Hi Friends! I am so excited to share today’s post with you!For almost a year now, I have been privileged to be part of a Facebook Group known as Forever Fierce: The Midlife Revolution. This is a Facebook community of over 4,000 women and growing every day, started about a year ago by a truly amazing woman named Catherine Grace O’Connell.
Catherine’s dreams are larger than life, and she is making them come true! And those dreams are only exceeded by the size of her heart for all people! The group is passionate and supercharged about disrupting and dismantling the stereotypes and biases that exist against people because of their age, and becoming a powerful community where midlife women and beyond can find incredible support and inspiration.
“We believe that midlife isn’t an age but rather an experience or a feeling and it’s up to you to decide when you’ve reached midlife. We are coming together to create a collaborative community and to show the world that we are only just beginning. We are intending to shift a paradigm and a perception of women at midlife and beyond by coming together as one. We believe in lifting other women up rather than tearing them down. Together, we empower and inspire one another and send a powerful message to younger generations to look forward to becoming older rather than fearing aging as current marketing would lead you to believe.”
So 50 bloggers were invited to share stories and ideas from women we know, women just like you and me who are taking a Fierce bite out of life every single day and making it happen! The question to be answered,
“What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a midlife woman?”
And that is where our post begins today! I am honored to share these women and their thoughts on that very question in today’s post! So without further ado, lets begin!
My first Fierce Sister is one of my actual sisters! She takes on everything that life brings with such strength, and a sense of humor that is never far away. She will be there for you no matter what… she is the type running in to help when others are running out. She has incredible style, doesn’t know a stranger, and wrote the book on fun! She is the very essence of fierceness, and is faithful to her friends and family through it all. I am so delighted to share her thoughts in this post! Please meet Susan Lear.
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Susan lives in Wesley Chapel, FL. She has 4 adult children, and 2 of them are currently living with her. There are also 3 precious doggie residents, Chance, Shiloh and Mr. Poochie. Her favorite pastime by far is time at the beach. She calls it her therapist, and schedules appointments at least twice a month. She has 2 adorable grandchildren that she loves to visit. She has visions of owning a small business, perhaps a coffee house. Everything on her bucket list is a travel destination, and is determined to make it all happen someday!
Susan, What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a midlife woman?
“My definition of fierce may seem pretty basic to some.
First and foremost, fierce is my love for my children. Whether it was marching in to the principal’s office, or gathering all the strength I had to let them figure it out on their own, sometimes that was very fierce.
Fierce is when I bite my tongue, swallow my sassy, and hide my rage, when the person in front of me surely deserves the full force of my wrath. Fierce is also when I don’t do any of those things and simply let ‘er rip.
Finally, fierce sometimes is simply not hitting the snooze button another time, and dragging my weary self off to a day I just don’t want to face. Fierce is my belief that someday, it will all be worth it.”
Our next Fierce Sister is from Colombia, age 47, living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Please meet Martina.
Martina, What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a mid life woman?
I’m a middle aged woman who knows that the world could break your heart in all imaginable ways. Sometimes life is not fair but you should face the strikes, move on and when you have a broken heart- rebuild it. Despite everything, even when life breaks all your dreams, continue dreaming. Why? Because you’re just the right age to understand. If you don’t dream, if you don’t hope, if you don’t love, what kind of life would you be living? What kind of life would you have if you’re not taking advantage of it? You can’t live with fear. If you fall, get up again!! You are Forever Fierce!!
Our next Fierce Sister is a friend of mine with a poet’s soul. She has a remarkable gift of words that bring life to the page like a Monet painting! Please meet my friend Tricia.
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Tricia spins with us on this awesome spaceship that we call, “Planet Earth”. She sprouts by purposely exercising in rain. She honors hills by running up them, not pacing. She will greet you, and you will immediately know a true friend.
Tricia loves and lives with family and friends in the bold north of the top Midwest. But she has travelled and loved people and cities about the world.
