Most of us don't like to think about getting older, do we? But often that is part of the angst of moving into midlife - the realisation that we have more years behind us than ahead.

Is it any wonder that hitting 50 can trigger a period of reflection. Reflection that so often leads to changes being made - in our careers, relationships, health... how many people, men and women, do you know who took up a new hobby, left a relationship that no longer made them happy, lost weight, got fit, started a business...? Maybe you did one of these things, or something similar, yourself?*

When we were children, as with so many life stages, ageing was something that we expected to follow a well trod path - the idea that we had choices about how we lived our elder years didn't occur to the vast majority of our grandparents and parents.

For our parents in the UK, the school leaving age rose to 15 in 1947. By the time they came to retire in 1995, both men and women could draw their state pension at...

There have been some interesting developments recently in the way midlife women are being portrayed in the media, more of which in a moment. Firstly, I would like to ask you a question. When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, what do you see?

If I ask that question as a speaker, nervous laughter ensues. I once asked it on my Photography Facebook Business Page and the replies were both varied and fascinating.

Many say they see their mother, or grandmother staring back at them, which causes a mixture of alarm and comfort. There's something rather lovely in carrying our loved ones with us, isn't there? Some women tell me they never look at their own face in its entirety. If they are putting on lipstick, they look at their lips, if they are brushing their hair, they look at their hair and so on.

The Face it, Own it! project has thrown up some very interesting questions about self image. Some common themes, in addition to the above, have included sadness,...

Guest Post by Philippa Taylor of Feel Fab Naturally.

I've heard a lot about "bio-hacking" recently, so I asked Philippa to explain what it is and what it could mean for us as we get older. 

**NB: as with anything, please do your own research. The Midlife Movement  does not endorse any product and the views in our guest blog posts are the authors' own. **

If you haven’t heard the term biohacking, you’re not alone. Biohacking is the future, and its development has been rapid and recent. Biohacking will impact your life sooner or later—and maybe it already has. If you’ve taken steps to better understand your body, your DNA, and your potential, that’s biohacking. If you’ve pursued ways to improve your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or cellular health, that’s biohacking.

Biohacking: In a Nutshell

Biohacking is using science and technology to become the absolute best version of yourself....

Skin. When I think about the years I've spent looking after it, moisturising it, despairing of it, taking it for granted...

Skincare regimes need to adapt post 50. For me, it's not about "anti-ageing", it's about keeping our skin healthy, supple and comfortable.

Here are the essentials for skincare at any age, but especially as we get older.

1. Cleanse regularly

2. Exfoliate - gently!

3. Moisturise thoroughly

4. Protect from the sun

5. Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin from the inside out

6. Eat a healthy, varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and good oils

But of course, you knew that. It's not rocket science. Add to that, don't. smoke and drink alcohol in moderation and you've probably got it covered.

I once read quote by doyenne of romance fiction, Barbara Cartland, that said (to paraphrase) that once we get past a certain age we have to choose between maintaining our figure or our face. She claimed that she had chosen to look after her skin and "sit down a...

 ...that is the question!

How do you feel about your hair right now? As we age, our hair gradually shows changes in colour and texture and is one of the most visible signs of ageing.

Hair changes texture with age, just as our skin does. The received convention amongst trichologists says that by age 50, 50% of the population will have 50% grey hair. 

Some of us also experience hair loss, which can be distressing.

"The sudden, diffuse loss of hair from all over the scalp is called ‘telogen effluvium’ and can be the result of improper nutrition, stress, hormonal upsets and pregnancy. A reduction in your hair’s diameter can also be influenced by these things, but is most often due to genetics, follicle sensitivity to hormones, and to age." Philip Kingsley

If you have noticed your hair thinning significantly, it’s worth seeing a doctor to rule out other underlying problems such as a dysfunctional thyroid.

If you are just starting to...

Living the Life more Fabulous is an inspiring summer read from Tricia Cusden, Founder of the British pro-age make-up brand, Look Fabulous Forever.

“Living the Life More Fabulous – Beauty, Style & Empowerment for Older Women” is part manual, part manifesto, with plenty of food for thought about the way we view ageing in the Western world and, consequently, the way we view ourselves. The author is visible throughout the book in a series of gorgeous portraits (which, as a Portrait and Personal Branding Photographer, I obviously absolutely love!).

Image © Tricia Cusden

Whilst she asserts from the start that:

There has never been a better time to be an older woman,

Tricia also notes:

Our society seems to value older women only if they are ageing youthfully

Phrases such as “ageless style” and “anti-ageing” are disempowering, she argues, and her mission is to encourage older women to embrace their ageing selves and celebrate the...

Whose hands are these?

WARNING: IF YOU ARE ONE OF MY CHILDREN, (OR GENERALLY OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION) DO NOT READ ON. I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR HORROR AND EMBARRASSMENT IF YOU IGNORE THIS NOTICE.

I could write reams about the sadness I feel at the slow, but relentless degradation of my body. I shall skim over the details lest it put you off your skinny latte, suffice to say that I now have more curves than angles and about as much spring-back-ability in my skin as a piece of broken knicker elastic.

I’ve changed my mind – have a few details: I now have what I like to call “silver highlights”, though who I think would actually sit in the hairdresser’s with foils on their head to achieve this effect I have no idea. Over time, my foundation wear (what a lovely, old-fashioned phrase!) has become more about containment and less about boasting and I sometimes find myself hunting for “comfortable” knickers. You know, ladies, the kind that...