A NEW DEFINITION OF MIDLIFE
Recently I saw an article on Facebook (where else do you see articles these days?) that introduced me to a new descriptive term for Midlifers - apparently we can now refer to ourselves as "Perennials".The term originated from a US internet entrepreneur Gina Pell, who defines the term in the following way:
‘Perennials are ever-blooming, relevant people of all ages who know what’s happening in the world, stay current with technology and have friends of all ages. We get involved, stay curious, mentor others, and are passionate, compassionate, creative, confident, collaborative, global-minded risk takers.’
She also says:
“It’s a mind-set about being relevant, staying curious, reinvention, looking outside your own boundaries, and living life fully sans generational boundaries.”
She also says:
“It’s a mind-set about being relevant, staying curious, reinvention, looking outside your own boundaries, and living life fully sans generational boundaries.”
A NEW GENERATION
I've read and re-read her definition and it resonates with everything I see in myself at this stage of life. We're not our mothers or our grandmothers, and as much as we hate to admit it, we're not our daughters either. We are a stand alone generation who seem to bridge the gap between the old way of thinking and the new world values that the Milennials preach to us.
BECOMING MORE SUMPTUOUS
I chose a picture of a peony at the beginning of this post because a) I really love these flowers and b) the description of a peony says the following: "No garden is complete without these imposing plants, which are covered with sumptuous flowers in May and June. True perennials, Herbaceous Peonies may live for fifty years or so, becoming more impressive over time."
How wonderful would it be to live the next fifty or so years becoming "more impressive over time"? I think that's something we're all aiming for in Midlife - to not fade into obscurity, but to be vibrant and sumptuous and ever-blooming. We have so much to offer and it's amazing to see that being recognized more by the society we live in.
AND MORE VISIBLE
The invisible middle aged woman has been re-invented into the Midlife women we are today - we aren't going "gentle into the good night" any more - we are celebrating our age and stage and showing the world that we are interesting, and adaptable, and versatile. We bloomed when we were younger, but we're still blooming now, and, given the chance, we will continue to bloom for another fifty years.
I'm going to add the title of Perennial to my list of Midlife descriptors. I intend to thrive and grow and become better with every year's blooming. I hope other Midlifers feel the same way - if not, maybe it's time for a re-shooting and a re-blossoming?
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We certainly are perennials Leanne and I love that term. I truly believe that most women of midlife are actually starting to believe in themselves and enjoying this fabulous time of life. I'm almost at my 60th birthday - not sure if that is midlife anymore but I will still be Sizzling that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteI think Midlife is going to broaden and it'll cover us until we're at least 80 Sue - 80 will be the new 50 so turning 60 is just the beginning! We'll just keep reblooming with every year :)
DeleteThis post is so beautifully written and touches my heart. I'm an avid gardener, so I relate to the "perennial" term. I believe we are not the midlife women of any other generation - we're more actively involved in life than any other women of this age that has come before us. We know we're stronger than ever before, willing to try new things and become more interesting as we grow older. I turned 60 last January, and I feel more capable and happy with my life than ever before. Thank you for posting this - go perennial-women!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Melody - life just keeps getting better doesn't it? It has it's ups and downs still, but I'm getting more confident in myself and I'm able to let a lot more wash over me without taking ownership of it - so much less stress and that keeps us young too!
DeleteI am stealing this term. I like it a lot! Thanks for cultivating my new use of the word.
ReplyDeleteIt's great isn't it Haralee - I think it eclipses all those Millennial terms and has a much better feel to it :)
DeleteI love love love this new term for us....gonna start using it and spread the word.. We Are Perennials! Don't mess with us!
ReplyDeleteExactly Renee - we are rocking this Midlife stuff and I love the idea that we're only part way through our blossoming!
DeleteLove thoughts and your photos are awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth - that peony just blew me away and I had to use it in the header :)
Delete'Perennials?' I LOVE it! I will definitely be borrowing this phrase!
ReplyDeleteYou can take it on the Camino Trail with you Donna and see how many times you use it on your trek :)
DeleteLeanne I love this post!!! I can't wait to share the idea of being perennials. It's such a lovely way to describe us. Thanks so much for such an inspiring read today. I so needed that.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jenny - it really resonated with me because it's such a positive affirmation of this stage of life - and really describes where we're at so well.
DeleteI recently heard the term 'perennials' via a speaker at the BlogHer conference. Of course, it's a take on 'millennials'. I also resonated with the term because I don't feel like I've stopped evolving and learning, even though I have retired from my profession.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd much rather be a perennial than a millennial Carol - we have it so much better than they do! I love that we're owning who we are, but still growing and changing and getting better all the time :)
DeleteYou had me at perennial. I have only recently heard that term and I absolutely love it. I also so agree that we don't need to be invisible, I firmly believe that is a choice and we have the option to project our energy in a positive way into any situation. Great post Leanne.
ReplyDeleteI read about it somewhere else this week too - it seems like we're finally finding a term that proactively describes Midlife - I loved it and I intend to do my best to be a great example of perennialism :)
DeleteHi Leanne, wow, how ironic we both jumped on the perennial wagon with our posts. This was lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing Debby - it's obviously something that resonated with both of us - such a positive term for this stage of life isn't it?
DeleteCongrats Leanne! Your post received the Most Clicks at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. See here: http://grammysgrid.com/wednesday-aim-link-party-23/
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read Leanne and i love the term perennial which I am now using to describe this time of my life. Thanks for sharing this new term :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out this post to me, Leanne. You've really expressed my feelings so well. I'm striving to be a perennial: care-free, ever-blooming, and thriving. The quotes are wonderful and need to be printed out!
ReplyDelete