Age with Audacity

At 25, I imagined life at 50 would mean I’d be past my prime and grumpy.  Little did I know, when I turned 50, I’d experience both the joys and challenges of running and managing our own Filipino restaurant for two years.  I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons learned—it was my first entrepreneurial venture.  At 51, I met my soulmate, and by 52, we were living together.  I also began writing articles for my column, “Maria in Vancouver,” in Canada’s largest newspaper and news website, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer. At age 54, I got engaged and married my soulmate the same year.  

Photo courtesy of the author.

Now at 57, I’m managing our fitness club business and selling gym memberships, working full-time six days a week.  This allows me to exercise and work out five times a week, and eat healthier.  I feel at peace and live a contented life, surrounded by love from my unico hijo, my husband, and my sisterhood tribe—a small group of women I choose to be my sisters.  I’m also still working on achieving a few dreams and goals that I hope to turn into reality. 

Life certainly didn’t end in my 50s. In fact, I’m living my best life!  It’s never too late to become the person you aspire to be.  You can’t be too early or too late to be of worth or take action in your life.  As long as you’re alive, it’s always the right time. 

Embracing one’s age with audacity means rejecting the quiet fading away that accompanies it. Instead, it’s about living boldly, passionately, and unapologetically.  This involves defying societal expectations of seniors, taking risks, pursuing passions, and living authentically with confident, shameless courage.

Photo courtesy of the author.

A woman’s life is a tapestry of many faces.  It’s like we need more than one hairstyle; our lives undergo countless transformations.  We triumph, we falter, we learn, and we grow, seeing the world through different lenses and being seen through different eyes.  Be bold enough to speak your truth, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live your dream. 

Life is indeed short, and time flies by. There’s no way to replay or rewind; there’s even no pause button.  So, make sure you savour and treasure every moment with those you love, who love you back unconditionally.  Life humbles you. As you age, you’ll stop chasing the big things and start valuing the little ones.  Focus on alone time, enough sleep, a healthy diet, long walks, and quality time with loved ones.  Simplicity becomes your ultimate goal. 

In my mid-50’s, I’ve learned to age with gratitude and audacity by doing the following steps:

Photo courtesy of the author.

I EMBRACE MY NAUGHTY AND MISCHIEVOUS SELF! I’m a total glitter bomb! I love hosting intimate and fun parties for my closest friends.  I can’t resist a good laugh, and I enjoy being playful with my husband.  My life is filled with adventure, joy, and storytelling. I don’t ever see myself quietly aging and fading away. Laugh and love without reservation.  The greatest joys in life are loving others and finding humour in everyday moments.  Remember, life is short. Know this: You create your own destiny by the choices you make in life. You are the storyteller of your own life story, so make it a beautiful story by living your life to the fullest!

Photo courtesy of the author.

PUSHING MY LIMITS. I enjoy taking risks and trying new things, like starting a new career or picking up a hobby later in life such as writing for my lifestyle column.  It helps me step out of my comfort zone. At 52, I switched careers from the restaurant industry to the fitness industry.  I’ve been running and managing the sales department of my husband’s fitness club, which has been in business for over 45 years. At 57, I’m still working and continually evolving to become the best version of myself! God willing, my goal is to evolve again into another career path in my 60’s. I have my eyes set on a certain industry which requires me to go back to school and take courses. I don’t think I’ll ever retire. I’m a self-confessed workaholic.

Photo courtesy of the author.

LIVING AUTHENTICALLY. I don’t regret anything in my life.  Every good and bad experience has shaped me into who I am today.  Even though I’m not perfect, I’m real. Being true to ourselves and being genuine reminds us that it’s perfectly okay to be human. We don’t hide our flaws or pretend to be perfect; instead, we embrace our imperfections.  This honesty teaches us to value truth over appearances, making life feel easier.  We don’t have to guess or second-guess others’ intentions, fostering trust and peace that everyone deserves.

Photo courtesy of the author.

CHOOSING MY CIRCLE WISELY. At my age, I’ve learned from past experiences that people enter our lives for a reason, but they don’t always stay.  It’s important to be realistic and accept that some relationships end, not because of bad behaviour or conflicts, but simply because we grow apart.  Friendships and even family relationships can end unexpectedly as we mature and discover our true selves.  The people around you should shape your life.  Surround yourself with inspiring, uplifting, and caring individuals.  When everyone succeeds together, success feels more significant, and happiness feels deeper.  Upgrade your circle by eliminating those who thrive on gossip, drama, and negativity.  Small-minded people often talk about others, usually behind their backs.  Remember, what Susan says about Annie says more about Susan than about Annie.  Fill your conversations with ideas and inspiration, not gossip and negativity.  That’s how growth happens.

A woman with a small circle is incredibly secure. I’ve learned that quality matters more than quantity and doesn’t need a crowd to validate my worth. My confidence comes from within, not from external approval.  I’m not afraid to stand alone because I know my strength. I’m selective with my energy and choose who I let into my life.  I’m so done with drama and gossip and have walked away from it all. Since entering my 5th decade, I’ve built a peaceful, drama-free life and am happier for it.  I don’t need to be surrounded by people to feel complete; I’m comfortable in my own company.  I understand that true friends are rare and value a few genuine connections over many superficial ones.  My small inner circle consists of people I can truly trust, those who have proven their loyalty.  I don’t waste time on meaningless relationships, knowing my time is precious and I spend it wisely.  I’m a woman who knows what she wants and won’t settle for anything less.

Photo courtesy of the author.

LIVING MY LIFE ACCORDING TO MY OWN TERMS. As a woman, mother, wife, and businesswoman, my recipe for a peaceful life is doing what works best for me. I don’t compare myself to others, I don’t copy them, and I don’t watch or stalk them. I stay focused on my own path, confident in my own journey.  I genuinely celebrate others’ successes and good fortune, which further enhances my own. I support others, especially women, because that’s what kind and confident women do. However, I’m not a doormat and walk away from those who belittle me or emanate negativity. I avoid unnecessary conflicts, even familial ones, that won’t be resolved. My goal isn’t to please or be liked; honestly, others’ opinions don’t pay my bills. So, I choose to be unbothered and focus on the positive aspects of my life.  The best self-care I ever did was walking away from those who drain my energy, and because of this, I’m happier and more at peace than ever. 

The secret to aging beautifully and with audacity is to enjoy living—to embrace each moment with joy, to find beauty in the simple things, and to fill your days with laughter and love. It’s not about counting the years but making every year count. When you live fully, with an open heart and a grateful spirit, age becomes just a number, and your spirit remains timeless. Every day I whisper these words to myself: “To the woman I was, I love you. To the woman I am, I’m proud of you. To the woman I’ll become, I’m excited for you!”