Over 50 – And Not Done Yet!

My Rant

Okay. Right from the get-go, I’m gonna be straight with you. I’m pissed. I consider myself to be intelligent, wise, healthy, and fit. I know I have value. I can declare with confidence that I’ve evolved over the decades into a mature, level-headed woman with extensive experience and expertise. This isn’t meant to be a personal brag fest by any means, but if it’s taken that way, then let it be a brag fest for all women over fifty. Because we all have value, and I’m pissed that society seems hell-bent on pushing us to the sidelines and diminishing our contributions. And I want to scream: Hold on. Not so fast. We’re NOT DONE YET!

We live in a culture that worships youthfulness and requires daily sacrifices to the beauty gods. Every day we witness younger women in the workplace being favored. We’re also keenly aware that our skin is wrinkling, our hair turning gray, and that none of this is tolerated in a youth-tilted culture. We sense our power and respect slipping away.

I see signs of my aging every time I look in the mirror. And it sucks. Not because I’m unhappy with growing old. That’s a gift! It sucks because society won’t let me and my sisters age in peace. We live in a world eager to shove fifty-plus women out the door to make room for younger workers. And the rationale is that anyone younger or prettier has more value. Pure BS.

I want to be healthy and fit. I want to feel fulfilled by my work. And I want to be respected and acknowledged for that work. I want to keep working for the foreseeable future. Like many of you, I need to keep working. Sure, I could let my hair go gray and stop using the anti-aging products that slow down the visible signs of my age. But I know in my gut that I may face the consequences of such decisions. As with many of the women I’ve interviewed for this book and those I’ve met online and at conferences, I fear that the more my age shows, the less respect I’ll receive, the less I’ll be valued in the marketplace, and that my income will suffer as a result.

Given this bias, we all have choices about what compromises we’re willing to make to stay marketable and keep our jobs. Should I have an eyelift? Should I do Botox and fillers to maintain my status and income? But even as we take steps to erase the effects of aging, we understand deep down that aging will inevitably catch up one day. How much will it affect our careers? Navigating all this is something we face as professional women over fifty.

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