Of dreams, there are two that come to her mind:
1) To move all those she has met and loved around the world to just one place where they could commune and love each other.
2) This might seem a bit strange, but if she could go back in time, she would be her insecure mom’s best friend, reassuring her as they grow up together.
Tricia, What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a midlife woman?
Of fierceness: Well, I’ve always been intense, especially when I was that young, lissome willow, however naive.
Youth: Such a fierce word, that. And how fierce could be the fear of aging, that is until it started happening behind my back. It was about to sucker punch me when I turned to face it, with my left arm up to block it, my dominant arm ready to impart a deft blow. But it backed off a bit. And I saw eminent beauty, alluring with an unfamiliar confidence. Beckoned, I approached, embracing it with love, not fear.
Someone once told me that we come into our own around and after menopause, because we lose the nurturing hormones that had us tending to our families. I say the nurturing just gets redefined, resifted, and spread out differently. Being “Fierce” at 56 means being sharpened sharper than Occam’s Razor cutting out the fat. There comes a whittling, a honing, a sculpting of new priorities. Always tending to be positive, I am finding myself answering, “No,” or “No thank you,” with frequency. Feels good, declining without an explanation. From this lovebug comes a full-on triage of what matters: Saying no can go a long way, but saying “yes” can take us, united, to the end of the trail. But, I’m strong enough to get there on my own, too. With renewed caring and love of self, there comes: Introspection, reflection, and pronounced empathy.
At age 55, I stopped dying my hair, after 35 years of chasing roots. I spent 19 months of awkward roots growing out. I did so proudly and shamelessly, going to work with the “slovenly” contrast of white growth and awful dyed ends… because my authentic, healthy self was the goal.
Being fierce at age 56 means I no longer subvert my Bohemia. I no longer subvert anything really, unless it violates comporting myself with grace and love. I am my loving, beautiful, authentic self.
Our next Fierce lady is a very good friend and mentor to me in so many ways. She is the epitome of an excellent leader, and I am grateful for the encouragement and inspiration I have received from her. She can make you believe that anything is possible simply by watching her go for the very best life has to offer every single day. Please meet Christine Lammers.
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I am 44 years old and live in Canton, MI (a Midwest girl). I’m a #boymom just trying to raise polite and productive human beings. I am blessed to have the best husband on the planet. After 19 years of marriage and 28 years together, we still enjoy each other’s company. I enjoy tennis, skiing, snowmobiling & golf. I’m passionate about my Stella & Dot team. I love the outlet this business has given me to build something I can be proud of while helping other women find their own level of success.
Christine, What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a midlife woman?
For me, being fierce at midlife means being ready to focus on yourself again. Your wants, your needs, and your dreams. Making your health, your personal and your professional goals a priority. Many women get caught up in “mom responsibilities” for a decade or two. That’s a very important stage in our lives, for sure. But midlife is when we come out of the “Mom fog” and decide it’s just as important to take care of ourselves as it is to take care of those around us. We revisit old hobbies. We look at our career and decide if we are on the right path or if it’s time to recalibrate and head in a new direction. You find what you’re passionate about and pursue it with reckless abandon. You’re at your midpoint in life. You realize life’s too short to be unhappy, unfulfilled, or unappreciated. This is your time to shine!
Our next Fierce Sister is another lady I have had the great privilege to work under her incredible creative leadership albeit several years ago. Her beauty on the outside is surpassed only by her beautiful heart. I am truly grateful to call her my friend. Please meet Carrie Childerston.
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Carrie lives in Holland, Mi. She is 58 and is a Communication Coordinator for a Local Non-Profit. She is an Actress, Spokesmodel, and Former Radio Personality.
Her Favorite Past Time: Hiking any trail, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park – She loves them all.
Her dream: To travel the world with her husband, Steve. “We have been married 30 years. I love meeting people from all walks of life and learning more about their world and history.”
IG @carriechilderston
Carrie, What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a midlife woman?
