6 Awesome Reasons to Love Being a Woman Over 40

I had a birthday marking the passage of another decade this year, and like so many others before me, found myself reflecting on the fertile question of “what’s next?”

I’m told that our 40’s and 50’s are when we women are supposed to find our mojo, so I figured it was time to start living life out loud as instructed and build my own bucket list.

As I Googled exotic adventures and considered what’s next, I remembered what so many other 50-somethings shared as I joined their ranks: “You learn to not give a shit about what other people think.”

So I wondered, what else should I give up? If I’m going to not give a shit about what other people think, maybe the second half isn’t so much about what we want to do, but what we won’t do anymore.

I came up with this: The Anti-Bucket List for Women.

1. Cease considering the latest rules to follow or ignore when opening the closet.

I’ll wear whatever the hell I want to, when I want to. Honestly, if it fits me, doesn’t embarrass me and makes me happy, I’m going to wear it.

There’s no red carpet to walk down lined with eyes of scrutiny and if you find yourself on one, see #2 below.

2. Realize there’s nothing more to prove — to anyone.

If they can’t see for themselves how smart, caring and amazing I am, don’t expect me to tap dance to prove it.

Stop dancing for others.

3. Lay down the sword of superior strength.

I’ve supported myself since I was 12 years old, there’s no more need to prove my strength. If a man or woman wants to take care of me, treat me like a queen and spoil me rotten, I’ll accept it with gratitude.

I’ve learned that accepting does not make me weak or needy, nor does it require I give up any control in life.

Receptivity has nothing to do with character strength.

4. Remove the anxiety and rock the raunchy.

I’ll light a candle, turn down the lights and put my wiggly, jiggly, fabulous body parts into whatever makes me feel sexy.

If the thought of this makes you cringe, see #5 below.

5. Leave your homeland — or at least the borders of its stereotypes.

Women in other countries rock their femininity regardless of thigh size or birth year.
America’s body shape fashion rules continue to be saluted with a well-manicured middle finger in most countries outside the USA.

Reject the ridiculous rules of size and age when it comes to defining what’s sexy.

6. Curb the comparison.

There’s always going to be another woman who’s smarter, sexier, more successful and probably more entertaining than I am.

The caveat? There’s no other woman on the planet with my exact combo.

Celebrating your unique recipe of flawed perfection allows those around you to appreciate the exotic flavor of you.

I hoped to come up with a list of 10 to share, but then again, I remembered #2.

Post with permission Daily Transformations

photo via Flickr Walt Stoneburner

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Source: Huffington Post Women