Sixty, Sassy, and Still Shining
Last week, I turned 60. And as I celebrated my 60th birthday, I couldn’t help but look back on my life with a sense of pride and gratitude. It hasn’t always been easy; there have been trials, tribulations, wins, and losses. But every experience, every encounter, has shaped me into the woman I am today.
In my teens and twenties, my family often dictated what I should aspire to be, how I should look, and what life should look like. But as I grew older, I realised that these familial and societal pressures were not the truth, rather, they were barriers to my self-discovery. This realisation was the beginning of my empowerment journey.
In my thirties and forties, I experienced the push and pull of balancing career, family, and personal growth. There were countless times when I felt overwhelmed, questioning my strength and capability. But each challenge turned into a stepping stone, each obstacle became an opportunity for growth.
My fifties were a period of profound transformation. I broke free from the societal norms that dictated that youth was the epitome of success. I embraced my age, my wisdom, my experiences, and my silver strands of hair. I realised that age is not a barrier, but a testament to our strength, resilience, and wisdom.
Now, at sixty, I am proud to say that I am more empowered than ever. I am confident, I am successful, and I am age-positive. I am living proof that age is just a number, and it does not define our worth or our ability to make a difference in the world.
Looking back on my life, I am proud of the obstacles I have overcome and the challenges I have faced. has been a journey of learning, growing and becoming. From breaking through the glass ceiling in my career to navigating the complexities of personal relationships, I have learned to embrace my strengths and weaknesses and to always strive for authenticity and integrity.
Turning 60 is a milestone that many people dread, but for me, it is a time to reflect on all that I have accomplished and all that I have yet to achieve. As the Founder of You Are Not Invisible After 50, I am constantly inspired by the women who I have met on the podcast and outside of it. Through the vehicle of YANIA50, I am reminded of the importance of lifting each other up and supporting one another in our journeys towards success and fulfilment. Although my 60th birthday has been and gone, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible women who have been part of my journey. To those who have inspired me, challenged me, supported me, and loved me. You have all played a part in shaping my life and my mission.
As I enter this new decade of my life, I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. I am eager to continue empowering women of all ages to embrace their true potential and to live their lives with passion and purpose. I am committed to creating a world where age is just a number and where women are celebrated for their wisdom, experience, and resilience.
And to all the women reading this, regardless of your age, remember that you are powerful, you are capable, and you are enough. Embrace your age, your wisdom, your experiences, and your journey. Let’s continue to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and redefine what it means to age.
Here’s to being 60 and fabulous, to a lifetime of empowerment and grace, and to many more decades of making a difference.