I'm not big on commemorating birthdays, but for the last few years, I go jumping in nature, simply because being in nature is my happy place, and I celebrate ageing. Tonight though was the latest walk in the woods that I've ever taken, and I almost didn't get to capture any photos, because besides getting dark, my eyesight is nothing like it used to be and I forgot to take my glasses and could not see anything on my camera. Still, I decided to jump to celebrate life, and that is the proof above.
It's been a slow and quiet day, as the last few days have been, and I've been meditating and thinking just what turning 47 years means to me.
A few hours before going in the woods, I'd gone for a hilly walk through the neighbourhood with hubby and our mate to a local pub. Hubby insisted and made the effort to treat me to a lovely lunch, which was highly appreciated.
It was a pleasant walk downhill, and quite a treacherous uphill walk back, which was a struggle after a heavy meal.
My appetite was kicking, so I opted for a stack of ribs, which was as tender and juicy as they look. I unashamedly left nothing but the bones and cutlery on this plate.
It was already 8:30 PM when I arrived in the woods, on a dim sunset night. The light was quickly disappearing, so I decided to just sit quietly on a nearby bench and I tried to operate my camera the best I could via a mobile app.
Reflecting on the last twenty years, it seems like it was just yesterday that I'd turned 27. I grew up in a culture where women's age was often compared to the monthly calendar, and women were constantly teased that soon they would drop off the calendar (a sell-by date of 31). There continues to be so much pressure on women to marry and have kids by a certain age as if that's a woman's sole purpose in society... and then what...?
I tend to place little emphasis on my chronological age because it is not an honest reflection of how I feel on the inside. When I take great care of myself and include a full exercise regime and a good diet, I can feel as young as 25 years of age. However, if I go for long periods being less active, I sometimes feel as old as I imagine a 90-year-old might feel. Whereas emotionally and mentally I think I lie somewhere between 32 and 38 because I feel young at heart and my attitude and mindset help to keep me young.
I'm not as active as I used to be, but I'm making changes to that because I enjoy fitness activities, and also because it's vital now that I'm 3 years shy of 50.
I'll digress a little: I don't mean to flatter myself, but a few days ago, I stumbled upon some old topless photos I took in 2008. I then reenacted those photos in 2020, and I did a side-by-side comparison and the only pronounced difference was my hair colour, which had blond highlights in 2020.
Seeing those photos motivated me to get more physical. They also made me think that I should start examining my body more frequently with the purpose to observe things like bone density and the suppleness of joints and mobility overall.
So I'm enjoying this as I type and somehow it's not having a terrible effect on my mind or anything.
As I'm ageing comfortably, I'll proactively educate myself on what women my age might experience, as I think having a full understanding and knowing what to expect, is key in all phases of life, and in our abilities to accept and overcome any challenges that we might face.
How do you feel about getting older? Is it something that you dread, or are you open-minded and optimistic about the process?
Thanks for stopping by and for being part of my journey around the sun!
All images were taken by me on July 21, 2023, in Newton Abbot, Devon UK. Pub lunch was at The Barn Owl.
