You’re Not Getting Any Younger, So Celebrate Life Where You Are
Martha Stewart reminds us that a woman's life and her looks don't end after 50
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Aging Is Not What It Used To Be
Martha Stewart reminds us that a woman's life and her looks don't end after 50
In case you missed it, this past week, Martha Stewart, lifestyle entrepreneur, business icon, and best-selling author, became the oldest model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue- at the age of 81.
“We said this year was going to be epic; we meant it,”
-Sports Illustrated
When I saw the news and the photo, I applauded Stewart for making history.
My first thought was, GOOD FOR YOU!
Then I began to read the many comments about the cover and was reminded of how difficult it can be to celebrate life after a certain age.
Despite our ability to live longer and healthier lives, our society remains youth obsessed. For those who choose to step out of their comfort zone, as Stewart did, and celebrate their age, they’re seen as vain, and trying to recapture their youth.
“How is this helping older women when she’s been filtered and photoshopped to look like 45? No woman looks like that at 81, 71, or 61. It doesn’t take a whole lot of courage to do that.” -Veronika
“No normal 80-year-old has the time or resource to put on such a disguise to fish for compliments on how well she looks at her age.” -AT
“No, no, no, and No! I am so unhappy to see this! Even at 80 years old, a woman must be obsessed with her looks! No, thank you.” -SMC
To these naysayers, I say,
Get over it!
In the official Sports Illustrated video, Stewart commented, “I don’t think about age very much…When you’re through changing, you’re through,”
I couldn’t agree more.
As a woman in my 50’s, I don’t think about age much, and I don’t feel my age.
I’ve also never felt held back because of my age.
Like Stewart, I view life as a series of opportunities to change and become the best version of myself.
America is Aging
In 2021, the fastest-growing age group in the U.S. was those 65 and older. Women aged 60 to 84 made up 38 million, yet women are no strangers to ageism in the workplace and society.
How often do you see a 60-year-old single woman dating a 30-year-old man?
Not often, yet it’s common still to see a 30-year-old woman on the arm of a man twice her age.
It’s not something I’m interested in, but as an older woman, I want every option that a man or a younger woman has in the workplace, when dating, or when growing and changing.
No one should be held to outdated beliefs.
And why is it necessary to criticize those brave enough to do something you wouldn’t?
When the offer came, I thought, “I can do this. I don’t have to give in to convention.
-Marth Stewart
Maybe that’s another reason I enjoyed seeing Stewart on the cover. She took this opportunity and ran with it.
A few months ago, I decided to do something similar. After years of ill health and caregiving, I wanted to celebrate how far I’d come.
While scanning Facebook, I found stunning photos of older women with a tag of ‘40 and Fabulous.’ Intrigued, I followed the images to the photographer’s page and saw more beautiful women in their 40, 50s, and 60s celebrating their lives.
I decided it was time to do the same, even though I’d never been comfortable in front of the camera.
In my corporate jobs, I directed photo shoots and videos from behind the camera. When my son was born, I documented every age and stage of his life from behind the camera. I was rarely in the pictures.
This time was different.
I didn’t know what to expect, but I learned how fun it was to sit back and enjoy being me.
For several hours, I forgot about my daily responsibilities and leaned into who I was as a woman.
I wasn’t a 50-year-old woman with a chronic illness.
I wasn’t a mother fighting to get her teenager well.
I wasn’t a single parent teaching my son what most children learn from two parents.
I was a woman who had grown and changed and stepped into the person I was meant to be.
Maybe Martha Stewart felt the same when she saw herself on the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
To the naysayers, I say, stop putting down women, older women, and those who choose to change.
Try celebrating what they’ve accomplished instead.
If seeing an 81-year-old woman on the cover of a magazine inspires you to step into your power, please do and enjoy every moment!
I know I did, and it looks like Martha did too.
II. Master Your Monday - A mindful tip to help you start the week.
When I was doing research for this article, I listened to several interviews with Stewart. Some snippets stood out to me and may give you something to consider this week.
“Change the way you think about living.”
“Don’t be afraid.”
“Be Fearless.”
“Instill confidence at an early age. Tell your children they can do anything.”
“Educate yourself.”
“It’s important to stand up to challenges.”
“Think about good living, successful living, not about aging.”
- Martha Stewart
Why Soulful Sunday?
I began The Power of Change to explore the potential to transform your life in meaningful ways.
Being mindful of your life is the first step. It helps you focus on what’s important today and throughout the week.
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Awesome newsletter and awesome pictures!
Great photos. That looks like a fun and powerful thing to do!