One of the wonderful things about midlife, for me, is the sense of community it brings, with women my age. I love spending time with and engaging with my ‘tribe’. So I thought it might be fun to develop an ‘interview’ about middle-aged women’s midlife experiences, find out how they feel about certain aspects of being middle-aged, and then share their answers here on my blog. I hope that these interviews may be of interest to you. And that they’ll make you feel less alone knowing that we’re all going through similar experiences during this stage of our lives.
Midlife Interview 1
I plan to share more of these interviews here on my blog as and when I get replies from all of the amazing women I’ve contacted so far. If you’d like to contribute to and be part of this series, please contact me at biancaswanepoel1@gmail.com – I’d love to include you! Okay, here is the first interview. Extending a warm welcome to:
Linda
How old are you, Linda?
50 years young!
When did you start feeling ‘middle-aged’? Was it sudden or gradual? Or don’t you feel the part yet?
Glad you put the last question out there….absolutely don’t feel the part yet!! I think I refuse to accept that label…..Maybe its because of the stigma attached to “being middle-aged”…..tick tock the youth clock is ticking….time has run out for “middle-aged” women to actually “do” anything significant with their time…..at “middle age” there is one foot in the grave pushing up daisies….the latter being something I heard of a lot in my youth.! This is a cycle which I am actively working at breaking, hence not feeling middle age.
Are you single/married/separated/divorced/widowed? (You can elaborate if you want to, eg. Married for 20 years/recently divorced or widowed etc.)
Married – 19 years.
Do you have children? Do they still live at home? Have they moved out already?
Yes, 3 children (18, 16 and 13 years). All still living at home. Eldest about to take a gap year.
How do you feel about empty nesting? (Present or future. Is it something you’re dreading or welcoming?)
Empty nesting… something I am looking forward to…
Do you work? Full-time/Part-time? Are you a SAHM? Retired?
Presently SAHM, looking to work Part or Full time depending what suits.
Do you exercise regularly?
Yes.
If so, what do you do and how regularly do you exercise? If not, do you want to?
Yoga, walking, e-biking, reformer pilates, home weight training. I mix it up, but I do something every day.
Do you have any menopause symptoms?
Teary and emotional at random times. And have hot flushes (like an intense blushing) at random times.
Do you have any midlife ailments? eg. Failing eyesight, memory loss, hair loss/growth etc.
No real ailments, more noticeable physical changes… grey hair, wrinkles, sore joints.
What is your top health tip? eg. Magnesium, aromatherapy oils, exercising, mindfulness, diet etc.
Therapeutic Essential Oils (doTerra Essential Oils), journaling, meditation, and movement (exercise of course).
What’s the best aspect of being middle-aged (in your opinion)? eg. Feeling more self-assured.
I feel like I am on top of the mountain, with this amazing view before me. I am able to reflect on the struggles and joys I experienced on the ascent and now I get to choose how to take it forward…..fly and soar, or trip and roll down into the trough below.
What’s the worst aspect of being middle-aged (in your opinion)? eg. Loneliness and a loss of purpose. And what do you do to combat those aspects?
The worst thing is feeling like time has run out, and I haven’t really done all the things I secretly hope to have done. How do I combat these?…..well I actively remind myself of my successes today, making sure that I set new goals and do the deep emotional work to keep moving forward; I have an active practice with chakra/energy healing; and I work at these aspects firstly for my own soul and also our kids, as being an active role model of “anything is possible” is something I put huge value on…
Is travelling an important option in your midlife? Or are you more of a homebody?
Yes, yes, yes. LOVE to travel!
Where is the best place/destination that you’ve visited?
That’s a tricky one to answer, as I have been touched by all the places I have visited for such different reasons….Cape Town – childhood home base; Hong Kong & Dubai – culturally so different from what my “normal” had been. Oman – so untouched, rugged and sweet – love the heat!
What is your most treasured leisure activity?
Nature walks.
What is your best style/fashion tip for middle-agers?
Be comfortable and let your inner child dress you, every now and then!
What is your best skin care product?
Essential oils & Fractionated Coconut Oil.
What is your best make-up product?
Baby Doll Lancome mascara.
What is your daily makeup routine?
A little dusting of Bobby Brown face powder, and a lashing of mascara.
Surgical age-defying techniques or grow old naturally?
Grow old naturally.
Go grey or dye your hair?
Both….go grey with a couple of other shades (50 shades of grey might work)!
Do you have any book/movie/podcast recommendations about midlife?
Oooh, I am struggling with this one…. I tend to read motivation books, listen to uplifting podcasts; and watch feel-good romantic movies….Joy, love, hope, possibilities, opportunities – yes I have a little Utopian view on life.
Do you have any regrets in life?
Don’t stop working – keep a day job.
What advice would you give to other middle-aged women?
Turn the arrows of attention back on yourself, if they have strayed…..make yourself #1; nurture all those things about you that make your spark sparkle….let go the need to manage and control what happens around you…..choose how you want to be in any given situation.
What is your main goal at the moment?
Stop procrastinating, and distracting my attention away from the things I want to do.
Do you feel happy on your midlife journey so far? Or do you feel as if you’re going through a crisis?
Oh, I feel happy.
What do you still want to achieve in life?
Learn to play the guitar; start a blog/vlog; write a book; travel more; learn a language (Arabic)…..by working at these for me, I also would be a positive role model of “anything is possible” for others at this life stage and for my daughters (and son!).
Any other comments you’d like to add?
Thank you for your blog, and creating space to share this stage of our journey!
This post may contain affiliate links - if you buy something through these links, I may earn a small affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. I only feature things I truly love. Thanks for your support.
Linda wont topple into the trough, she will fly and Ill flap next to her somewhere along the way 🙂
Author
That’s for sure! And you’ll definitely be flying along with her! I’d love you to do the interview too. 😉 Let me know if you’re keen. xx
Ah Meg….and if we did topple, it would be for the pure FUN and JOY of it…..of course with you beside me!!!…..