For ages I’ve been super excited about turning 50. Not least of which is because I feel fantastic having survived the worst that Menopause had to throw at me. I’ve settled on my course of action with HRT & I’m not planning on quitting any time soon. Next up I really must add an exercise regimen to my health & fitness plan. Lulu made me promise I’d live to one hundred, can’t break a promise to a seven year old now can I?
Nope I was never worried about turning fifty, disbelief is more like it. In fact I still can’t actually believe I am fifty. I mean I literally think I’m somewhere between 35 & 40 most days. Even though I cannot read a bloody word in front of me without glasses! Not even on a bad day when I’ve been up to wee ten times through the night – Still not fifty! Perhaps it’s because fifty looked much older on previous generations? Fifty year old women were planning their imminent retirement & letting their hair go grey. I’m planning blogosphere world domination & having fillers! Of course many of us Gen Xers had our babies much later which has undoubtedly kept us young. Equally those of my friends who chose not to have kids at all are now clearly showing the health benefits. Indeed physical & mental health or Wellness as we’re calling it, have become part of our daily lives. Continuing advancements in science have also given us so many second chances that weren’t there before. Detecting cancers at an incredibly early stage for effective treatment & getting closer to the cures of age related diseases all in aid of longevity. It genuinely makes me wonder how far we truly can go. I suppose the children of millennial’s will think 70 is a spring chicken?
LEAVING MY FORTIES WITH RENEWED VERVE
The more I learn the less I know or whatever Aristotle said. Has never been more true for me than it is today. In my twenties I knew EVERYTHING. I mean I did, seriously. Oh boy what a pain in the butt salad I must have been, sorry Dad? That’s how it goes I suppose although I will have three twenty-somethings to deal with at once so that’s pay back right? Moving on to the next decade in my thirties. It was a time of knuckling down to hard work & toil, cementing my career whilst simultaneously wrecking myself on the London nightlife scene. Ah those were fun fearless times…For what I can recall.
Suddenly I’m 38, I’m dating a nice guy so I think yeah ok let’s have a baby & get married. It sounded like a good idea at the time….
And so it was my 40’s that became a decade of incredible highs & lows that is the dichotomy of marriage & child-rearing. There were some very dark days following endless nights of rocking my crying baby to sleep. What’s more I suddenly became fearful of everything. Afraid for my child, for the future of the planet, of being a bad Mother & Wife. Coupled with terrible arguments between Mark & I, each feeling under enormous pressure & alone. It was just the two of us. We were always tired & often resentful. Did you ever have those stupid arguments when the children were little over who slept the least? There was no respite for us, we had no support yet we went on to have two more babies! What kind of madness is this? I should call it the decade of insanity!
Of course there are many happy memories from that time too. Fortunately at some point we both decided we wanted our family to work out so we worked at it. Yes hard work it was indeed. Coming from divorced parents who actually hated each other I was under no illusion that marriage was easy. Nor was I naïve to the terrible cost warring parents leave on their children. Thankfully things improved as time went by & we both became kinder to one another. After all it was just us, there was no safety net of parents so we had little choice & I think in the end that’s what saved us. Now here we are happy, content even, a very tight family unit about to embark on another adventure… But that is another blog post.
SHOP PEOPLE TREE FOR V&A
People Tree is a sustainable & fair trade British label that I’ve mentioned to you before here. Today I’m wearing trousers from their sensational collaboration with The V&A MUSEUM one of my top 5 museums in the world. If you’ve not been please do yourself a favour & go next time you’re in London. Even if they’re not showing a special exhibition the permanent one is awesome as is the architecture of the building itself.
CLEVER FOLDAWAY SHOES FOR TIRED FEET
How do you like my birthday feet? I’m so lucky Cocorose London gifted these sensational sparkly shoes on my birthday! If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on a bed of nails after a long day (or night) on your feet these will be for you. Cocorose have designed a foldaway shoe with a proper soul that will fit in your handbag for later. The thing is though, they’re actually gorgeous for every day too. So comfy & pretty are mine that I’ve been wearing them almost continuously since they arrived! They’re available in an infinite array of styles from simple chic ballets & loafers to funky foldable boots!
These will be perfect for my seven hour flight to New York this Thursday. Yes exciting isn’t it? You can follow my adventure on Instagram Stories later this week. Lot’s of fun & games coming up for Lisa & I as we do our very own version of Sex & The City. Ahem that’s basically The City then…teeheehee
FEELING GRATEFUL & BELIEVING
Periodically looking back on my life is the healthy way I learn from my mistakes. However fixating on the past is not a good idea at all, it prevents us moving forward. Something that will ultimately happen anyway. The saying is true, time does move on, whether you move on with it is what matters. So even if you do nothing things will keep on changing & that my friend is the rub. Learning to go with the flow is the hardest lesson of my life yet ultimately the most important because when I do this, I have faith in the outcome. That’s not to say I sit back & allow things to happen around me. Hell no! Of course I work my arse off to make a success of my life, my family & my career. If I feel there’s an injustice or something needs doing, I will go ahead & do it. Whether that’s a protest march or picking up litter I’m not going to sit by & leave it for someone else to deal with. What I’m talking about is the belief in myself that things will work out. This is a deep core faith that I’ve made the right choices, done my best so I believe in the future whatever that is. Sure it may not be exactly how I pictured it, probably won’t be but that is absolutely ok because I know I can handle it. Being able to go with the flow & change with the situation is the faith I have in myself. Not fate & not god.
Something wonderful is happening to me, I’m becoming the person I am supposed to be & I believe the best is yet to come.
