Why I Love Being 45

 

A few years ago, if someone had asked me how I felt about turning 45, I honestly wouldn't have known what to say.

When I was younger, I never really thought about getting older.

I wasn't counting down the years or making plans for what my life would look like at 45. To be honest, there were even moments when I wondered if I would ever reach this age.

And now that I am here?

I love it.

Not because life is perfect.

Not because I have everything figured out.

And certainly not because I never make mistakes.

I still have goals.

I still want to become fitter.

I still have dreams I want to achieve.

But I feel comfortable with myself in a way I never did when I was younger.

One of the biggest changes is that I genuinely do not care much about what other people think anymore.

When you're young, there is so much pressure.

You worry about your appearance.

You worry about fitting in.

You compare yourself to others.

You wonder if you're doing enough.

Looking back, I spent far too much time worrying about things that really didn't matter.

These days, I focus on my own life.

My own happiness.

My own goals.

And honestly, that feels incredibly freeing.

People often ask me if I would like to be twenty again.

My answer is always the same.

Yes.

But only if I could keep the mindset I have today.

Because while I might enjoy having the energy of my twenties again, I would never want to go back to the insecurity.

I would never want to go back to constantly doubting myself.

I would never want to go back to feeling like I had to prove something to everyone around me.

The confidence I have today didn't appear overnight.

It came from experience.

From making mistakes.

From learning lessons the hard way.

From moving abroad and having to stand on my own two feet.

From relationships that taught me things about myself.

From challenges that I never expected to face.

Life shaped me.

And honestly, I'm grateful for that.

One thing that surprises me is how much I enjoy life now.

I think many younger people have it harder than we sometimes realise.

There is so much pressure these days.

Pressure to look perfect.

Pressure to be successful.

Pressure to constantly keep up with everyone else.

I don't feel that pressure anymore.

I know who I am.

I know what makes me happy.

And I know what is important to me.

For me, happiness is not about perfection.

It is about enjoying the life I have.

It is about travelling.

Spending time with people I love.

Walking in the park.

Writing.

Dreaming about future adventures.

And appreciating how far I have already come.

When I look back at the younger version of myself, I feel proud.

Not because I did everything right.

I certainly didn't.

But because I kept going.

And if there is one thing I would tell any woman who is afraid of getting older, it is this:

Don't be.

Growing older is not something to fear.

It is something to be grateful for.

Because with every year comes more experience, more confidence and a better understanding of who you truly are.

And honestly?

I think life is pretty good at 45.

Love,

Shavida