The Wall Street Journal published a great article on May 8, 2019 by Ellen Gamerman about women entering their 50Plus years. They want to do it “their way”, not the way people say they “should” do it. Women readers actively seek honest accounts written by others who struggle with midlife; female writers respond with compelling and inspiring books.
Do it your way
Ms. Gamerman states, “As a new wave of women step into their mid-centuries and beyond, they’re looking to chart a course for the second part of their lives that looks different from the one their mothers knew. This spring and summer, books by women look at midlife as a time to start over, take risks and view themselves in the world as anything but invisible.”
This is an exciting time for women over 50, many of whom worked in imposing roles in the U.S. For example, Melinda Gates, 54, wrote her book “The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.” which hit the best seller lists. Michelle Obama, age 55, wrote her blockbuster memoir, “Becoming.” “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell, 60, returns in August with her autobiographical novel, “Is There Still Sex in the City?” (The answer is an emphatic yes.)
Be excited to start this new phase of life
Former Oprah Winfrey Network co-president Sheri Salata wrote her debut novel, “The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation,”, where she describes aging out of the 25 to 54 bracket, which is known to be an important target audience for advertisers by the television industry. “All around us, the message is the same: You’re done,” writes Ms. Salata. Instead, she decides to put all her energy into following a “happiness compass” to guide her midlife reinvention.
Ellen Gamerman writes “One of the best-known modern bibles on aging, “Passages” by Gail Sheehy, is itself middle-aged at 43 years old. In the decades since it came out, women have written other best sellers on life’s later stages, from Nora Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman” in 2006 to Roz Chast’s 2014 personal story about caring for her elderly parents, “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?”
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Women 50plus today are vibrant, active and young. They absolutely lead full and meaningful lives. These new books offer fresh perspectives and inspiration related to the issue of aging for women. Let us know if you’ve read any of those listed above and others you recommend!
Write to Ellen Gamerman at ellen.gamerman@wsj.com
Learning to play the Harp at 61. I have never played an instrument nor do I how to read music! What a great challenge this is.
How great! Let us know how it goes!
Love this!! I’m almost 53 and on a Mountain Biking team, about to turn up the volume on my riding and performance. I also play indoor volleyball and am very active. I love my age! I truly believe that 50 is the the new 30.
Agreed! You sound like you make the most of your life!
Thank you for posting about that article. As a 48 year old woman who just started kiteboarding three years ago, I definitely agree that a woman can remain vibrant and active, meaningful lives!
Kiteboarding! Good for you!