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?