How old are you?

Now there’s a loaded question! From a young age we’re taught it is rude to ask, while at the same time being told silly things like, “a woman never reveals her age.”

But why?

Our age is just as much a part of us as our name. It’s a simple differentiator that helps people understand who we are and where we’re coming from. We have absolutely no control over it, and considering the alternative to aging is death, it’s pretty appealing. But somewhere along the way it became taboo.

Because women aren’t supposed to age.

Just turn on your TV for proof. Hollywood glamorizes youth. Aging actresses have no shortage of stories about how their career opportunities changed after a certain age, while men seem to have no shelf life. And in broadcast news a veteran male anchor is “distinguished” while his female counterpart is just considered “old”.

It’s part of the reason I got out of the TV business when I did—just two years before my 40th birthday. I wasn’t afraid of the big 4-0, but I was afraid of what that number would mean for my career long term.

And don’t get me started on dating profiles. When I was single I can’t tell you how many times I came across a seemingly very interesting guy who was my age or a few years older who said he was only looking for women at least five years younger than me. Somehow, it seemed the dating age for women was unofficially capped at 30.

Then, of course, if a woman over the age of 30 was somehow able to find a partner (insert eye roll) and decide to start a family, well she had better hurry because to do so after the age of 35 is considered a geriatric pregnancy. Yup, that’s an official medical term, people.

No wonder we don’t like talking about our age!

And here’s where the vicious cycle keeps perpetuating itself. We don’t talk about our age because we’re worried it won’t fit a societal standard. Yet, there’s only one narrow societal standard because more of us aren’t talking about our age.

I definitely still struggle with this regularly. My mission is to help women accept everything about themselves, the life they’ve created, and the future they control. And that includes their age. I truly don’t believe there are age limits on our dreams and goals.

And yet part of me doesn’t like admitting how old I am. I want to speak to and connect with women of all ages, and I sometimes worry those younger than me will think I’m “out of touch” because I’m not 25 anymore.

All of those fears come despite the fact that I’ve already put myself out there. I’ve already spoken my truth and spread my message and if it didn’t resonate with them, well, they’ve moved on. I wasn’t for them. And that didn’t necessarily have anything to do with my age.

Here’s the big thing: nothing will change unless we start changing ourselves. What does that mean? It’s time to tell our stories, openly, proudly, and with a number attached.

Because the more we talk about who we are, what we’re accomplishing, and where we’re going at any age, the more we normalize the aging process.

So, here goes… Hi, my name is Laura. I’m 41 and in the process of trying to become a first-time mother. Even while some of my friends the same age have kids in high school. My husband and I just bought our first house seven months ago after decades of renting. I launched The Life ActuallyCompany™ when I was 39, then had to put things on pause because of family situations (cancer sucks), which means I’m finally beginning my first group coaching program next week, a year and a half later.

I spend an insane amount of money on face creams, serums, oils, and exfoliators to keep my skin healthy and fresh. I lather on sunscreen every day to ward off damage and wrinkles. And I started using Botox two years ago, but due to Covid, I haven’t been in for treatment in over a year. And I desperately want to change that.

I’ve learned so much about myself and my wants and needs over these four-plus decades. I look back on my 20-something self and shake my head because back then I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. And yet I still want to avoid wrinkles and keep my skin looking like it did back then.

Maybe this means I’m not completely comfortable with everything that comes with the aging process, and that’s okay. I just want to start a conversation.

Will you join me? Share your story in the comments below.

And if this resonates with you but you aren’t entirely sure where to start, we put together a FREE guide to help: Three Steps To Take Back Your Life. Because it’s your life and your story, all you have to do is own it.

Age and all.