My life has got richer, more complex, broader, relaxed, creative, intriguing, my relationships are stronger, more fulfilling and less dependent, my work is more intellectually satisfying, my creativity is much greater, my hobbies more diverse. I'm more accepting of ambiguity, more relaxed about things like tidyness and other people's opinions.
My body is in better shape and more curvy. Sex is better because I'm relaxed!
I wear things because I like them, not because they're fashionable.
I'm bothered by the images we see of women who are 40 plus - they look much younger than most women I see, they are held up as 'successes' and have phenomenal careers and polished children and stunning homes and are made out to be some new 'norm' that is just as unattainable as the young wee things that are held out as role models for my 15 year old daughter.
I'd love to see someone who is normal, who hasn't 'got it all' but is completely happy and serene and comfortable in her skin could be held up as an example and role model for us to admire.
And I'd love to see less emphasis on 'preserving your youthful looks' and 'aging gracefully' - what about some good disgraceful aging? I feel the need to wear purple and stomp in puddles and drink waaaay too much gin and just Be Myself!
Wrinkles are not only part of aging, they're life lines - tracking each experience just as a tattoo is usually about an important event. My first grey hair was when my daughter was born. My laugh lines by my eyes are about my life with my partner. My forehead wrinkles represent this past 18 months recovery from concussion. And my curving belly is about enjoying my food, having had two babies, and learning to be a woman not a girl.
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He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)
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