Looking forward - love the age you are
Younger is not better. That’s a challenging statement in our youth-obsessed society.
I recently listened to an inspiring interview with Caroline Paul on the Hit Play Not Pause podcast - Younger is Not Better. As Caroline went on her own perimenopausal journey, she wanted to keep outdoor adventure in her life and started researching and interviewing other older women who were living an active outdoorsy lifestyle. Many had picked up outdoor adventure later in life, often prompted by an inflexion point such as a significant medical or life event. Every woman she spoke to said their 60s were the best time of their life, and none wanted to be younger.
“Caroline Paul found while researching her wonderful book Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking―How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age. Instead, she found active, adventurous women praising their postmenopausal lives and the enjoyment they found in the now.”
Studies that show that the way we look at ageing predicts our ageing journey. A study by Becca Levy at Yale University's Department of Epidemiology and Public Health study showed that older people with more positive self-perceptions of aging, measured up to 23 years earlier, lived 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions of aging. Another Canadian study showed that positive thinking about aging could impact a person's physical health, health behaviors and psychological well-being, and those with the highest satisfaction with ageing had a 43% lower risk of dying from any cause during four years of follow-up compared to those with the lowest satisfaction.
How do we create and maintain a positive mindset in the face of negative messaging around ageing? Outdoor adventure can be a gateway. The attributes we access in ourselves, when we get outside, upend expectations about what older women can do. It’s challenging and exciting, we can be strong and brave, our mind is switched on, we are free to play.
So let’s embrace a positive attitude to ageing in 2025. Here are some tips to kick-off the virtuous cycle as you make plans for the year ahead.
Adapting and embracing change - try something new - can you explore a new discipline, a new event, a new adventure?
Maintaining a sense of purpose - find & follow your passion - what have you always wanted to do?
Maintaining social relationships - stay connected - go on that ride with friends, make time for the coffee
Practicing healthy behaviours - nutrition, exercise, sleep, health checks - good health is a foundation for positive ageing
4Five+ is here to support your outdoor adventures in 2025!
We’re starting the year with a 4F Friday Social Ride on 3 January, and it will be great to catch up with everyone after the festive season and before the AusCycling Nationals kick off.
As we approach our 4th anniversary, we can see that 4Five+ has grown and changed across the years. We started at a time when perimenopause was barely whispered, and now it is being shouted from the roof tops. We’ve learned that 45 is not a magic menopause number, and that the menopause transition can take 10 years or more. We’ve learned that perimenopause is different for everyone, and we want to be inclusive of everyone who is impacted - both directly and indirectly. Including those who want to be prepared, and those who support us. To this end, we are adjusting our membership categories, offering full membership to anyone who wants to join us, regardless of gender or age. There will be a super quick member meeting after the 4F Friday Ride on January 3 to ratify this update.
4Five+ AC are very excited to have multiple teams competing in the upcoming AusCycling Road National Championships. We have all female teams in the Club Team Time Trial in the 150+ and 180+ categories, and two teams in the Club Criterium - MAS1-4 and MAS5+. We love that we are able to support our members in National Competition.
Tiger Tracks Gravel planning is well underway, and entries should open mid-January once we are done with the AusCycling Road Nationals. 4Five+ Members and returning participants will get priority access to earlybird pricing. 2024 was a sell-out, so keep an eye on your email for the registration link so you don’t miss out. If you are keen on gravel, follow the Tiger Tracks facebook page & community group for more information as it becomes available.
So as YOU launch into 2025, I hope you are looking forward to great things, embracing change, and feeling positive
Vanessa Johnson, 4Five+ AC Chairperson and outdoor adventure enthusiast.
Research articles:
Longevity Increased by Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging
Pics by Beardy McBeardy, Santel Bush, Neil McLagan, Jacqui Richards
