My Birthday: The Big 6-0

ByDr. Z

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” — Lauren DeStefano

Well, hell’s bells! In two days, on October 3rd, I will turn 60. The big 6-0. How do I feel? Blessed. Grateful. Nostalgic. Excited. Dr. Z, shouldn’t you be thinking about retiring, knitting baby booties, and watching Jeopardy? Nope, although I admit that lately I’ve been sentimental.

I went to Pacific Beach and listened to the waves, breathed in the scent of salt and beginnings in the air, and the memories flooded me of my childhood, taking my children to play, and surfing in my 30s. Love, Dr. Z, Doctor of Disruption.

60 Times Around the Sun

I ain’t gonna lie, turning 60 feels B-I-G, but I thought 40 and 50 were monumental, too. What I’m saying is, it’s a matter of perspective. Listen, the irony is not lost on me. Through my life’s work, I fight against ageism (and sexism) while talking about ages. Don’t you see? I’ve fallen prey to the status quo putting us into categories. These “boxes” make us fight against each other, Baby Boomers vs. Gen Z. What if we realized we ALL experience the same sh!t? Once we understand this, we can come together and disrupt the stories they sell and tell about us by telling our own.

The Time is Now

I spent too many years, decades, focused on the past and worried about the future. My childhood created my reptilian brain: fight, flight, or freeze. I found ways to control my world (or so I thought), so that bad things wouldn’t happen. False narrative. Here’s my sage advice: 1) Don’t believe the bullshit we’ve been fed that we can do it all; 2) You are worthy and loved; 3) Share your stories with us. It’s the only way to disrupt the status quo narratives; and, 4) Support other women in your life personally and professionally. There are easy ways to do this, including answering these questions: 1) What brings you joy? 2) What energizes you? 3) If you had all the time and resources you needed, what would you do? 4) What matters right now? and 5) I’ve always wanted to be [fill in the blank].

Embrace Your Narrative

As we all celebrate another trip around the sun, let’s unite in rewriting the narrative that society has scripted for us. Our stories are the fabric of this community, and your unique narrative has the power to inspire, uplift, and challenge the status quo. This is a call to embrace the wisdom that comes with age, to celebrate our shared experiences, and to support one another in this beautiful journey.

Share Your Story: Your experiences are the key to fostering a community of understanding and acceptance. Share your story with us, and let the world know the truth about aging gracefully.

Engage in Our Community: Connect with other like-minded individuals who are also on a mission to challenge stereotypes and create a new narrative for women over 50.

Explore Our Resources: Delve into our wealth of resources designed to empower, enlighten, and entertain. From blog posts to events, discover a variety of content that resonates with your journey.