5 FABULOUS THINGS ABOUT MIDLIFE

5 Fabulous Things about Midlife that make getting older worthwhile


WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT GETTING OLDER?

Sometimes I sit back and feel my aches and pains, or see a new wrinkle, or notice an extra kilo or two and wonder what good there is in growing old? All the vibrancy and the fast pace of youth are behind me, what's left to look forward to?

Then I stop and remind myself that Midlife is a pretty fabulous stage in the journey. It's not the beginning, and it's not the end - it's a hiatus where I can catch my breath and enjoy these five fabulous things:


1. FINANCIAL FREEDOM

We've been careful with our finances all through our lives and now we're reaping the benefits of being debt free. Even if you haven't arrived at that lovely destination, there are still so many less expenses when the kids have left home and there's less mouths to feed and bodies to clothe. It's given both my husband and myself the freedom to choose the amount of hours we work and the type of work we want to do. We're not independently wealthy, or about to retire, but the pressure has definitely eased.


2. ME TIME

After all those years of raising children and doing my best to turn them into decent human beings, now they've left the nest and it's time for me. I love being able to focus on what I'd like to do and not having to worry about how that affects other people. My husband is self-sufficient and he is happy for me to be doing my own thing too. So I can wear what I like, colour my hair how I like, be myself and re-discover what makes me tick.

3. US TIME

After being a family for 20+ years, it's nice to be just the two of us again. We know each other well enough to cruise along and enjoy each other's company. We can decide to stay home and do nothing, or go out for a movie and a meal. We can jump in the car or onto a plane and not worry about anybody else being inconvenienced. We like being together and we're not at a loss now we're empty nesters - it's a really good feeling.

4. GREAT FRIENDS 

When you have friends who have been in your life for decades, you know the connections run deep. You "get" each other and you like each other, you enjoy spending time together and there is no competition and very few misunderstandings. Friendship in midlife is wonderful because it's a choice - you want these people in your life and they want you in their's.

5. THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

One of the most fabulous parts of Midlife is seeing your children all grown up and making their own lives. I love seeing ours happily settled in careers they love, with spouses they love, and in their own homes. The cherry on the top is a whole new generation to come - our lovely grandbaby (and hopefully the others who will come along one day). The sheer joy of being part of this next stage of life brings a smile to my face and makes up for those aches and pains, wrinkles and extra kilos!


The greatest adventure of all is finding our place in the circle of life


5 Fabulous Things about Midlife that make getting older worthwhile

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16 comments

  1. Timely timely for my life as always. I feel a shift happening here as mine gets ready to go to middle school. And as I get ready to enter my 50s. I will confess it felt a little unnerving at first – – I will get my life back? Well I know what to do with that? – – But now I am excited about all the Carla time

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    1. It is the icing on the cake to have a bit of yourself back again Carla. If you let go gradually, and fill your days with interesting things (as you already do) then the transition isn't all that hard.

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  2. I don't mind getting older especially when you think of the alternative!

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    1. Such a true statement Antionette - but it's also nice to recognize that getting older isn't anywhere near as bad as we'd been led to believe.

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    1. Yes indeed Diane - we're working this Midlife groove aren't we? :)

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  4. I remember being depressed at the prospect of turning 30. At 40 I was pregnant (with my first!). I have a year to go to 50 and I am enjoying the prospect of getting older for many of the reasons you gave. One you didn't mention is experience and wisdom. I look at people jumping from health fad to health fad or obsessing over every little political thing and I laugh - this too shall pass, it has before and it will again.

    Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity

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    1. That's so true Audrey. I've always had difficulty with changing decades - the new number messes with my head for a while, but 50 has turned out to be so much better than I'd expected. Hope you find it the same :)

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  5. Love it! I heard a great quote today at an IWD function I attended: Don't be brainwashed - ageing is fabulous!

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    1. It really is isn't it Janet? I don't know how I'll cope with being elderly, but this midlife business is certainly a lot better than I expected :)

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  6. Well said Leanne. Maybe you are also finding the benefit of having had your children early in live and Lord willing plenty of life left to age fabulously, like Janet has said.
    Kathleen
    Blogger's Pit Stop

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    1. That's a good point Kathleen - every now and then I read a blog by someone my age who still has young children at home and I wonder how they manage to keep it all together. Empty nesting is certainly easy in comparison!

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  7. Leanne, attitude is everything, and you have a great one! I just remind myself that my older sister who died at 48 would have been happy to turn 50 (and so on). Gratitude. Attitude and gratitude, the keys to happiness at any age.

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    1. I'm so sorry about your sister passing away at such a young age Jean - but you are so right that it is a fantastic reminder to live our lives with grace and gratitude in honour of those who don't have the same privilege.

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  8. Great post. I am past the mid stage but still enjoy life and for all the reasons you mention.
    Thanks for sharing at Over The Moon Party,
    Bev

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    1. I think it's all about your attitude Bev - we stay young(ish) if we aim to be positive about the whole ageing experience (that's my belief anyway!)

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