We all know growing older does not necessarily mean being old. Many older people are leading active lives and proving that age is just a number. However, women tend to hold onto certain ideas and it’s harder for us to shake them. Let’s look at some common life mistakes women over 50 tend to make in different aspects.
Life Mistakes Often Made By Women over 50
Health:
1. Ignoring our heart health.
We often associate heart issues with men, but in fact, heart-related issues are the #1 killer among women. In 2015 the CDC put out a statement stating a woman’s heart age is typically five years older than her chronological age. So, see your doctor and make certain your heart is healthy.
>READ: 9 HEART HEALTHY FOODS THAT PROTECT AGAINST HEART DISEASE
2. Menopause miseries
They are something we must live with. Many women think we must just endure the misery of menopause and make the best of it. This is not true. Today there are so many options to help minimize the menopause miseries. Options range from prescriptions, certain diets and exercise to homeopathic treatments.
>READ: WHAT YOUR OB/GYN WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSE
3. Assuming Weight Gain is Inevitable
Don’t think we can’t do anything about gaining weight as we get older. It is true that a certain amount of weight gain will happen as we age. This is due to our body’s metabolism and other issues changing. See your doctor and find out what is a healthy weight for you. Once this is established then work to keep off any extra pounds that may occur. The important thing is to accept some weight gain is natural, but gaining a lot is not a given.
>READ: DON’T LET THE DOWNSIDE OF MENOPAUSE “WEIGH” ON YOU
>DISCOVER: PLATE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR WOMEN OVER 50
Dating:
4. Date to find our perfect mate
We are taught the result of dating is to find your mate. I mean, why else date, right? Wrong. Certainly, we all want to find someone to share our life with (even a second, third time around), but dating can also be just for fun. Some women may be looking for a future spouse and some may only want a companion. Either way, date and have fun!
>READ: DATING TO DATE OR MATE – DATING RELATIONSHIPS AFTER 50
5. True love is over
Opposite of above … you could think you’ve had your one true love and there is no one else out there. Women are conditioned to believe we only have one fairytale prince and once we lose him, we have to be alone. We believe no one else can take his place. If our love passed away, women often feel guilty if they find someone new and deny themselves the chance at another love. It is ok to love again. Loving someone else does not mean you love your first spouse any less.
>READ: FINDING LOVE IN YOUR PRIME
Sex:
6. Our sex life is over at a certain age
As we age, the frequency of sex may change, but doesn’t mean our sex life has to end altogether. A recent study showed that people in the 60s, 70s and 80s are leading active sex lives. Some are having sex several times a week.
>READ: EXPECT A BETTER SEX LIFE ONCE YOU GET OLDER
7. Sex will be uncomfortable
Uncomfortable sex due to menopause changes can be helped. Consult with your doctor. Many options are now available that can allow a continued healthy and enjoyable sex life.
>READ: COULD YOUR SEX LIFE IMPROVE WITH A FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER TREATMENT?
Hair, Make-up and Fashion:
8. Hairstyles must be short
Why think the older we get, the shorter our hair must be? Often, we associate older age with short hair. When determining the appropriate length of your hair for your age, consider these two things:
A) if your hair is thinning then a shorter hairstyle with layers and depth is a better choice
B) if your hair is long, the longer the length the older we may look. Stylists state that a length longer than about 2” below the shoulder may make us look older than we really are.
>READ: THE BEST HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 50
9. Grey must be covered
This is so far from the truth. Take a browse at any website for women over 50 (like this one!) and you will see just how beautiful women are with their natural grey hair.
10. Dressing younger
Many women make the mistake of trying to appear or feel younger by dressing younger. Today the fashion options for older women are wonderful so there is no need to dress like a 30-year-old.
>READ FASHION OVER 50: IT’S A FINE LINE
Work:
11. Turning down jobs in new areas
Older job seekers often pass on great jobs because it isn’t exactly what they did before. Do not limit yourself. Look at the possibilities this new job may bring. View your skills as transferable and try something new.
>READ: HOW TO TRANSITION TO A NEW CAREER
12. Rejecting social media
A lack of social presence can hinder your job search or possibilities. Most job recruiters and companies use social media avenues such as LinkedIn, Monster and other tools to find candidates. So, go get a digital presence!
>READ: GOING SOCIAL WITH YOUR PERSONAL BRANDING
Misperceptions of What Older Means
As a sociologist, I teach my students that we are not only socialized as young children but throughout our entire life span. As we move through the stages in life, we learn new social norms or what is supposed to be good, bad, right or wrong for that stage or place in time. However, society often dictates some misconceptions of what is expected of us as we get older especially for women. As society grows with new knowledge, technology and capabilities, our lives have greatly improved. However, society’s mentality of what life is like for an older person hasn’t quite caught up with the advancements it’s made. This is known as culture lag. Culture lag is that time in which the nonmaterial culture (ideas, beliefs, etc.) have not caught up with the material conditions of society. But you don’t need to let their limited beliefs lead you to make life mistakes which hold you back.
Don’t Limit Yourself
Ladies let go of the “old” ways of thinking. Don’t be limited by making these and other life mistakes which we have been conditioned to think. We are what we think so think yourself bold, courageous, beautiful and worthy!
>READ: OLD WIVES TALES: THE MANY MYTHS ABOUT WOMEN OVER FIFTY
>READ: WHAT (REALLY) GOES INTO LIFE OVER 50 THAT WORKS: SETTING BOUNDARIES IS SELF-CARE
