50? - a Quality Step to Wisdom, Strength, and Purpose

Here I am at 57, 2018, Monaco, saying: 'I succeeded.

The 50s mark a powerful time of change, where accumulated wisdom meets renewed purpose.

Why I'am writing this?

With this post, I send my best regards and wishes to all my students, clients and friends who are around this magical number 50 - the starting point of excitement :-)

I’m 64 now. My transformation started at the age of 48. So I can see the period from a distance and know what could happen next. But the main reason for me writing this post is:

Many of my clients are about 50 today, some of them approaching, and some of them have already passed the line.
I wish all of them to see it as a privilege, an amazing opportunity, and maybe the best 10 years ahead.

Around 50, we are driven by a desire to give back to the community, assuming multiple mentoring or leadership roles and having the intention to help others.

It seems this is encoded into us by evolution - to give away knowledge, experience and wisdom to the next generation. That is how humanity evolves.

"Turning fifty is like reaching the summit of a mountain - you finally see the bigger picture and understand what truly matters." – Paulo Coelho

Leonardo da Vinci created some of his absolutely most well-known works after turning 50. For example, the Mona Lisa. His artistic vision and scientific curiosity greatly increased during this time.
Nelson Mandela gave justice and leadership much thought while he was in prison for a large part of his 50s. After release, he became a symbol of great hope and complete unity, eventually holding the office of president of South Africa.
Virginia Woolf greatly refined narrative style and themes around this stage, creating works that demonstrated large psychological comprehension.

These examples are a strong reminder that life’s ability to reinvent and create does not get smaller with age but instead grows stronger.

What changes?

Testosterone may slowly decrease in men (sometimes known as andropause); simultaneously, women experience menopause, accompanied by sharply decreasing oestrogen levels.

Metabolism is much slower, and muscle mass is much less.
Energy goes up and down, and mood changes.
Vitality is maintained by stressing health and well-being.
People often say they feel more emotionally stable and clear-minded at this point.
Judgment is typically more clear when emotions do not considerably affect it.

According to developmental psychologists like Erik Erikson

This phase includes a generativity need, defined as the desire to leave an important legacy and impart knowledge to younger people.
This deeper self-examination frequently inspires a search for meaning, driving many people to pursue certain interests and to reconsider all that they want out of life.

People in their 50s frequently shift their priorities and reassess what they consider supremely meaningful.

Reinforcing many family connections while pursuing more intimate relationships with all those cherished.
Instead of status or money, many are choosing to focus on meaningful projects and reassessing what they want in a career.
Frequently, these changes encourage people to reconnect with their real selves, developing stronger relationships in addition to a new feeling of meaning.

In many ancient societies, elders were viewed as wise.

Eastern philosophies often highlight how reflection, in addition to finding oneself, matters as people age. On the other hand, Western societies have mostly placed a higher importance on youth, but this is slowly changing as people begin to accept the “concept of the second acts” in life.

Consider these steps to fully benefit from this evolving period.

Take action: think about mentorship, volunteering, or projects that spark fresh, skilled growth.
Mental growth: Take part in multiple self-improvement activities like meditation, journaling, and new learning experiences.
Physical health: exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and preventative healthcare should be prioritised.
Go "Around the World"; metaphorically speaking, it is still time!