NOW IT'S MIDLIFE AND TIME TO WEAR PURPLE!

Midlife is turning out to be the best time of life for me - why wait until we're old to wear purple?

WHY WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE OLD?

Last month I wrote a post about getting old and how it will be a really fun time if we let it. I shared a poem by Jenny Joseph called "When I am Old" about a woman who is planning on leaving conventional life behind and doing what she pleases.

After I wrote that post I began to think of my life right now and how living in Midlife already gives me so much freedom - in fact I don't have to wait until I'm old to enjoy some of those fun times - it's already happening right now.

MY NEW POEM

I took another look at Jenny's poem and thought I could write my own version that celebrates Midlife and living it on my own terms. So, (with apologies to Jenny) here is my version of When I Am Old, I'm calling it "Now I Am In Midlife"


Now I Am In Midlife

Now I am in Midlife I already wear purple,
It’s a colour I love, and it makes me feel happy.
I shall forget about working forever,
And spend time on blogging and laughing,
And drinking coffee with friends.
I’ll say we've plenty of money for what we love.
And I shall work less so I’m not always tired,
And eat my vegetables but also a cream cake or two,
And ride on the back of a motor bike or do tai chi,
And step back from the daily grind of adulthood.
I shall stay home in my yoga pants and no bra,
And watch Dr Phil or read a good book,
And learn to relax. 

You can go running or watch a movie,
And eat three pounds of chocolate in a day,
Or tinker in your shed or write a novel,
And hoard memories from our youth
In a variety of boxes. 

Because now we have more than enough,
We’ve paid all our bills and have some left over,
And we’ve set a good example for the children. 
We still have each other (and ebay for extras). 
I've noticed that time is passing so fast, 
And the people who know me
Are not too shocked and surprised, 
To find that I am already wearing purple! 

by Leanne LC

MIDLIFE IS THE BEST ISN'T IT?

I don't know about you, but Midlife is turning out to be the best time of life for me. It has its moments of annoyances and stress and upsets, but they are far surpassed by all the freedom and joy and contentment that comes with this age and stage.

We are doing life on our own terms - the kids are off living their lives, our needs are few, we have each other, great friends (online and IRL), we are working in jobs that give us spare time to kick back and enjoy life. No more slogging away working somewhere we're not appreciated to earn enough to put food on the table and pay the mortgage.

I wake up in the morning thinking how blessed I am to live this great life - my needs are few and I have more than enough to meet them. Quiet contentment, joy in the small things, no "keeping up with the Joneses", a time to be myself and to find out what is "me" and what I can discard, to learn new things, to enjoy my grandchildren, and to make the most of the years ahead of me.

Midlife is turning out to be the best time of life for me - why wait until we're old to wear purple?

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

How is Midlife looking for you? Are you living the life you'd hoped for or are you putting it on hold and waiting until you are old before you start wearing purple? Don't wait, don't leave it until tomorrow, start living a life that makes you smile when you wake up in the morning - and if that involves wearing purple right now - then go for it!

Midlife is turning out to be the best time of life for me - why wait until we're old to wear purple?

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60 comments

  1. absaflippinglutely. Have a fabulous week, Leanne!

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    1. Thanks Jo - I had to have a go at re-jigging it a bit because Midlife just rocks doesn't it!

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  2. She is a poet and didn’t know it!! Well done oh daughter of mine! Just remember, age is just a number. If you think old, you will act old. So think like you are 20 years younger and kick up your heels while you still can. Mentally young is the way to go!

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    1. That's why we're always the same age - you're always thinking 20 years younger and we end up being the same age :) xx

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    1. Thanks Janet - it felt like the right time to declare my purple Midlife anthem :)

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  4. I love it! Purple has long been my favorite color, for probably around 30 years at least. Now in midlife...even more!
    I love your attitude!

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    1. I love purple too Trisha - and a bit of hot pink or glitter these days to add to the mix! I'm also loving that Midlife means we can embrace what we love and damn the torpedoes!

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  5. Love Faye's suggestion of being mentally young. At this mid-point of life, maybe that's where our youthfulness resides...within.

    Your poem is right on! I would sub in Amazon for eBay, and we are still working on paying off the house and pool, so still have some bills, but should be clear of those before long.

    Indeed time to wear purple, go bra-less and learn to relax!

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    1. Midlife is definitely when we get to kick back a bit isn't it Leslie? I love that we all have our own versions of what is fun - and when Australian Amazon catches up with the US version I might be swapping over too!

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  6. Exactly! Having chosen to travel, I was initially amazed how easy it was to get rid of "extras". Things that you are expected to have are often just not necessary! And keeping it light as we go through life is where it's at. For me.

    For others, surrounding themselves with comforts and pretty things that make them happy might be the aim, and more power to them. As you say, at this stage we are no longer "trying to keep up with the Joneses."

