Turning 50: Redefining Growing old on Our Phrases

Rising up, one adage that I knew to be true was that you simply completely don’t ask a lady her age. It was at all times one thing to be coy about—the implication being that not solely was it intrusive to ask, however that it’s finest to not put the lady within the uncomfortable scenario the place both she is is perhaps judged … or would possibly lie. Age was at all times the elephant within the room however as Bob Dylan mentioned … 🎵 the instances they’re a’altering 🎶 .

Increasingly girls are getting snug embracing and sharing their age with satisfaction and I feel it’s due largely to the truth that girls have begun to redefine what it means to age on our personal phrases. Whether or not it’s by way of skincare routines, well being regimens, or just the selection to flaunt our silver strands (or not), trendy girls are shifting past outdated stereotypes and now have the liberty to outline our personal narratives. 

How Turning 50 Used to Look

After I was a younger woman, 50+ 12 months outdated girls at all times regarded a particular manner. I’m certain you’ve seen the memes in regards to the Golden Ladies, or keep in mind from the present, Dorothy, Rose and Blanche had been women in their 50s. On this formative time in my girlhood once I was watching the present (I used to be 10 when it got here out in 1985), they regarded like my grandmothers and had been energetic like my grandmothers however the cause it stands out a lot now’s that by way of at the moment’s lens they appear a lot older.

I’m turning 50 in just a few months, I can’t assist however take into consideration what it will need to have been like throughout that point, and feeling like that was the embodiment of being in your 50s. 

How Turning 50 Has Modified

Through the years, the portrayal of growing old has actually modified. 10 years in the past The Today Show put collectively a slideshow of being in your 50s “then and now” that confirmed stark distinction, particularly among the many girls. One notable movie star featured was Courteney Cox alongside Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith present.

In an interview in 2013 in New You journal Cox herself spoke about growing old. The interviewer famous that there have been quite a few exhibits on the time the place the principle character was in her 40s or 50s (Cox was starring on the present Cougar Town) to which Cox attributed that to, “I really feel like nobody actually appears their age anymore.” Additional within the article, she talks about her concern of turning 50 and in addition her use of anti-aging merchandise together with injectables, which on the time was not usually overtly mentioned, particularly amongst celebrities.

Quick ahead to at the moment—actually there’ll at all times be individuals who really feel it’s nobody’s enterprise to know their age they usually would possibly even lie about it for concern it may jeopardize their careers, relationships, and so on., however it’s turning into extra widespread that ladies are proudly saying their age and embracing it as a result of extra girls are growing old on their very own phrases. There isn’t any longer one look that represents a particular age. 

At the moment, celebrities will endorse and host infomercials speaking about anti-aging merchandise that give them “confidence in my physique and positively my pores and skin” (Jane Seymore for Crepe Erase). They may even stand exterior the US Capitol shouting to a crowd, “I’m in menopause, OK?” and insisting that “the disgrace needs to be taken out of menopause. We have now to speak about this very regular a part of our life that occurs. Our medical doctors can’t even say the phrase to us, not to mention stroll us by way of the journey,” (Halle Berry in May 2024). 

At the moment’s lady has house to age as she needs to—injectables and menopause hormone therapies are spoken of collectively across the espresso store, not whispered quietly about in line for the Girls Room. There’s nobody “proper” strategy to be 50—or any age, for that matter.

Personally, my 50 will embody lotions and serums, hair coloration (spoiler alert, I’m not naturally crimson), inexperienced drinks, hopefully just a few extra marathons and conversations with my buddies in regards to the present state of my perimenopause journey. However I can confidently say that these merchandise and my wardrobe aren’t about some quest to be perceived as younger as a result of I’ll inform anybody who asks my age. After which once more, possibly sometime I’ll need beautiful silver hair or to put on glasses on a regular basis, however I like that now it’s as much as me.

Your 50 will look completely completely different from mine—and the way cool is that?! Every of us has the chance to create our personal path ahead … and to personal it.

Hey, yeah … 50 is the brand new 50!

Share your personal experiences and insights about turning 50 and past. —Tam