Older power
You’ll find that earth-shattering, world-changing, sense of true power only as you grow older. — @soulsutras
This is a very nice thing to know and resonate with. Most women in my age do tell the same, at least they confirm that in the present state, they don't want to conform to norms. A byproduct of patriarchy I guess, we, mostly women had to do certain things so that we aren't in the limelight.
I can say for myself in my late 20s and 30s and early 40s most of the time is spent seeking validation from every Tom Dick and Harry and some Mary too. Sadly didn't know enough that for most of these Marys and their opinion of us is just momentary observation and they move on to next global or Sally issue just the next moment. And your situation just is out of oblivion for Mary, but you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself to fix something which needs nothing. This frenzy of yours may give Mary some sadistic pleasure and keep her high above in the value chain.
Enter 40s, you suddenly do not need much validation (still there are traces are there, its a habit of 4 decades, doesnot wane away in a jiffy) and you are freer from your child-tending duties if there was and some of us might have thrived to build a career that is a bit more stable. Now is the time to feel a little more power in you for self.
When I say thrive, it's really a struggle to balance those young professional years to find a ground both in the workplace and at home. Some do miss out on this bandwagon, so do struggle to find stable ground in a professional environment in later years and feel a bit insufficient as it seems to them that time has flown by. This also is another phenomenon which is echoes in most corridors that we often associate our identity with our work and what we think we do as productive. Disassociating ourselves from being child tenders and also being professional are the normal tags that we all associate with and often struggle to find a balance or be content with one tag.
Being a woman is a struggle they say with the set norms, expectations and our dear hormones that we are blessed with. These little demons which we cannot do without and neither do with as well and many more challenges that are unique to most of our creed.
But the above statement from Soulsutra is uplifting for me, as it's a glimmer of hope to look forward to. It is a beacon of freedom from others' thoughts, judgments, and expectations which seems to come with grey hairs, folds, and wrinkles. That ever-knowing glow is waiting to shine through. Only question is are others ready for that? I don't give a damn!
