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4 Ways to Embrace Your Age with Style and Grace

By Susan Cox April 11, 2023 Mindset

I believe that small changes or in many cases, being aware of what you love and honoring who you are makes a tremendous difference in how you feel. Style is way beyond what you wear, lovelies, it’s how you wear what you love and the image you are portraying.

Here are four ways to embrace your age with not only style, but grace:

Practice an Ageless Mindset

We are bombarded with labels once we hit middle age, and it doesn’t let up as we enjoy more birthdays. This is why I founded Fiercely50ish. Our age doesn’t dictate who we are, and believe me, I will not allow people who have not experienced what I have, and in many instances are decades younger than me, tell me how I should act.

Everywhere you look the word anti-aging pops. We’ve been ‘led to believe’ that growing older is a crime, and we should be doing everything in our power to STOP the process. Well, I’m capable of many things, but stopping time is not one of them. And many choose to use the many products available to put the aging process on the shelf, but I don’t. Why? Because I choose to practice an ageless mindset.

What does this even mean? It means that I live my life without leading with a number. My age is my age, and I cannot do one thing about that. But what I can do is show gratitude for where I am right now.

I’ve ditched the term, ‘anti’ and replaced it with ‘pro’ when used before aging. I love my age, and I don’t listen to others, especially those who are not my age, tell me how I should be feeling and to combat where I am in my life. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and I am proud, and I want the same for you!

Age Is an Image

I couldn’t agree more. It has really been the foundation for building my Fiercely50ish business. I get to help Midlife women (and beyond) to portray who they are simply by what they wear. As Rachel Zoe, the iconic stylist says, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

It’s so rewarding to see my clients realize how important this is and to embrace their experiences, really identify what they love and weave that into their wardrobe. If you really think about it, how we show up can be creative and fun.

Every day we have a blank canvas to create. Depending on where you’re going or what you’re doing, you get to decide how you are showing up. It’s exciting when you realize you are in control of what you are wearing, and how you are wearing it, lovelies. Yes, we wear the clothes, they do not wear us, remember this!

Step Into Your Power

Remember when Good Witch Glinda told Dorothy at the end of Wizard of Oz, “You’ve had the power all along, my dear.” I have this statement framed and see it every day. It’s a reminder of who I am and what I can accomplish. And the same is true for each of you wonderful women.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, society has deemed that women over 50 and beyond are invisible. This is simply not true. We are necessary, relevant, and needed.

I help amazing women from their 50s to their 80s and beyond find their power. It’s so liberating when we discover how we can make a difference. Some of my clients have been inspired to make some big changes when they find their power. Several returned to work after a few years of retirement. Others launched their own business based on finding their power and dissolving doubt to overcome obstacles. Are you ready to step into your power?

A Big Bowl of Self-Esteem

I have this bowl in my closet. On the outside it reads, “Big Bowl of Self-Esteem.” Inside the bright yellow bowl there’s more messages that tell me:

  • I’m Talented
  • I’m Brilliant
  • I’m Good Looking
  • People Like Me

I want you to have your own bowl of self-esteem. Perhaps it’s a love letter to yourself that you place in a prominent spot where you’ll see it daily. Maybe it’s a treasured trinket or photo that makes you happy. Whatever it is, get it out and place it front and center so you can see it and be inspired to love who you are and continue to be inspired. We all need reminders that motivate how we feel about ourselves.

When we are inspired and motivated, our inner-critic who often shows up uninvited, mine sure did more times than I wanted – until I focused on the positives of who I was, and even more so, as a woman in her 60s. There’s no room or time for listening to her – she doesn’t speak the truth! Replace her doubts and negativity with your self-identified ‘big bowl of self-esteem’!

Aging is a gift, and we get to pick the wrapping paper and bow. I truly believe this attitude serves us well and should be our mantra. Don’t you? When we reframe, the magic happens. Confidence dissolves doubt and our attitude changes.

I want to enjoy this time of my life. And this, lovelies, is what I want for all of you. Every. Single. Day!

You now have the tools to age with not only style but grace! Enjoy your age, embrace who you are and have fun in the process!

Each month I create Fiercely50ish style tips. My group loves them, and you can join in as well. I’d love to see you there!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you tried to age with grace instead of stopping the aging process? What’s in your pro-aging toolbox? Do you think style has something to do with it as well?

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22 Comments
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Jennifer

I absolutely adore the line about being able to pick out the wrapper and the bow! In my circle of family and friends, no one welcomes getting older and they fight fiercely to not only stop time but move it backwards. So many procedures and treatments and diets and constant working out. It can be intimidating. Thank you for presenting a much more lovely mind-set for all we “women of a certain age!”

CES

This article offers NO specific practical advice. Certainly not on “style“ as one ages. Who wants to ‘embrace’ the sags and wrinkles? And why not avail oneself of the many products and procedures out there that help us feel confident about our aging? Sounds like you’re giving up!

Lois

She made a salient point! Unless clicking highlighted phrases will get us the intel?

Christine

True Anti- age babble.

Jeanie

Lovely article thank you. I especially liked the Big Bowl of Self Esteem!

Cynthia Bertini

You are so correct. Age is a number that, unfortunately, too many people use to define us. I’m 68, still wear contacts, still color and condition my hair, still wear make up, (love the new tinted moisturizers), take pilates classes, piano instruction, kayak, ride a motorcycle and drive an EV.. I don’t want to hear about what other people think I should be doing. As my years become shorter, I don’t have time for their opinions.

Cathy

Love your response, because at 75, I to am a piano student, and enjoy looking my best when I leave the house, because it makes me feel good. Now that I’m on my own, I’m doing things I would never have thought I’d be doing, but I’ve gained confidence in my ability to take on new challenges.

MS Sulli

Good for you. Some of us have no choice but to work until we are 68 or more. I find your comments fatuous, or perhaps irrelevant to the majority of women in America. We just want respect for our contributions to the world we live in.

Lois

It’s a process for most women who stop working. You DO feel irrelevant, purposeless, and don’t want to rest on past laurels. Work is good and keeps you level. Having it taken away too soon is a path to depression.
Another pov… Work is good. Please don’t minimize it by saying “have to.” No, you “Get to!”

Christine

I’ve been retired for 10 years now and love it. Yes I’m considered ” irrelevant” because I am old and don’t ” contribute to society” but I’ve always disliked ” society” so it doesn’t bother me at all.

Sara

Thank you for this lovely piece about aging. I have shared this with my girlfriends who are over our 60s and I totally embrace your comments that it is only a number!! Rock on!

Bongie

“Age is image” Whaw! So profound. Powerful article.

Thanks

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The Author

Meet Susan Cox, Confidence Creator and Founder of Fiercely50ish where she helps Midlife women get visible with their style and shows them just how magnetic they are and let their confidence shine through by what they wear today and forever. Want to be comfy and stylish? Checkout her Athleisure Capsule.

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