First, let me share some good news. Despite wars, economic upheavals and climate changes, global life expectancy has increased markedly over the past 70 years, from 45.7 years in 1950 to 72.6 years in 2019. Even with the drop caused by COVID-19, we are still outliving our parents and grandparents by a significant margin.
Today, living into the 90s or even the 100s is more likely than ever before, particularly with a commitment to making healthy life choices, to say nothing of large-scale improvements in healthcare, sustainability and infrastructure that also increase longevity at the societal level. The 50s, back in the day, were considered the sunset years of our careers. Professional advancement, learning new skills and challenging ourselves with engaging projects all seemed far less important when the goal was to coast for a few more years until punch-out time. Now, many of us extend our careers into our 60s or even 70s. We may do this out of a need for extra income in our later years, to evade boredom or because we simply enjoy the work too much to leave. Personally, I enjoy the chance to continuously learn and contribute within my field. Given this added career length, coasting is, for many people, no longer feasible or desirable. One thing that sometimes cows even seasoned, talented executives is the sense of working alongside people who are much younger than they are, in some cases, closer in age to their own children.
How is it possible to stay relevant and valued as a 50-something in a workplace dominated by young, energetic, digitally-savvy 20-something peers? For Human Resources in big corporations, it’s important to think about age gaps in a strategic way. If a company is hiring 20-somethings purely to save a buck on salaries, they’ve effectively chosen to participate in a race to the bottom. These departments need to look, instead, at hiring the right candidate, taking into account values, attitude and, perhaps most important, experience. A superficial perception of “fit with company culture” that is actually hidden ageism is not only unethical but will result in companies losing a significant competitive advantage. Rather than feeling intimidated by the youth or vitality or meme-fluency of their millennial and Generation Z colleagues, I remind them that this is a time to be courageous, to look at the experience, longevity, perspicacity and industry-insider status they themselves bring to the table.
They’re alive, they’re healthy, and they’re not actually leaving the workforce anytime soon, so what do they truly want to do? Particularly for seasoned entrepreneurs who have gained some financial stability, these later years may offer an opportunity to create that startup, that dream business they always imagined back when they were a cog in someone else’s machine. Or they could take on a role that perhaps seemed too dicey earlier in their career. Now is the time to experiment, to go out on a limb, take a risk and pursue a dream. I tell people, “You’re not 50; you’re 30, with 20 years of experience.” It’s a quippy line, but not without truth. However savvy and energetic younger employees may be, more senior employees with long-standing institutional knowledge and years of skill in their industry space will always be valuable.
I tell people, “You’re not 50; you’re 30, with 20 years of experience.”
This is a point I especially emphasise to women coming back to the traditional workforce after taking time to raise children; their skills, knowledge and determination have not lost value due to a hiatus. Any time you turn on the TV or check social media, you are barraged with adverts and messaging encouraging you to “fight” the ageing process. We’ve been trained to see ageing as an enemy that’s meant to be overcome rather than submitted to or accepted with grace, and that perspective has damaged countless people over the years. While it’s important to have the courage to change the things we can, it’s just as important to accept the things we can’t, with grace and dignity. You will enjoy ageing much more if you learn to accept your flaws and embrace your imperfections. We cannot fight time, and accepting the ageing process with humour and curiosity can go a long way toward easing the process.
As I write this article, I’m actually approaching a birthday. This one is a particularly “big” birthday; I am entering a new decade. However, rather than getting all mopey and depressed about getting old, I choose instead to follow the advice I give to my peer group, that is, to view it not as youth lost, but as experience gained. I’m taking the opportunity to evaluate what I’m doing, what I want to do in the next few years and how I can make these goals come to fruition. There’s a famous quote by author Richard Bach that, “Argue your limitations, and they’re yours.”
You’re only as old as you decide to be. Reaching a big age milestone can seem limiting, but in fact, it presents a host of new opportunities and open doors for people who are optimistic and ambitious enough to seek them and go through. Just recently, someone said that I shouldn’t tell my age as people wouldn’t know it by looking at me. Age, and the ageing process, is not something that I want to hide, shun, run away from or pretend doesn’t exist. It’s part of life’s journey. For those of you who say turning 50 means that our life is halfway over, get out of your rocking chairs and get back in the game of life. I have decided that turning 50 means that my life has officially taken a turn into awesomeness. You only live once, so I’m going to live this life, and when I die, I want to be able to thank God for the awesome ride that he blessed me with. If I’ve been granted enough time on this earth to experience wrinkles, grey hair, aches and pains and every negative thing associated with the passage of time and ageing, I want to embrace it.
Ageing also has many benefits that far outweigh its physical markings, such as self-awareness, confidence, peace of mind, patience and acceptance. Turning the journey to fifty is paved with countless memories, shared with friends and family. These moments are the threads that weave the fabric of my life, creating a tapestry rich with colour and texture. 50 is a milestone that feels both monumental and serene. It’s an age where we often find ourselves standing at the crossroads of reflection and anticipation, looking back at the path we’ve travelled and forward to the journey that still awaits. It’s a time to celebrate the lessons learned, the wisdom gained, the memories cherished, and the promise of the years to come. Reaching the age of 50 means we have likely experienced a vast array of life’s highs and lows. The challenges faced and the triumphs celebrated have all contributed to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
With the wisdom and experience gained, the future looks bright. There is continued opportunity for growth, maturity, and to become a better version of myself each and every day. The next 50 years are a blank canvas, ready to be painted with new adventures and experiences. The relationships built over the past five decades will continue to flourish, and I look forward to opportunities to form new ones. There is joy and fervent anticipation in knowing that I have the power to shape this part of my life with the same vigour and enthusiasm as before. Whether it’s pursuing a new passion, changing careers, or finding love later in life, it’s never too late to start fresh. When serendipity brings new opportunities or relationships, embrace them fully, without fear of failure, judgment or societal backlash. The Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now,” says it all.
Many women like myself feel that after 50 is the best time of their lives. Why? Because we find liberation, we find our voice; we find our confidence, our identity, and stop worrying about what others think. It is important for women who are entering this new age to have a network of friends or sisters who understand. Women need to hold each other up, unconditionally support each other without judgment or competition, understand what the other is going through and share a good joke. The key is to see the change with new eyes and embrace the second half of life with a new spirit. It is never too late to reclaim our identities and wear the badge of honour, been there, done that, learned from it and are stronger for it. As I stand on the threshold of the next 50 years, I embrace the journey with open arms and an open heart. The best is yet to come.
The writer is an ex-banker and a columnist. She can be reached at tbjs. [email protected]