Have you heard the term ageism?  You may not have experienced anything akin to discrimination, but you might have used it against yourself by buying into stereotypes.  Have you ever limited yourself because of your age?  It is a sneaky thing we do to ourselves when celebrate certain birthdays.  

“You are not a mistake.  You are not a problem to be solved.  But you won’t discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming, caging, and fearing yourself,”  Geneen Roth.  

Don’t bang your head against your age either. 

I prefer ageless to ageism

“To be ageless is to defy the rules of what it supposedly means to be this age or that,”  Dr. Christiane Northrup.  

After reading Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book Goddesses Never Age I was inspired to forge my own path and make my own rules for the next few decades.  Lucky for me I have wonderful role models.  My parents are both health conscious and lead interesting lives.  My Mom loves to say, “You rest, you rust.”  Adopting an ageless attitude will help you flourish physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.   

How to reject ageism for agelessness

1. Find examples

You will find countless examples of midlife success by doing a simple Google search.  I’ve studied well known people like Martha Stewart and Julia child.  But, I love the stories of women who blazed their own trail without the fanfare of fame.

The documentary Fabulous Fashionistas highlights six spunky 80’ish women who refuse to stop living.  These women wear Doc Martens and mini-skirts, and “don’t give a toss” about what people think of them.  Jean Woods, 75 years young, runs several times a week on her new knee and got a job as the oldest employee of GAP.  In their pursuit of life they all stay fit, aren’t afraid of hard work and have a steely determination.  Their indomitable spirits are inspiring.  

Betty White at age 95 remarked, “Don’t try to be young.  Just open your mind.  Stay interested in stuff.  There are so many things I won’t live long enough to find out about.  But I’m still curious about them.”  She is definitely an inspiration.  

2. Be aware

Who determines when your value diminishes?  Do you feel invisible (a common complaint of age conscious people)?  Do you have a shelf life?  

Well, society and stereotypes will attempt to turn you to anti-aging agents, creams or surgeries to make you feel younger.  Because you are “worth it.”  I believe this propaganda is robbing you of who you really are, of your sense of self, wisdom, sense of usefulness.  

Only you can determine your worth.  You can allow the messages that younger is better, or you can reject the message as an outright lie.  Once you become aware of what you truly believe about midlife, you can address these thoughts.  

So, what sneaky thoughts have you noticed depleting your midlife mojo?  Are you aware?

3. Breakthrough

“Our obsession with image is tiring, it’s never ending.  Where as if our emphasis turns inward more, what really our life is about, what turns us on, what makes us feel electric, then that starts to glow outside.”  Scilla Elworthy

At this point in life you can either think there is no time or energy for your dreams, or you no longer want to put your dreams on hold.  One thought is energy depleting and the other creates energy.

A breakthrough demands a radical departure from some of your habitual thoughts.  How would you show up to midlife if you could believe anything is possible?  You are worth exploring this question.  You just as you are.    

Your best years are ahead

I truly believe your best years are ahead.  This is the belief I’m building my coaching practice upon.  I am passionate about sharing tools that will help you realize your best life, at any age.

If you can believe, life is ready to to give you a breakthrough.  This belief is energy creating.  

I’d love to help you create YOUR vision for midlife.  So, I’ve made it easy for you to get started.  I offer a FREE mini session for those of you who are curious about life coaching.  Click the link below and choose a date on my calendar.  It really is that simple.  

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky.