How to Feel Fully Fabulous Right Now—Day 1: Celebrate Your Expertise

Today I’m kicking off a 5-part series about simple things you can do to feel great about yourself and your age. I’m in balmy Southwest Florida, but half of the country is under a deep freeze, so let’s start with an activity you can do curled up on the couch in your sweatpants. Here it is: make a list of all the things you’re really good at.

This isn’t frivolous. The media constantly portrays aging as a decline in capability, especially for women. Women are seen as losing their looks, their ambition and their competency at ridiculously young ages. Remember CNN correspondent Don Lemon’s idiotic comment that Nikki Haley was past her prime—at age 51? I’m not even Republican and I’m still mad about it.

“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Betty Friedan

Aging can be a superpower. Women over 50 have more time, energy and resources to devote to our goals. We’ve accumulated a great deal of life experience, knowledge and capability. But we often take that for granted or downplay our strengths. Not today! Today we’re going to celebrate our expertise, so get out your pen or open the Notes app on your phone.

“Getting older makes you more alive. More vitality, more interest, more intelligence, more grace, more expansion.” Jamie Lee Curtis

Don’t be humble or hold back. I see how brilliant you are! This isn’t bragging, this is an uplifting assignment to remind you how capable you have become and how much your contributions matter. If you’re having a hard time getting started, here are a few questions to help you identify your talents and skills:

• What have you studied, practiced or worked at for years?
• What do friends ask you to help them with?
• What comes naturally to you or seems easier for you than for others?
• What are you proud that you’ve accomplished/mastered/overcome?
• What life skills or traditions do you want to pass on to your children/grandchildren?
• How are you emotionally and temperamentally more competent at this point in your life?

Here’s my list, as an example. I’m a skilled writer, editor and public speaker. I have excellent handwriting. Math comes easily to me and I’m kind of a stats nerd. I have good knife skills and make delicious salads and healthy appetizers. I can pack for a week in a carry-on bag. Friends ask me to review letters and marketing materials and for advice on parenting and relationship issues. I’m a lively conversationalist and good at leading group discussion. I play better tennis than ever. I love to sing and have studied to develop a decent voice. I can write amusing recaps, ditties and tributes. I have a positive mindset and push myself to try new things. I have a strong 33-year marriage. My kids like spending time with me. I’m a dedicated dog owner and have trained three different breeds of dogs. I can do a cartwheel.

Phew! You know how that made me feel? You got it, fabulous! I really encourage you to give it a go, because the world needs empowered, savvy, mature chicks like US more than ever. And if you feel like sharing some of your talents, please leave a comment, I’d love to hear about them.

Day 2 of the series is coming up tomorrow, so check back soon. Or better yet, subscribe to Fully Fabulous with your email in the box at right or below, and you’ll be notified of every new post.

You can now read Day 2 of this series by clicking the link below:

Feel Fully Fabulous Day 2: Show Up and Stand Out