Fierce is a strong and energetic word. I have always considered myself independent and assertive. It has been interesting as I have aged and am now rounding the big 60 how the world has tried, at times, to box me in to their expectation of what my world should be. I tend to rebuff all stereotypes and instead claim my own definition of what these years should be about with a confidence that comes from years of developing an inner strength and self confidence. So I embrace the strength and energy that is required to step into the world I am creating on my terms. A world filled with possibilities and new horizons. Every day is filled with opportunity and new lessons to learn.
I love deeply what time and experience has taught me. Even the most challenging of circumstances have shaped a more positive and energized version of me.
Finally, I was invited to include my own thoughts on this question of Fierceness.
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I’m a Michigan girl, age 56 who loves her mom, dad and siblings dearly. Married now 33 years to my husband and best friend, Troy, we have two wonderful adult sons, and Kasey the Wonder Dog! I work part time at a church with kids, I am an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot, and I love love love writing my blog! It is the fulfillment of a dream, and I would like to take it much further! My passion is encouraging people, and writing.
A dream of mine is to explore the world meeting fascinating people in all ages and stages and sharing their stories. Nothing like a great story to warm the heart and inspire new dreams!
What does being “Fierce” mean to you as a mid life woman?
Being “Fierce” means making the most of what life presents you with. We’ve been given this window in time, our families and friends, each of us equipped with talents, thoughts and ideas as unique as our very fingerprints! And we’ve been through life experiences that have seasoned us, some things that have been beautiful, some harder than anyone will ever know. But all of it has prepared us for this moment in time.
Being Fierce means suiting up everyday, body, mind and soul, so you can be at your best for yourself and others. Sometimes that may require sharing a box of tissues or a banana split among friends. Whatever it takes! Come what may, life has prepared us to not only face it, but to prevail! No watching from the bleachers. We want to be in the game! And we don’t want to leave anyone behind!
Being “Fierce” means daring to dream new dreams! It seeks new adventures, not letting fear of change or anything else to keep us locked in patterns and lifestyles that don’t let us grow. Being Fierce means living expectantly and with confidence, fully believing that no matter where you are at in the story of your life, this can be your favorite chapter, and its about to be amazing!
It has been such a blessing to be a part of this campaign, and many other bloggers shared other women’s voices as well. If you would like to explore the other voices of the campaign, click here: Forever Fierce Day 2018 . If you would like to check out the #ForeverFierce Facebook group, you can click here! You will find fantastic community and a place to learn and laugh and share and grow! They are simply wonderful people!
I would love to know what “Being Fierce” means to you!
Thank you to my lovely friends who contributed to today’s post! And Thank You, my friend for stopping by today to share in this really fun moment!
I will be back tomorrow for another Tasty Tuesday!
Love Always,
Amy
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. ~Jennifer Lee
Amy is married to her high school sweetheart, Troy. They have raised two sons and live in Michigan. She graduated with a degree in education, and loves fashion, fitness, food, fun and most of all she truly loves all people.
Amy I love this post! What a beautiful collection of women you have to call friends!
Thank you, Stacey! It really is a blessing to have a community of “Fierce Sisters”, and that includes you, dear Stacey!
Amy, I am so honored to be a part of this campaign and to be in communion with so many amazing women like yourself! You have featured beautiful, strong, empowered women and I enjoyed reading their stories so much. We cannot be surrounded by too many fierce women at this stage of life…for we all offer something new and unique and powerful that is making this midlife revolution stronger as it moves forward! I am excited to see where we go and I look forward to getting to know you and your blog better as well!
Thank you, Shelbee! I just went and read your post, and it too was so inspiring! It just feels amazing to read these stories! I think the page is turning! Thank you again, Shelbee, and I love your blog!
You have some incredible women right around you—and how fabulous to include your own sister!!
Thanks for being part of the campaign with your wonderful friends and fierce spirit!!
