Why do I love my age? What do I like about being 50? So many things …
Like a good wine, age is wonderful in many ways. I have more gratitude and appreciation of the world. At age 50, I’ve come to realize what is important. Not to be doom and gloom, but I’m reaching the mile marker, the midpoint of life, and I want the rest of my years to be happy. While I’ve always been a get it done, check it off the list person, balancing my work and my personal life, now I am acutely aware that I want to spend more time on the things that matter, the people that matter, and leave my mark on the world, however small, by making it a better place.
Things I Love About My Age
I love that age brings wisdom
I tell my kids all the time, wisdom is a gift and it happens over time. At my age and place in life, I feel less worried about what people think of me, more confident in my decisions, and more understanding of myself. I am more tolerant of the differences of others in opinions and lifestyles, and I have less need to prove anything to the world. I notice the beauty in so many more things as I’ve aged, and I love that feeling.
I love that age can bring better health
Yes, my back has a few issues and there are certain things I can’t do physically anymore, but in many ways I’m in better shape now than I was in my twenties. There weren’t the fitness and health options back in the 80’s and 90’s like there are today. I watch younger moms with little kids at the gym carting their kids into the childcare; getting 10 minutes into a workout and being called back to the childcare for a diaper change, and I love that I can exercise uninterrupted. My three kids all have their driver’s licenses—only one is still at home. I love that women my age are conquering fitness feats like races, marathons, boot camps, and fitness goals … while feeling great about their bodies; and taking care of both their physical and mental health.
I love that age brings confidence
Okay, so I don’t love the grey hairs, wrinkles and sagging skin, but I love and appreciate my body more now than in the past. I am okay with my imperfections and feel good about who I am. I am aware of my strengths and accepting of my weaknesses, and I am always willing to work on them. Age makes people more attractive in so many ways because of how they have developed on the inside and less of what’s on the outside.
Related: The Confidence That Comes With Aging
I love that age brings freedom
After spending a couple of decades racing through each day to meet the demands of raising a family, I now have a little more freedom. I can get more sleep (sometimes) and take more “me” time. And even though I preach to younger women to make time for themselves, it gets a little easier when you have fewer mouths to feed, kids to drive around, and schedules to organize.
I love that age brings more time for friends
I saw a funny cartoon with a mom holding a briefcase in one hand, kid on the other hip, and was talking on the phone to a friend, as she said “Can I call you back in five years?” Right??? We’ve all felt that way, but I love that I have more time now for friends. By this time in life, I have a handful of faithful friends that have been with me over the years, some my adolescent years, my college years, and many from my married and mothering years. We have shared good times and sad times and have shared life changing moments, love and laughter. At this point, I know which friends I want to stay connected with and I love that even after five days, five years or a few decades, I could call them and start off where we last left off.
I love appreciating my family
It’s satisfying to have been married for 26 years and know that we have that many and more ahead of us. It’s really hard to describe how wonderful it feels to see your kids turn into amazing, thoughtful, kind adults. I love being able to focus on each one of them separately. It’s great when they start to enjoy you as an adult and actually want your advice. I love being able to enjoy family time together, which is now fun, adult activities, and less chaos! (Most parents remember vacations with little kids and the word exhausting comes to mind.)
I love being 50, and I’m okay with the whole aging thing …but I’m not gonna lie, I could do without grey hairs!
I want to hear! Why do you love YOUR age?
17 Comments
Jasna on July 17, 2015 at 5:37 PM
This is, by far, one of my favorite posts of all time. Chris, you offer so much insight and in once piece you manage to inspire and give me hope at the same time. As a mom of two little babies, I look forward to the gifts that next few decades bring. As for me, I love the energy that my age brings and naiveté that comes from not having lived so long:)
Nina on March 25, 2015 at 12:48 PM
I'm 60 and just discovered your work out videos ... and I'm hooked! I confess I've used every excuse in the book not to exercise for the past 5 years but finally have decided that none of them count. Every day after work, I lace up and put in your 1-2-3 work out DVD and then the Abs-Belly-Thighs dvd to get this body of mine back. I look forward to the journey to better health and fitness. I'm a breast cancer survivor who discovered 10 years all the things you so eloquently expressed above. Life only gets better with age - I really wouldn't want to relive my 20s again. I feel so comfortable in my skin today and am so excited for what the next half of my life will bring. Thank you, Chris, for providing me with the exercise and body role model I needed to jump start my exercise habit again! I like your videos so much, I just bought 2 more. Keep 'em comin'.!
Sharell on March 5, 2015 at 11:47 PM
I am 49 to be 50 in dec I love my age I don't sweat the small stuff anymore. Feel more confident with myself and with age comes experience
Melissa on March 5, 2015 at 5:18 AM
i woke up and Wham, I was in my 50's! Ok, maybe it took a little longer, but I look in the mirror and though I see the gray hairs and smile wrinkles, I also see a slight ripple of muscles on my stomach that I never had before. Of course we work hard to be in shape, and what a blessing to have people like you to keep us working at it!
Linda McDonald on March 4, 2015 at 6:13 PM
I will be 50 in May of this year. I feel like I'm in better shape than I ever have been, including when I was in my twenties. I have been using your dvd's, followed your posts, blogs, etc.. and thank you for being such an inspiration. After surviving breast cancer last year~I realize every birthday is a gift! Your positivity, motivational posts, and all that I have learned about nutrition, exercise, & attitude have helped me make it all a part of my day to day. Thank you again! You are a blessing!
Debbie on March 4, 2015 at 5:39 PM
im going to be 62 this year, I am doing cross fit 3 days a week, although modified, spin twice a week. Color my hair every 4 weeks. And maybe get a bit of botox every now and then. I embrace my age because I still remain active and can say anything I want and not care what anyone thinks. I realize I have a very blessed life. With age you learn what is and is not important. It's your family, friends and for me my dogs. Not the car I drive or the house I live in. But to be blessed with good health and the ability to what I want when I want. And Chris, 50 to me is still very young.
Andrea Marino on March 4, 2015 at 5:26 PM
Why not love your age and each birthday? It's a gift from God and not all get to celebrate each year. If we have our healthy and people who love us and that we love then we have everything!!
Lauren T on April 3, 2014 at 3:55 PM
I, too, will be 48 in about 3 weeks. I don't feel "48" at all - still feel as alive and excited about life as I did in my 20's. What I do like about being this age is the way I think about things more, give myself more options, take time for the really important things in life and cherish every moment that I can. I have always loved life, but now I think I appreciate it much more. And Chris, I've been coloring my hair since my late 30's - not ready to have grays yet!!
Pierce H on April 2, 2013 at 10:52 PM
Yup, there's not a darn thing wrong with age. My skin may be a little more wrinkled than it used to be, but I fit inside it much more comfortably than when I was younger :-)
Jules Cohen,MSW on March 31, 2013 at 4:54 PM
I so hear ya Chris. I'm 43 and I love this age and I make healthier decisions. My son is about to test for his black belt in TKD this coming early June and he will have only been 13 by that time for 2 wks. I tell my clients at the clinic where I counsel...all the time...mind, body, spirit...all connected. Enjoy being 47...you look fab! best, Jules