One of the thing we are focused on at Board Women is changing the narrative of ageing. Because for too long we (and I mean particularly western cultures) have talked about ageing as something we need to hold off, to worry about, to avoid at all costs - and in turn respect for women who have aged has also declined.
One of the fantastic side effects of promoting this message to the world, and in turn seeking out others with aligned views, is that my feed is now filled with a re-frame of what it means to age, a new point of view of feeling ‘young’ and a shift to something that my dad always told me from a young age: ‘age is nothing but a number’.
Board sports reinforce this for me every day. Every time I step foot on a board, whether I’m paddling out, or dropping in, I feel like a big kid again. This anti-ageing perspective isn’t harking back to looking like I did in my 20’s, or wanting to re-live rose-tinted ‘glory days’. It’s focused on how I feel, how I see my next era, and what my body is capable of, now and for the rest of my life.
This week’s list is a celebration of some of what is showing up in my feed, and some fantastic voices leading this new story of our next era:
(1) 70+ women achieving physical feats that most 20 year olds can’t
There are so many posts on instagram showing older women completing physical feats that lots of 20 year olds I know aren’t capable of. Inspiring stuff.
Check out Esther Fischer, 75, who has broken the world record for the oldest person to hold a headstand. Celia Duff who became a double Hyrox champion in the 70-74 bracket, despite only having started functional fitness in her late 60’s.
Judi Oyama who continues to crush slalom skateboarding competitions age 66. Gwyn Haslock, Britain’s first competitive surfer and is still picking up her board in her 80’s (who I love even more for the fact that she isn’t on social media). These women give us all hope that we needn’t give up the things we love any time soon.
(2) A celebration of being a beginner again, no matter what your age
I love this take from Lemon Lane Club on reconnecting with our inner child. Ask yourself, what did you love doing when you were a kid, but somewhere along the line forgot to tap into that passion? Women are embracing being a beginner again, and I am here for it (especially when it’s skating, surfing or snowboarding), in which case, come join us!
(3) Big brands celebrating that cool has no age limit (and that real in the world of AI is alluring)
Whether it’s Vogue, CHANEL, Refy, Loewe - brands are putting older women into their campaigns and on the runway, recognising that consumers aged 50+ now drive almost half of spending growth. I love this reporting from The Female Economics on this topic.
There are voices coming through on an everyday level too, celebrating the iconic style of midlife women. Check out voices like @in_thenameofclothes a stylist who is inspired by older women, and who has recently shown off the style of her 69 year old mum. Or Sandy Bleakley (yes of the iconic Bleakley surfing family) who became a model aged 50 (below), or Evelyn Effrim-Botchey who restarted her modelling career at 58.
(4) Women embracing a next era work pivot at 50+
This one is a bitter-sweet pill. On one hand, women are being pushed out of the work place in their 50’s, necessitating the formation of groups like Encore, established by Stacey Duguid. Stacey worked in the fashion industry for 30 years, and was suddenly unable to get work due to her age. She started Encore for the many women in her position, in an attempt to end the age bias that is growing in so many industries.
At the same time, there is a groundswell of women showing that the midlife pivot can be everything: a movement of women finding purpose and careers that align with new life goals, and a pursuit of freedom. Check out voices like Alex Abrandt, Maison.1973,
(5) A reminder that these women have lived, and their lives have been epic
Loving the look of this new exhibition in North London celebrating punk’s pioneering women. It celebrates these ‘she punks’ of the movement through music, art, photography and film, including Debbie Harry and Patti Smith.
The laugh lines project really emphasises this point - encouraging women to go make up free, and reframing the whole idea of wrinkles and signs of ageing as being a negative. The founder is photographing 1,000 women without makeup on, and I love their carousels flipping the perceptions of ageing that we all have, particularly in relation to beauty standards.
I hope these have given you a little bit of inspiration about your next era - life is for living ladies!
Have a fabulous week all
Caroline x
Board Women Founder
P.S.
If you haven’t booked on yet, come and feel ageless with a group of us on our snowboarding & yoga event in December - link to book below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2003121871440?aff=oddtdtcreator
