Why fifty is the new fifty, not the new thirty!

Lorraine C Ladish
A few days after my 50th Birthday

When I made it known to my social media community that I was proudly turning half a century, I was showered with all kinds of well-meant happy returns for the day.

I also got many comments that were well-intended but not so well-received: “You look great for your age,” or, “Don´t worry, 50 is the new 30.”

I reflected on those statements and realized they didn´t ring true for me. No offense, as my tween kids would say, but I think I look pretty damn good for any age!

Of course this is something I say because at this point in life I feel more confident than ever before. I had heard that about midlife women – they really speak their mind – and it´s true!

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I kept running in my fifties

Fifty is the new fifty

Fifty is not the new 30, or the new 40. It´s the new 50, and that´s a great thing! If it really were the new 30 or 40, I´d probably be pining to have another baby.

And then when my mid-life kid turned 20, I´d be a good old 70. Now please don´t tell me that life starts at 70!

Then there´s menopause, which I have not gone through yet, but I´m starting to feel those night sweats, the hormonal roller-coaster, and the discomfort of the process that will take me there.

I need to rest more than I did when I was younger and I´m not ashamed to admit it.

I´m getting wrinkles, sagging skin, tons of gray hair and I have to work out twice as much to maintain the results that didn’t seem so hard to obtain just a decade ago.

Oh, and as embarrassed as I am to admit it, a hangover at 50 is just not the same either…

Also Read: 7 Lifetime beauty habits to look fabulous at 50!

 

 

Still, I love being this age!

The New 50 means I can still look stunning in a tight, sassy red dress (with only the best body-sculpting shape-wear underneath, that is), that I may wear my hair wildly long and curly, flaunt my skinny jeans I’ve just now started to embrace, and wear a bikini at the beach (admittedly, with a sarong to cover my, ahem, mature-looking thighs).

I know I will have to adjust my wardrobe as I grow older, but that´s fine. Why can´t I aspire to achieve the mature elegance of Charlotte Rampling, Lynn Redgrave, Helen Mirren or Catherine Deneuve?

The New 50 means that having had kids at an older age, I feel a smaller generational gap between myself and my young kids (9, 10 and 12) than I do with my own father who had me when he was in his early 20s.

I love the tops and tunics by Covered Perfectly, which are designed to make women look and feel beautiful in midlife and beyond.

The New 50 means I can still go back to school if I want to, reinvent my career once again, and (this time around) have the wedding of my dreams with the love of my life next spring.

It means I can lace up my kicks when I’m feeling frustrated and go running, and even train for a half marathon. I can enjoy that I am no longer riddled with doubt about who I am and where I’m going.

I am able to look back and think, “Oh, what a ride,” and consider the future knowing I have a limited amount of time to reach the goals I´ve set for myself.

None of that was possible for me when I was 20, 30, or even 40 years old.

At 20 I hated myself, at 30 I published my first book – about my long struggle with an eating disorder – and at 40 I had my second baby while wondering how to fix or nix my dysfunctional marriage.

We live in a society that celebrates youth

When I see women having to hide their age because it could negatively affect job offers in their profession, or even their potential love life prospects, it saddens me.

We live in a society that celebrates youth, and in a consumer environment that targets the young ones.

But don’t they know that older and wiser women are the ones with the spending power? Why does Victoria’s Secret only have 18-year old models? I buy their clothes too!

And I bet I’m a more loyal client than any 20-year old out there! Sigh …

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I dream of a day when owning one’s age is not an isolated event, but something natural.

I have no plans to hide my years, no matter how advanced they get. Besides, this labor would be fruitless. I’m sure my Facebook friends from high school would be quick to correct my “mistake” if I claimed to be, say, 5 years younger.

So, here I sit, amazed at being half a century old and honestly, not feeling pained or embarrassed about it. Who’s got time to dwell on a number anyway? I’m too busy looking forward to the second half of my life!

If only younger people understood the benefits of aging they’d embrace every single birthday, as I truly and honestly have, each and every year.

