Feb 10
20
A British look at life after 50
In a humorous look at aging, British “cupcake maven” and writer Sally Howell sums it all up–who took over our bodies after we turned 50?
Is 50 the new 40?
If Fifty is the new Forty I thank goodness that my children are old enough to fend for themselves!
At Forty I was a capable clear headed multi-tasker! With numerous pairs of hands that Edward Scissorhands would have been proud of! I had confidence by the bucket load, energy that could fuel a nuclear power station and the organisational skills of a seasoned events manager!!!
Where did it all go????
As I approached my Fiftieth birthday I was convinced my body had been taken over by an alien life force and turned into someone I don’t recognise. Where did I go? When did it happen? Who is this stranger I come face to face with every morning? Don’t ask me because I can’t remember!!!
Another joke these aliens play on you is to turn your once clear thinking brain into a thick fog of forgetfulness! Sadly those spontaneous trips to the shops have now been replaced by a “list”.
Oh I do miss those once carefree “listless” shopping trips, being seduced by the “Bog Offs” (buy one get one free) now I just stand there unable to make such big decisions.
How would we as busy Mums ever have managed without the car? School runs, taxi service,day trips, shopping trips with friends to new and exiting places. My friend and I regularly did a “Thelma & Louise” and drove off into the sunset searching out never before visited shops and restaurants for a “girlie lunch”.
Those carefree motoring days have now been replaced with regular BBC weather watching to make sure the roads wont be too wet, dry, icy, blocked by fallen trees, high wind, flooding!!! Is the road closed? blocked? diverted? roadworks? Will I have to go on the motorway? will it be dark?……..is there somewhere to park?… The list is endless!
Trips out now have to be planned with military precision.
Why is that just when the children are speeding headlong into adulthood and that once precious commodity called “Time” gets given to you as a welcome gift you haven’t a clue what to do with it! That job you have been dragging yourself to everyday in order to pay the university fees has become so dull and boring you feel sure a change of career is what you need but you haven’t any idea where to begin to find one that suits you!
After another restless night tossing and turning and throwing the covers off then dragging them back on. I have come up with a new and exciting money making career for myself…….I am now Kent’s official one woman eco system, I have my very own internal combustion engine that can throw off enough heat to keep 3 hospitals, 2 housing estates and 1 old people’s home warm for the whole of the winter. I am now producing so much free heat I am thinking of selling it back to British Gas!!!….think of the money I could make.
Read more of Sally’s take on aging at Is 50 the new 40?
