The second myth, mentioned in my research, is the notion of midlife as a magical transformation. The myth tries to sell the illusion that if people have enough vision and will power they can be anything or anybody they want to be.
Myth or not, this is something I can buy into. I certainly feel midlife is a time to live life without any constraints.
The idea that “midlife marks the onset of decline and the acceptance of growing limitations being the only mature way to deal with ageing” is still generally accepted, according to Strenger and Ruttenberg’s article, as good common sense. Common sense, however, may be overrated and outdated!
I read an article recently where Dame Emma Thompson was talking about her recent role as a repressed widow who hires a young escort in a bid for “sexual awakening’. in the 2022 drama Good Luck to You Leo Grande “It was very challenging” she said “to be nude in her 60’s. Especially in a world where nothing has changed in the dreadful demands made of women to look a certain way”.
Why do we have to conform to this ideology? Why, if we are women in our midlife do we have to act in a particular manner or dress in a certain way?
I remember my stepmum changing the way she dressed, around the age of 50, which I guess back in the 1990’s was still considered to be the last phase of life. It was as if society expected her now to adopt the twinset and pearls style and accept that she was now entering the second half of her life and certain expectations needed to be fulfilled. This is definitely no longer the case. I see midlife women all around me dressing however they wish and all power to them.
Strenger and Ruttenberg conclude their narrative “fortunately the life force does not just extinguish itself at age 65. Indeed there is no period better suited to inner growth and development than midlife when many people learn to listen to their inner selves -the necessary first step on the journey of self realisation.”
Midlife is exciting, it should bring freedom. Freedom not to have to consider the children, assuming they are grown up and off hand.
Freedom to realise some of those dreams that we still hold dear. To try a new hobby, to travel, to volunteer and help others, to learn a new skill, the sky should be the limit.
From my research, apparently I don’t have to worry about declining into old age and secondly I can do whatever I want if I put my mind to it . There may be obstacles to overcome and many issues will no doubt arise. But hey I’ve worked all those years, often ridiculous hours in the name of company commitment and career advancement, belong to that baby boomer generation and surely now deserve to shake off the shackles and live a little.
My dearest ambition is to throw away the clock. Imagine waking up when it’s light, eating only when you are hungry, doing whatever you want when you want and then sleeping when you are tired -that would be freedom to me!
So if you fancy coming on this journey with me, hitch up your wagon and join me, there’s a new world to find out there!
A Midlife Adventure 