I’m not going to hide from it. I am turning 50 this year. A year and a half ago I attended my 30th high school reunion and reconnected with a number of people from my youth who are also turning 50 this year. Suddenly I’m noticing the statement, “50 is the new 30” being thrown around.  Hmm, I ponder. Is it true, or are we just fooling ourselves?

I’ve always believed that age is very much a state of mind, yet decorum and a dose of reality do come into play.  I have four beautiful mini skirts hanging in my closet that I can’t bear to part with, but I know will never again see the light (or dark) of day, at least on my body.  I can’t leave the house now without a pair of glasses because I can’t read a menu, ingredients on a label, or anything I might have to sign my name to without help. And the gray hair that I have inherited has made me recognize that I can choose to replace it with any color that I want.

If these are the biggest grievances I have about turning 50 (and they are!), then I consider myself pretty darn blessed. Although I still fit into and wear clothes I had long before I was 30, I’ve come to the conclusion that, at least for me, I don’t feel 30. And that’s a good thing.

Why 50 is better than 30:

• I’ve come to value a nice man over a bad boy.
• It’s no longer all about me.
• I’ve come to prefer authenticity over sizzle.
• I’m way comfortable with myself.
• I cherish every moment with my parents.
• I’ve come to value meaning over money.
• I’m in touch with the fact that I’m not going to live forever.
• I no longer care about what people think.
• I think about how much I am blessed.
• I’ve experienced some painful, challenging times and have come out stronger.
• I’ve learned to trust myself.
• I’ve taken some big risks and survived.
• I’ve learned that being true to myself is more important than security.

Am I missing something in the “50 is the new 30” statement? If so, please enlighten me.