussing on the positives for the future. Personally I think it helps having older friends who have already passed that stage and are living full lives – they inspire and encourage me that the next stage can be just as, if not even more fulfilling. #blogcrush
endardoo
Yes, good to be reminded that life is there to be cherished, at any age #BlogCrush
Debbie Denyer - Squidgydoodle
I love this post! I think you’re so right about the need to invest in yourself and have adventures. I think it’s great for your children to see that too. It gives them confidence to travel, explore and experience the world around them if they see you doing it. #BlogCrush
This Main Line Life
That’s a great way to look at it. I’ll be there next year. #BlogCrush
Tom @Ideas4Dads
Life begins at 50 🙂
viewfromthebeachchair
I am looking at 50 in 2 years so this is a great read! #blogcrush
Millie
A very upbeat post. Love it! We are very similar in age too. What are you going to do for your celebration? #BlogCrush
mrshsfavouritethings
I love this read. I’m going to be 40 in two weeks and I can’t wait. It is other people that seem to have an issue with it. I love the fact that your designing your own birthday experiences and that you’re following in your mother’s footsteps by stepping out of your comfort zone. Hugs Lucy xxxx #blogcrush – sorry it’s taken me so long to comment.
Lucy At Home
Oooo I’mm excited to find out what big celebration plans you have! Like you, I love birthdays but hubby isn’t that fussed – I think I should take leaf out of your book and just plan things for myself instead. And I love hearing about the newfound confidence you are feeling #blogcrush