XOXO
Jodie http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was so excited she said yes! I actually am so grateful for her example in my life because she lives fiercely and loves fiercely, and that has been something that has encouraged and empowered me in life! Thank you, Jodie for being such a cheerful, helpful and kind influence and friend! Have a great day!
What wonderful women with powerful words of what it means to be Fierce in midlife. We all learn from each other and this is true as I read their stories. I love the quote at the end as I have it on my personal IG account.
Oh that is awesome! Thank you for your kind words! I am so inspired by all these stories too! By the way, I read your post as well! Just beautiful! Have a great week!
Amy,
How wonderful you have introduced us to women you have known and have admired.
It’s wonderful that they all acknowledge their fierceness with grace and their own permission to live their best life now.
Thank you so much Robin! It is a blessing to have these women in my life! I am grateful for all the Fierce Sisters! And I appreciate your kind words and encouragement! Have a great day!
Amy, thank you for those sweet thoughts. Your gentle, sincere loving nature inspires me and my daughters. I’m blessed in every sense of the word to be your sister. And I never miss your blog! Looking forward to tomorrow as I type!
Susan, you are such a blessing to me! And I love our daily texts (with Stacey too) and sharing all our hopes and dreams! To great things for all of us! I so appreciate all of your encouragement and just the gift of having such wonderful sisters! Thank you so much for being willing to share in this special post!
Dear Amy,
This is lovely. And such a treat to be invited to participate, and to be included with these other interesting woman whose stories I have just enjoyed reading and have learned from. I look forward to more.
And thank you for that sweet introduction.
?
Tricia
Thank you so much for participating! I loved your incredibly beautiful thoughts! I was thinking today how you write with such beauty and ease it reminds me of a wildflower garden! Thank you again for participating! Have a lovely evening!
Great post feature such wonderful unique women. I think it is cool that your featured your fierce sister… your real sister from Florida. I have been enjoying your blog post.
Thank you so much! I was so happy my sister said yes! She is so much fun, and very strong as a person. I love your blog as well, and read it this evening (I had to work until after 9, it was killing me I wanted to get home and read everyone’s posts!) Have a great week!
So wonderful to learn more about these amazing women. Love that you included your sister and someone from my neck of the woods (Seattle)!
Thank you, Lana! I really appreciate your kind words! I stopped by your blog as well, and it made me smile that both of us married high school sweethearts and had 2 sons 🙂 Have a great night!
Amy, Loved reading about all of these wonderfully FIERCE woman! Each is beautiful and unique! Happy Forever Fierce Day!
Julie
I am so happy to be part of this fierce campaign and love reading what forever fierce means to everyone. Really very inspiring.
Debbie
styledesignmusings.com
I totally agree, I have loved this experience as well! Thank you so much for stopping by! (I went to yours as well and it was amazing!) Have a great day!
Hi Amy! What an inspirational read! I loved hearing each of their stories, along with the introduction to each women where you shared a bit about each one. The common thread I’ve read today is that our life experiences, whatever they my be – some sad, some full of joy, make us who we are today. And with midlife comes a freedom to explore exactly who we are meant to be. It’s an honor to be included in this group of bloggers with you!
xx
Suzanne http://www.AskSuznaneBell.com
Oh my goodness, your words are spot on! You really are an excellent writer, and always with such hope and joy! That is why I love your blog! I love your remark “And with midlife comes a freedom to explore exactly who we are meant to be.” “meant to be” somehow brings such a feeling of completeness! I am also honored to be in this group with you, one of my all time favorite most fun joyful bloggers ever 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Yours is one of my favorite posts of the Forever Fierce challenge. Beautiful stories of some pretty incredible ladies. Your darling sister sounds so much like mine.
Your words warm my heart! Thank you so much! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Amy,
I love how your friends made it very clear that midlife is a time of focusing on themselves after so many years of focusing on the needs of others. It’s also way past the time when they grew up and got to know themselves well enough to choose the best path for them and follow it fiercely, no matter what others may think.
Also, you are a good writer ?