Thank you all darling friends for your beautiful, kind & caring birthday wishes xxx
Comments ( 28 )
Charlie
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy weeks and weeks of birthday joy – as long as you can stretch it I always think. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m approaching the significant umber birthday too and am not as disappointed or anxious as I think I should be. What histories, what stories, what lessons we have eh? Love the look and I can’t believe how gorgeous those fold-away shoes are. I will have to have a look into those.
Happy Birthday!
Charlie
MT
Thanks so much Charlie! And Happy almost Birthday to you too. Yes you’re right, we have earned our age, all of us xx
Lizzy
Michelle, my beautiful friend, this is. such a heartfelt post. Brava on bringing up your three gorgeous, well-adjusted children. It isn’t easy. You haven’t had it easy. But you made informed, intelligent choices. Your hard work, your dedication, your passion and your beliefs will bring you continued success and I salute you. Here’s to the next fifty. And you don’t look a day I’ve 35 as the rest of The Iver 40 Collective will atttest xxxxx
MT
Thank you darling Liz, your words mean a great deal to me as does your friendship xx
SAmantha
You’ve always been a trailblazer Chelle! Keep showing us how it’s done!
MT
Aw shucks Sammy, I don’t know about that but I love ya for saying it xxx
ABby@Midlifecrisisnut
Happy Birthday Hot Babe! You can say whatever Michelle but unless you show me your birth certificate there’s no way in the world that you just turned 50 😉 I so enjoyed your today’s post. I mean I really loved learning much about you and your family. And you’re so right on so many points. Big hugs and kisses from your dear friend! xx Abby
MT
Teeheehee I love that Abby! And thank you my sweet girlfriend xxx
Rozanne
A great post Michelle, I really enjoyed reading it, and the sentiments behind it. I greatly admire your determination and resilience and it goes without saying that I wish you every possible success going forward. Excited to see how your blog will continue to evolve as a source of real (and relatable) inspiration. X
MT
Thank you so much Rozanne. It’s you & people like you who encourage me with their kindness, keep me moving forward. I’m constantly working hard to improve all aspects of RCM both technically & artistically but without you it’d be entirely pointless. Big hugs honey xx
Lazy daisy jones
Happy birthday to a fellow libran !
Ashley x
MT
Thanks mate! When is your day girlfriend? xx
sara delaney
Looking good lady! Happy Bday and big love from a fellow oldie
xxx
MT
Thanks Mama! xx
No Fear of Fashion
What a lovely sentimental post. I went from Oh.. to Ah.. to Ahhhh, sweet.
I am so glad you are in a good place with your whole family. Great that you worked on that. And it paid off.
The trousers you are wearing are fantastic. Too bad I have already spent more money than I can afford. Yes I know you will tell me off for this. What can I say? I am weak. And an encouraging husband didn’t help.
Greetje
MT
Thanks gorgeous woman xx
sequinist
Oh my beautiful friend. I’m with Abby, without seeing a birth certificate, I refuse to believe it either. I’m so proud of everything you have done, because nothing has been handed to you on a plate. I’m proud of your ethics and decision making around every purchase you make, and I’m so glad of the way you walk through this world… conscious, aware, considered, and thinking of the the earth and the other people on it.
I think your eco-conscious voice is MUCH needed in the consumer-heavy world of blogging, and I’m glad that you are a very glamorous ambassador for this cause. You make 50 look fabulous and you make mindful consuming look EVEN better. All my love to you. xx
MT
Aw shucks mate, thanks xxx
nancy
Oh well, I am only 38………for 13 years now…….
When I say it out loud it sounds horrible, but I feel great!
And you look fabulous and I think you have more energy then many 20 ers!
MT
Ah I see what you did there Nancy, very clever xx
Suzy Turner
Such a lovely post, Michelle! I still can’t believe you’re 50 either… mind you, 50 is so young these days, isn’t it? It’s a world away from previous generations! I’ve always looked forward to my birthdays too… I couldn’t wait to hit 40! And I am loving it… although I’ve realised lately I’m being a bit lazy and need to knuckle down and get some work done. Procrastination is my biggest downfall!!
So you’re headed to New York?! I’m so excited about that because we’re headed that way in January. I can’t wait to read all about your trip. I’d love to hear your advice about where to visit and so on!
But for now, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again… I hope you’re taking the whole year to celebrate!
Big hugs
Suzy xxx
http://www.suzyturner.com
MT
Thank you Suzy! I’m so excited for you going to NYC, is it your first time?
Now about my New York Posts – Two are just outfit shoots we did there but the third I planned is on the second-hand designer shops or “consignment” shops as they call them. I didn’t really have enough time to do the touristy thing although I do have plans for that early next year….stay tuned 😉
xx
Renia
Happy Birthday again dear!! I would never guess you may be 50… to me, you look like you are 25 <3
Beautiful post and beautiful photos!
Love and Kisses
Renia
MT
Thanks Renia, 25 wowszers you’re very generous! xxx
Kat | kitty & B
Well, first of all happy birthday! Second of all, the reason you feel as though you’re 35 is because that’s the age you look! Incredible! Loved reading this and totally agree with periodically looking back. How else will you see how far you’ve come! Pretty sure 50 is the new 30 anyway!
🎈
Kat x
MT
I’m happy to call fifty the new thirty Kat 😉 And thank you so much for your lovely comment & warm wishes xx
Fabulous Miss K
How true – I am now 53 and never felt better – I have always had my own style being a vintage lover since my teens now I feel so much more confident to wear what ever I want and not give a damn. I truly think that we get better with age – Happy Birthday and here’s to being Fabulous at Fifty!!
MT
Yay you Karen! It’s so great to hear other women say they feel fabulous at fifty+! xx