    My version would include:
    "I will grow my hair scraggly as long as it's clean.
    I'll wear a bikini to the beach in the moonlight and swim with the jellyfish.
    I'll drink my wine out of teacups because stemware is fragile.
    I will drink red soda if I want to, and get too much sun."

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    1. I love your interpretation Red - isn't it fun that we all have our own version of what it's like to do life on our own terms. And as we get older we get so much better at letting others have their own life poetry - and I think I'd like to swim in the moonlight (but not sure about those jellyfish!)

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  7. Well done you with the poem, Leanne! You capture midlife perfectly and I love purple although I don't have many items that colour. I do have many colourful tops in my wardrobe though which always bring a smile to my face.

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    1. It's all about what brings out a smile and being satisfied with what we have and making the most of it isn't it Sue? If you put on a pretty top and it makes you feel happy and pretty then it's well and truly served its purpose :)

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    2. Another great start to our #MLSTL Leanne and I'm sharing your poem everywhere. You are so clever! :)

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    1. Thanks Shelley - it was a little bit of fun and an acknowledgement that this is a pretty darn fine stage of life!

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  9. Loved your poem. Not all of us in midlife have the luxury of all the things you write about. But making the best of what you have is the best way to go. Enjoyed your post.

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    1. It's going to be different for all of us Suzy - that's what's great about Midlife - no conforming to the pigeon holes of life anymore - just doing what makes us happy - kind of live and let live I guess x

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  10. Wonderful poem, Leanne. Between the poem and the essay exam, you are really stepping out there and living your midlife purple like a champ :) I wouldn't say that I'm there yet, but I've definitely started along the path.

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    1. Thanks Karen - I guess my creative gene finally got an airing - and I must say that Midlife is certainly turning out to be my moment in the sun - if old age is half as good then bring on the next few decades :)

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  11. Great 'remix' Leanne! Sounds like you are having a great time figuring out how you want to be in the world NOW instead of waiting until THEN. Enjoy the ride!

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    1. I like the term "remix" Janet - because that's what my poem was now I come to think about it. It was a reminder to me that you don't have to wait til you're old to start living a fun life.

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  12. I love it- It was perfect for a Monday morning, Coffee in hand read. I have always thought of Purple as my favorite color but never thought to wear it. I am going to be more conscientious to buy and wear Purple!!!

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    1. You definitely have to start wearing more purple Kym - a pop of colour is always preached by the fashionistas - maybe purple could be your "pop" before you launch into it big time :)

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  13. Ok. I could have sworn I commented a couple of days ago, but don't see it. I do remember saying that I love both the pictures that you used with this post. And it's inspired me to want to try to find a fun tulle skirt!

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    1. Hi Jennifer - you commented on my original post where I was talking about getting old being fun - this was a spin off from that post where it's not about waiting til you're old to start doing some of those less conventional things :)

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  14. Love this and the poem particularly "I shall stay home in my yoga pants and no bra". Purple has always been my favourite colour! I feel like I am really getting into my groove now after a few years of semi-retirement and spending time on my second career as an artist. The coloured highlights in my hair help I think LOL (not purple, teal...)

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    1. I think a teal highlight or two sounds fabulous Dorothy - being artistic is always a great excuse to use if you're feeling a little unconventional - and yoga pants and no bra are one of my favourite outfits :)

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  15. Love your poem and yes this time of life is the best. I have my health I have interests and a job and security and a home I am happy to just hang in.

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  16. Midlife is pretty darn good. Like you say I enough money to meet my needs nice people in my life but time seems to be at a premium right now but I am never bored.

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    1. I think if you've learned to live within your means and to invest your time in quality relationships then you're already more than halfway there Victoria - and having lots to fill your time is an added bonus - you certainly won't have time to be bored :)

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  17. Hi Leanne. When I turned 60 I sort of gave up the "midlife" label. But FYI...there is LOTS of life after midlife and it isn't "old" yet. Unfortunately, we don't really have a good name for this stage, but I hope you and everyone else experience this time of life as much (or more) than you do midlife. I think when you do everything you've done to create a great life, your happiness and contentment will just continue to grow as you age. So much of that is being thankful for each and every moment. Thanks for that reminder. ~Kathy

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    1. I think there's a few bloggers in their sixties who are still happy to claim the title of "Midlife" Kathy - but you're right, life does continue to get better if we have the right attitude and don't sit down and wait to die. I can't believe nobody told us how great this stage of life (and the next) really is!

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  18. - good on You - your very own midlife old age poem manifesto - indeed don't wait -gather what freedoms you can now and weave something beautiful with your life- and yes I agree this age this time of our lives has so much going for it- each day is a wonder a mystery an oportuntiy to explore -

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    1. It really is a great age and stage Sandra - I wake up and can't believe how well my life has panned out. To be in my 50s and happy and healthy and with a heartful of people I love - you can't ask for much more than that can you?