Fifty is not the new thirty, it´s the new fifty, for many empowering reasons! Here are mine, when I turned fifty, and that haven´t changed much since then.
Lorraine C. Ladish

Bilingual and bicultural Spanish-American editor, writer, speaker, influencer, yoga teacher (RYT500) wife and mom. Founder of Viva Fifty! Published author of 18 books. Her most recent book Your Best Age was released by HarperCollins in September of 2017.

15 Comments

  • Reply April 22, 2021

    Ayesha LaNique

    My 50th bday is in 3 days and I am excited about it. Due to the Pandemic, I decided not to go on the trip I planned to Niagra Falls, but I’m having dinner with my adult kids, husbabd, and 80 yr old mom at the Top of the World. I will still get to be near water a couple of hours down the road, and maybe even by myself, giving me time to reflect on my life and write some thank yous and letters of gratitude to family and friends past and present. And I start my doctoral program in 3 weeks, that scares me way more than turning a glorious 50. I’m like you Lorraine, I’ve earned every year and I am proud to be 50. I look forward to the next chapters in my life.

    • Viva Fifty!
      Reply April 22, 2021

      Viva Fifty

      Yay you Ayesha!!!! I wrote that 7 years ago. At 57 I’m still excited about my next birthday. Congrats on the doctoral program and congrats for taking the different celebration bc of the pandemic in stride! Happy happy birthdayyyyyyy!!!

  • Reply February 12, 2014

    Laura Carbonell

    I’m not there yet, but following close behind! Viva 50 and viava Lorraine!

  • Me alegro que tengas este espacio. Te sigo 😉

  • Reply February 12, 2014

    Ana

    Lorraine, me encanta! cumpli 50 hace unas semanas y la celebre a todo! La ultima vez que me senti tan feliz en mi cumple fue cuando cumpli 21. I am totally embracing this new phase in my life, and looking forward to the next 10, 20 and 30 years. Cheers a las mujeres de los 50!

    • Reply February 12, 2014

      Lorraine C. Ladish

      Gracias, Ana. Es una edad bonita, dependiendo de cómo se aborde claro. Yo siempre celebro los cumples, y la única crisis de edad que he tenido fue a los veinticinco. Imagínate. Of course let´s see how it goes … :’D

  • Reply February 12, 2014

    Uchi Davidzon

    Enhorabuena Lorraine ! Me encanta tu nuevo blog. Que alegria que finalmente esta online.
    SOS una gran inspiracion para mi! Se avecina otro gran exito! 🙂
    Todo lo mejor siempre
    Uchi

    • Reply February 12, 2014

      Lorraine C. Ladish

      Gracias Uchi. Muchas gracias como siempre. Eres un amor. El éxito para mí es haber encontrado un nombre que me guste para el blog y decidir hacerlo. 😀

  • Hola Lorraine: enhorabuena por tu nuevo blog y enhorabuena por el post tan bonito que has escrito. Yo tengo 53 años y me encuentro mejor que nunca: sé lo que quiero, me compro ropa que de verdad me queda bien, soy muy feliz desarrollando mi trabajo y no puedo tener mejor compañía: mis dos hijos y mi marido. Un abrazo desde Madrid.

    • Reply February 12, 2014

      Lorraine C. Ladish

      Gracias, preciosa. La verdad es que da un poco de vértigo lo que se avecina, PERO, los 50 -aparte de que no tienen remedio- creo que son una buena época de la vida. Besotes.

  • Reply February 11, 2014

    Ana L. Flores (@laflowers)

    Felicidades!! You needed this space and this space needs you! You inspire me and I “get” you. I’m 41 and, admittedly, I don’t look my age. No one has dared say to me “you look great for 40” yet, but I know it’s coming and I know I will cringe. I don’t feel 40, I don’t act 40, because I just AM. Age happens to you. And, damn, are we wiser! 😉
    Happy to follow you here, amiga!

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