This post is made possible with support from AARP’s Disrupt Aging. All opinions are my own.
I recently turned the big 40! I’m going to be honest it’s been a battle, but I’ve come to realize with the right mindset being middle-aged isn’t what I thought it would be when I was 20. Honestly, I don’t feel like I am 40 years old. When I developed the right mindset everything changed.
It’s time to disrupt the negative stereotypes and unconscious age bias. There will be a FREE virtual roundtable discussion on November 19th you won’t want to miss. You can register for this event by visiting SeeMeDistuptAging.eventbrite.com.
Here are some positive things I’ve experienced that’s helped me disrupt aging!
You are not too old to try new things.
I came to the point in my life where I felt stuck and in some ways I still do. I thought it was because I was getting old, but I realized it’s because I am craving something new. You are never too old to dabble in a new hobby or try something you’ve always wanted to do.
I’ve had some major life-changing events happen the past few years and sometimes your soul craves something new. It’s never too late to start over, buy a new house, start a new relationship, or start a new career.
I can, just be me and I love me.
It wasn’t until recently I stopped caring what everyone thought about me. Society and people have a way of making us believe we must act, talk, and hold ourselves a certain way. It wasn’t until I after I turned 40 that I realized I needed to just be me and stop caring what people thought. At the end of the day listening, to other people and what they think can destroy your self-esteem and self-worth.
I don’t feel like I must walk, talk or act a certain way anymore and that my friend is freedom. This is your journey, don’t let anyone make you think you are not doing it correctly.
Learning to better handle your emotions.
While I have not gone through “the change” yet, I have learned to control my emotions better the older I get. Rather than acting on them, I allow myself time to think and not try to control everything in my life. I have more of a “go with the flow” approach.
A positive mindset is a game changer.
I’ve known this for years, but I have seen how it changes the way I view the world and what happens in my life. There is always a positive side to something and a brighter outcome if you don’t allow yourself to stay stuck in a negative mindset.
I think I went through somewhat of a midlife depression. Learning to maintain a positive mindset has changed the way I see the world and even people in my life. Mindset is key to living and maintaining a happy life at any age, I am just now mastering it.
Stop being scared of midlife and start educating yourself
I tried to stop celebrating my birthday when I turned 21 years old because I was deathly afraid of getting old. Yes, it’s silly but it worked for several years in my mind, but my body didn’t stop aging. I’ve realized I can’t keep avoiding the fact that I am getting older. I need to educate myself, so I know what to expect when I hit things like “the change” all us ladies will experience. We can’t stop our bodies from aging so it’s important to stay up to date and educate ourselves.
Focusing more on health
Since I am finally aware of the fact that I will not live forever, I have started to focus more on my health by going for walks and keeping those doctor appointments. I used to put doctor appointments off but since I am getting older, I am more aware of the fact that they are important to my health. I still have a few vices I need to work out, but I will get there.
Being middle aged doesn’t have to be a negative experience.
It’s time to disrupt the negative stereo types and unconscious age bias.
Join a FREE roundtable discussion!
There will be a FREE virtual event that is taking place at 5:30 to 6:30 PM ET and 2:30 to 3:30 PM PT on November 19th with the wonderful folks from Disrupt Aging® and SeeMe Beauty, a Procter and Gamble brand. They have gathered some leading experts, scientists and real women for this live roundtable discussion which will be hosted by the editor-in-chief of Allure, Michelle Lee.
You can register for this FREE virtual roundtable discussion by visiting SeeMeDistuptAging.eventbrite.com.