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  19. Good on you, Leanne, to enjoy mid-life. I’m in the ‘seize the day and enjoy life’ camp. Waiting is not on my list :)

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    1. Exactly Natalie - now is our time in the sun and waiting for old age to give us permission to live a little is not on my to-do list either :)

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  20. Love this! It made me want to write my own poem! Living the life I want, being the me I want to be. Yes, that is what mid-life and retirement is for me. I need to embrace it even more, and do some of the crazy things I've always put off. Not crazy as dangerous, illegal or immoral. Crazy like getting those colored hair highlights. (Cobalt blue, not purple.) Planning and doing the cross-country trip. Spending the day in my pajamas, even if I'm not sick. LOL. Those are the things that need to be in my own version of the poem.

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    1. I hope you write that poem Patricia - and that it is the story of what you've done with Midlife - I didn't want mine to be a "one day" poem, I wanted it to be a "this is my life now - isn't it great?!" poem. If we don't seize our moment then we have no-one to blame but ourselves - so I'm living what makes me happy.

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  21. Great poem, Leanne! Bottom line: at my age, I'll wear whatever colour I durn well please!! It's a terrific time of personal freedom if a person lets it be!
    Sharing for sure!

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    1. You definitely get what I was trying to say Agnes - it's not about what other people think we should wear, or what is "suitable" - it's what we want to wear, how we want to live, and what's fun for us right now - and getting on and doing it!

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  22. I LOVE your version of the poem - and will pin for constant reference!
    In my morning pages today I wrote how blessed I am. How this is such a delightful phase of life. I used to cringe at the thought of soon turning sixty - but now I look forward to living that decade with gusto! And much of this change of heart is due to the #MLSTL community. Thank you!!

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    1. I'm so glad you found us Molly - it's a great little community isn't it? I've come across bloggers who are only in it to try to be the "next big thing" or to make money and wonder why they don't experience connection....you give and you receive and that's how you make blogging friends and (for me) it turned around my whole view of my 50s - so I can't wait to see what it does for my 60's too :)

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  23. Oh, Leanne, I love your poem. I actually got a little emotional. Weird, huh? I'm looking forward to retirement and making plans, but I am having fun now, and I want to focus more on that. We do not know what the future holds, but we have today. We should be making the most of every phase of life. Midlife is glorious! Thanks for this wonderful reminder.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it Christie :) And I'm with you, still working and not retired, but not stopping myself from enjoying life right now. I want to be able to look back and see that this was the age when I discovered who I was and the freedome that went along with that - Midlife is going to be my defining moment!

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  24. I am indeed living the life that I have dreamed. Glad to hear that you are as well.

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    1. Isn't it great Cherie? I feel so sorry for those women who are waiting for their moment to come or who think their moment is gone - No! Now is our time!

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  25. Love your poem and the attitude behind it Leanne. I think it takes time and experience to get to the place where we feel comfortable in our skin, but once we hit that sweet spot, everything opens up exponentially.

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    1. I think it's about taking a good look at ourselves and stepping away from what we've been taught to think about Midlife Deborah. I don't even use the term "middle aged" because it sounds dull and grey and lifeless. This is such a vibrant stage of life and I'm embracing it and loving it!

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  26. I think I'm wearing purple now, even though I'm still going through some transitions in my life. It's a wonderful time to enjoy the grand kids, and I have the ability to arrange my schedule to my liking. I am comfortable with who I am and where I am in life. Great poem!

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    1. I'm the same Candi - the freedom of having extra time to myself and the ability to make my own choices about how to spend that time. I love the joy of grandbabies and the pleasure of seeing our children grow into wonderful self-sufficient adults is such a blessing.

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  27. Your poem is way better than the original! And I do think purple suits you :-). xox

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    1. Thanks you favourite DIL - I think I'm rocking the purple, pink, glitter look because I don't care as much about what is expected any more. It's lovely to be able to step away from the expectations of others - and to write about it was fun too :)

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  28. I love your poem Leanne! If we can't do what we want to do in midlife when are we going to be able to do it? This is our time!!!!

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    1. Thanks Michele :) You are so right! This is our time and we are crazy if we don't grab that with both hands and make the absolute best of it while we can!

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  29. When I am an old woman I shall wear purple.... just not sure I am old enough yet ;-) Love your poem you clever cookie. Pinning this post

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  30. Thanks for the pin Jan - and I really like the idea of not waiting until I'm "old" before I start doing things I love that might not be the "norm" :)

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  31. You do know, don't you Leanne, that when we do finally meet, I'll be looking for you to rock your purple & pink glittery tutu.......... ;)

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  32. Yeah for purple and living and loving our lives!

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