MIDLIFE
Meno matters
Author and motivational speaker Sarah Aviram, 41, was on holiday in Spain in January 2020 when she discovered how powerful midlife could be – in the middle of a dance performance!
AS I WATCHED THE flamenco dancers on stage in Valencia, Spain, I was mesmerised by the passion and intensity with which they moved their bodies. They conveyed a depth of emotion that seemed to come from something beyond the music – from deep within their soul. And it intrigued me to notice that they seemed older than the typical female dancers seen on stages around the world. It was then that I learned the secret of flamenco dancing: that female dancers must reach a certain level of emotional maturity to convey the “duende” of the genre, with duende meaning a heightened state of expression and authenticity. That’s why many flamenco dancers don’t reach their peak until their 30s or later, and continue performing well into their 50s and beyond.
I couldn’t help but think how incredible it would be to live a life full of duende – to make decisions, take actions and express emotions that are deeply and authentically yours. To look forward to midlife and beyond because you know that the more experiences you have and knowledge you acquire, the more connected you will be to your true spirit.
Dream big
Try Sarah’s tips for envisaging the second half of your life as the best half of your life!
Step 1: Write a list of all the things you would love to accomplish. Write the statements in the present tense to make them feel even more tangible. You can include dreams for all areas of your life or focus on one at a time. Here are a variety of examples to inspire your thinking:
● I work for an organisation with values that inspires me daily.
● I combine my love for fitness and nature to create an outdoor adventure company.
● Iam a highly paid public speaker on mindfulness and stress reduction.
● I’m taking part in my first 5K.
● I’m carving out a new identity and getting fitter and healthier.
Step 2: To help you dream bigger, write down 10 things you would do if you had no fear of judgement or criticism. You don't need currently to have the skills or knowledge on the subject to list it as a dream.
Step 3: Create a list of how you want to feel i.e. energised, inspired, excited. Imagine feeling those emotions and note down what experiences might make you feel like that.
Step 4: Imagine you’re being featured in an article called “Women Who Peaked in MidLife”. Write about your life as if you are that women being profiled. Explain the setbacks and failures as the obstacles you needed to overcome. Share the proud milestones and successes you had along the way
