Someone made a comment to me last week challenging me on my perception of what it is to be an older woman in the western world. Actually what had occurred is that she'd read what I had written about Google/Search results, (I've been Googling 'Older Women' or 'Older Woman' and saving the top 10 search results in order to sample the way internet traffic speaks of older women - try it yourself). She had thought I had only negative things to say about being an older woman. By the way, if you search on Older Women and Performance - this blog and project comes up in the search!!
Older Women Appreciation Society
When contextualising this enquiry I have chosen to highlight my experience of being an older female (beginner) performer in music and theatre. My personal belief is that being an older woman can be, and often is, menopause and other health issues apart, a fantastic experience.
I started a Facebook group in January 2010 - 'Older Women Appreciation Society' (https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=258129751102) - which was an open group. Here's how I described it:-
Older Women Appreciation Society
When contextualising this enquiry I have chosen to highlight my experience of being an older female (beginner) performer in music and theatre. My personal belief is that being an older woman can be, and often is, menopause and other health issues apart, a fantastic experience.
I started a Facebook group in January 2010 - 'Older Women Appreciation Society' (https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=258129751102) - which was an open group. Here's how I described it:-
A group to celebrate older women in all societies, classes, races, professions ... you name it.
AND a group for older women to appreciate themselves - STRANGE!!!! - but possible! An opportunity to network, enable, share, laugh and ENJOY being an older woman or to show your appreciation.
The group isn't 'open' at the moment. I got tired of gigolos and male prostitutes applying to join the group. I haven't put a lot of energy into the group recently and I think I need to change the Facebook presence to a different format but nevertheless there's always a slow but steady trickle of applications from these men to join whereas very few women apply to join nowadays. I've yet to fully investigate why that might be. I have some ideas of course. Maybe if you take a look at the older postings and up to the present you can offer some feedback or suggestions how I could use FB? By the way, thanks to all the men who joined OWAS and those who continually give their support and positive appreciation!
Over 40 Females
Around the same time I started 'Older Women Appreciation Society' on Facebook a woman in the states started 'Over 40 Females' https://www.facebook.com/pages/Over-40-Females-Connect-Encourage-and-Inspire/376653432556. I joined the group but overall found the content seemed to show how women over 40 could aspire to be like women of 25, 35 etc. Whilst I respect every woman's right to live her older years as she thinks fit, I think it's great being a woman of 55 and I have no desire to look like a glamourised younger self or spend my money or older years in hiding the effects of ageing.
Priorities
Looking after my health and well-being, sorting out my soul, loosing my emotional baggage, giving love and attention, receiving love and friendship if and when it's offered, examining my choices and reviewing the results, knowing when to thank my fear for its counsel and listening to it and knowing when to say 'nah' and going ahead, taking joy in nature, nurturing and healing, sharing anything that I've learned that's useful - that's what I need to be spending my energy on and, if I have it, my money. I do some of that but I spend a lot of time being tired, feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Par for the course at the moment, until these health issues are sorted and until I make new choices and priorities. I think I'll make a trial decision. I guess all decisions are trial decisions. Something like, every time I feel sad, down, or I'm moaning, write some music, a poem, paint a picture, find a gesture, make a sound, turn it out and transform it. I'll give it a whirl.
Priorities
Looking after my health and well-being, sorting out my soul, loosing my emotional baggage, giving love and attention, receiving love and friendship if and when it's offered, examining my choices and reviewing the results, knowing when to thank my fear for its counsel and listening to it and knowing when to say 'nah' and going ahead, taking joy in nature, nurturing and healing, sharing anything that I've learned that's useful - that's what I need to be spending my energy on and, if I have it, my money. I do some of that but I spend a lot of time being tired, feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Par for the course at the moment, until these health issues are sorted and until I make new choices and priorities. I think I'll make a trial decision. I guess all decisions are trial decisions. Something like, every time I feel sad, down, or I'm moaning, write some music, a poem, paint a picture, find a gesture, make a sound, turn it out and transform it. I'll give it a whirl.
Grey Hair - Older Shop Models
This morning on BBC Radio 4 I heard a conversation about a woman t.v. presenter's grey hair - a streak of which appeared in the front of her hair when she was 35. About whether she was asked to dye it etc. Apparently grey hair is 'in' at the moment and a Debenham's spokeswoman on this radio show said that they'd used shop models representing women in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Shoppers had voted with their purses and responded positively. Yes, the mighty cash machine might actually turn its gaze in our direction, for good or for ill. 'For good, for good' I hear one of my supervisory selves saying. Maybe this time a lot of good can come out of the attention directed at these older women issues. I'll shut up the cynical voice of experience, and hope.
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