The Year of Living 50

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 30 Conversations

 

People keep asking me if I’m freaked out about turning 50 this year. I’m not really, although perhaps a wee bit surprised by some of the thoughts going through my mind.

I mean, turning 50 really is the mother of all wake-up calls!

And I’ve caught myself thinking about all the things I still want to be, do and have in my life.

All the things I want to create and share.

All the ways I want to open further, deeper, more fully.

All the hugs still to give, kisses to be savoured, and well. . .you get the point.

Those are the things I’m putting my attention on as I begin living my fiftieth year.

Not the 50 lessons I may or may not have learned.

Not 50 tips to look and feel good at 50 (although all this juicing and healthy living looks good on me!)

No tips, lessons, or strategies.

Instead, I’m choosing to open.

close up of rose unfurling, metaphor for turning 50

Because we do have a choice; to open or to close ourselves off.

One is energizing and risky. The other is tight, and oh so painfully safe.

I get to choose. And so do you.

I choose to set some delicious intentions that set my spine tingling in anticipation of all the amazing experiences I’ve yet to have.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ― Anaïs Nin

So I choose to open, to be and do more than I ever thought possible.

And I’ve got to keep track of it all.

So bring on the lists – because I admit it, I love lists.

I love creating them, crossing things off, updating and highlighting them.

It’s kind of nerdy and old school, but I don’t care – which may very well be the absolute best thing about turning 50!

I care about things that have meaning and value to me.

I care about life and living it fully, at any age.

I care about caring for ourselves, and each other.

And feeling good in my skin, ’cause I’ve got a lot of living still to do.

 

 

30 conversations started on “The Year of Living 50”

  1. Come on a trip with me? I mean besides Portland! Let’s go ziplining somewhere. OR bungy jump off a bridge..although I don’t want to bungy jump cause I think it’s dumb to jump off a perfectly goo0d bridge..but I”ll totally take your photo while YOU do it…or maybe you can take me to the capilano suspension bridge and hold my hand cause it totally freaks me out…:) I am SO excited to see what your year looks like! xoxoxo

    1. LolaSpeaking a) I actually love the Capilano Suspension Bridge 😉 
      b) Bungy jumping not going to happen, but I’d consider sky diving! 
      c) So much fun to be had this year is what I’m most open to!

  2. Sandi, I am so glad you are getting your “mother of all wake-up calls” when you are so young and so healthy and can do plenty of something about it. I’m having a similar wake-up call right now (cosmic twin of yours that I am).  Two days ago, I threw out 3 sets of clothes 3 sizes smaller than what I wear now.  I had been saving them for the infamous “someday” when I would lose weight and fit into them.  I said to myself, “Fuck that!  When I lose the weight, I’m buying myself new clothes!”.
    My next thought was, “And when will that be, Carol?  What the fuck are you waiting for?  It’s time to tackle this health and weight thing once and for all.  Just fucking do it, Carol!”  (Lots of fucking going on — in the verbal sense that is!) 
    So the first item on my list is to do a cleanse, and it starts this Thursday (Alejandro Junger’s recommended 4-week elimination diet and cleanse).  I’ve never done a cleanse before.  Hell, I’ve never even done a juice fast before. But I’m doing this.  I’m committed.  I love myself too much not to do it. And when my commitment to myself flags, I will reread this post.  And I will be inspired.

    1. Carol Hess I’ve done Dr. Junger’s Clean detox cleanse and it’s great. I’ve also committed to doing a 3 week juice fast in May, so I’m right there with ya sister! 🙂

    2. Carol Hess I’ve done Dr. Junger’s Clean detox cleanse and it’s great. I’ve also committed to doing a 3 week juice fast in May, so I’m right there with ya sister! 🙂

      1. Sandi Amorim Carol Hess Great to get feedback from someone who has actually done the cleanse, Sandi.  It encourages me.  A 3-week juice fast — wow!  There’s no stopping us!

        1. Carol Hess Yup, I’m just in the process of creating my own personal 3 week retreat. My birthday gift to myself: 21 days of juicing, resting and writing. Lots and lots of writing. Probably lots of walking and photography. And more resting. I’m so excited, don’t know how I’ll make it till May 🙂

        2. Carol Hess Yup, I’m just in the process of creating my own personal 3 week retreat. My birthday gift to myself: 21 days of juicing, resting and writing. Lots and lots of writing. Probably lots of walking and photography. And more resting. I’m so excited, don’t know how I’ll make it till May 🙂

        3. Sandi Amorim Carol Hess What a great idea – a 3-week retreat.  I can’t think of a better birthday present!  Will you be going to the place you always go to for the silent retreat or somewhere else?  You will make it to May by counting sleeps, as always, yes?

        4. Carol Hess I’ve got something else up my sleeve. All will be revealed, and in the meantime I will count sleeps 🙂
          12 till my birthday and 33 till my retreat!

    3. Carol Hess Yay Carol – love that you’re letting go of all that old stuff that reminds you of where you are not.  Yay for the cleanse – and yes love you getting on with it!  Imagine the fun you’ll have buying yourself new clothes – ones that fit all parts of the new you!

      1. Vicky White @Carol Hess Oh yeah, the new wardrobe is quite the motivator.  And this time I want to be smart about what I buy — not that much.  Just every item really great and then it all goes together to form tons of other outfits.  At least that’s the theory.  And did I mention that I want to buy the clothes in Paris?  Mais bien sur! 🙂

        1. Carol Hess I plan on doing that this summer as well. Purging and shopping much more mindfully about what goes in my closet and on my body! 
          And I think you might need a companion for this Parisian adventure mon amie 😉

        2. Sandi Amorim Carol Hess You and me in Paris?  Zut alors!  What a terrific idea!  Now there is a carrot to dangle in front of us!

        3. Sandi Amorim Carol Hess And as long as we’re in Paris, we might as well zip on down to the old homeland and give Italy a quick visit, don’t you think?

        8. Carol Hess Sandi Amorim Well, if we’re talking Paris and that direction, the Greek Islands are amazing – especially Santorini – those white buildings and blue sky and sea and bright colored flowers – that would be a good place to rest up after all that clothes shopping!

        9. Vicky White Carol Hess Sandi Amorim I love the Greek islands and have always wanted to go to Santorini.  Let’s put it on the list!

  3. Ohhh, I love lists too.  I’ve been known to add things to my list just so I can cross them off because I did them.  Can’t wait to see your rebel version Sandi.  I love birthdays too – feels like such a powerful time to regroup, bit like doing a cleanse – resetting the dial.  I’ve got 6 months till my next birthday – but any time is a good time to reset that dial!

  4. I love lists. One of the reasons I keep all of my journals is for the many lists. I have a biggie BD coming this fall. 6.0. WOW! And I’ve been considering the momentousness (word?) of October as the due date of my first grandchild is only a few days from my birthday. What a gift that will be!

      1. Sandi Amorim bo_mackison Mmmm. Yeah, I can understand that. I have a feeling a grandchild is a totally different proposition. I’ll find out soon enough.

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