Like many of us, until my forties, I had gone through life feeling rather invincible. Not only was it inconceivable that something bad could ever happen to me, even my very mortality seemed suspect. Then, when I started feeling creaks and aches in bones I hadnapostrophet thought about since anatomy class in medical school, it made me reluctantly concede that I actually was mortal - or even worse - getting older.
Yet, now, as I close in on fifty, Iapostropheve made an even more shocking discovery: I just donapostrophet care. Iapostrophem learning that there is so much that is surprisingly, gloriously and wondrously liberating about the half-century mark.
Whatapostrophes So Liberating About Turning 50
For example, what woman hasnapostrophet gone through life wishing she could just lose five or even ten pounds? Nearing fifty, I just… donapostrophet… care! I used to adhere to that universal female delusional calculus that calories donapostrophet count when snatched from a husbandapostrophes plate. Now, itapostrophes "Yes! I WILL have fries with that!"
Since I had gone low carb several years before, the pounds had crept up again, largely because I now insist on having a glass or two of wine with dinner. An informal and utterly unscientific, but no less persuasive poll of my female contemporaries reveals that, for some reason, nightly wine with dinner seems to be a right of passage for middle-aged women unto itself.
Perhaps in the case of baby boomer women, the suddenly innate, undeniable thirst for a nightly nip also serves a humane purpose that anesthetizes us against the pain of getting older.
In any event, when I could no longer fit into my favorite pair of jeans, I started thinking perhaps I should go back on a two week induction period. I had thoughts of severely limiting my carbs so I can achieve rapid weight loss. So, I reread the good doctor Atkinsapostrophe book to refamiliarize myself with the process.
"Is he insane?" I cried out loud in the bookstore. "No alcoholic beverages? Not even wine? For two whole weeks?" I decided to keep the poundage and toss the jeans. And, that was the beginning of my liberation, for rather than despair, I found myself rejoicing: I get to go shopping!
How My Newfound Freedom Progressed Admirably.
Who needs to dress up and put on makeup, just for leaving the house?
Not me.
No one looks at me anymore, anyway. Not that I ever used to be a head turner, but just by virtue of youth, I got a few, secretly cherished, second glances. Now, rather than feel badly Iapostrophem being ignored, I love it! I go out without makeup, wearing ratty clothes (which some might term, "pajamas") all the time. No one notices. Who hasnapostrophet fantasized about what he or she could do if rendered invisible?
Why Iapostrophem Excited to Turn 50 - And So Should You
I always thought Iapostrophed hate turning fifty, but now that itapostrophes looming, I canapostrophet wait! What else will I discover that I donapostrophet care about? Unfortunately, for my long suffering husband, understandably horrified at this turn of events, men donapostrophet seem to enjoy the same sense of liberation as they age. Perhaps itapostrophes because they have far less to be liberated from. After all, society has always placed so much more of a premium on womenapostrophes looks.
Gentlemen, payback is a b----!
About the author:
Psychiatrist Doreen Orion is an award-wining writer and author of the hilarious QUEEN OF THE ROAD: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus With a Will of Its Own. Check out how Doreen liberates herself by choosing the unconventional road with all the ruts and wrong turns along the way. For a free sneak preview of the book & videos of her adventures go to http://www.queenoftheroadthebook.com/