Angie http://Www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you so much for your kind words! You have such a fresh approach in your blog post and it stimulates out of the box thinking, which is always a good idea! Its been really mind opening for me and I’ve loved every moment of it! Have a great week!
Amy what a truly lovely post and your sister and all your lovely ladies are fabulous. I love your own definition too…
Thank you so much for the kind words! The campaign has been life-giving! I am so grateful, and grateful to have done this alongside champions like yourself! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Amy…you are a truly talented writer. I love how you laid this post out -the intro to each lady is lovely and warm….
What I took away from their stories was the power of no longer feeling “boxed-in”, being free to craft our lives the way we please and to no hide our true selves and talents. Thank you!!!
Oh my goodness, Rebecca, thank you for your kind words! I loved this project, I learn so much from other women. Have a great week!
31 comments
Amy I love this post! What a beautiful collection of women you have to call friends!
Thank you, Stacey! It really is a blessing to have a community of “Fierce Sisters”, and that includes you, dear Stacey!
Amy, I am so honored to be a part of this campaign and to be in communion with so many amazing women like yourself! You have featured beautiful, strong, empowered women and I enjoyed reading their stories so much. We cannot be surrounded by too many fierce women at this stage of life…for we all offer something new and unique and powerful that is making this midlife revolution stronger as it moves forward! I am excited to see where we go and I look forward to getting to know you and your blog better as well!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you, Shelbee! I just went and read your post, and it too was so inspiring! It just feels amazing to read these stories! I think the page is turning! Thank you again, Shelbee, and I love your blog!
You have some incredible women right around you—and how fabulous to include your own sister!!
Thanks for being part of the campaign with your wonderful friends and fierce spirit!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was so excited she said yes! I actually am so grateful for her example in my life because she lives fiercely and loves fiercely, and that has been something that has encouraged and empowered me in life! Thank you, Jodie for being such a cheerful, helpful and kind influence and friend! Have a great day!
What wonderful women with powerful words of what it means to be Fierce in midlife. We all learn from each other and this is true as I read their stories. I love the quote at the end as I have it on my personal IG account.
Oh that is awesome! Thank you for your kind words! I am so inspired by all these stories too! By the way, I read your post as well! Just beautiful! Have a great week!
Amy,
How wonderful you have introduced us to women you have known and have admired.
It’s wonderful that they all acknowledge their fierceness with grace and their own permission to live their best life now.
Happy Forever Fierce Day!
Robin
https://helloim50ish.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-forever-fierce/
Thank you so much Robin! It is a blessing to have these women in my life! I am grateful for all the Fierce Sisters! And I appreciate your kind words and encouragement! Have a great day!
Amy, thank you for those sweet thoughts. Your gentle, sincere loving nature inspires me and my daughters. I’m blessed in every sense of the word to be your sister. And I never miss your blog! Looking forward to tomorrow as I type!
Susan, you are such a blessing to me! And I love our daily texts (with Stacey too) and sharing all our hopes and dreams! To great things for all of us! I so appreciate all of your encouragement and just the gift of having such wonderful sisters! Thank you so much for being willing to share in this special post!
Dear Amy,
This is lovely. And such a treat to be invited to participate, and to be included with these other interesting woman whose stories I have just enjoyed reading and have learned from. I look forward to more.
And thank you for that sweet introduction.
?
Tricia
Thank you so much for participating! I loved your incredibly beautiful thoughts! I was thinking today how you write with such beauty and ease it reminds me of a wildflower garden! Thank you again for participating! Have a lovely evening!
Great post feature such wonderful unique women. I think it is cool that your featured your fierce sister… your real sister from Florida. I have been enjoying your blog post.
Thank you so much! I was so happy my sister said yes! She is so much fun, and very strong as a person. I love your blog as well, and read it this evening (I had to work until after 9, it was killing me I wanted to get home and read everyone’s posts!) Have a great week!
So wonderful to learn more about these amazing women. Love that you included your sister and someone from my neck of the woods (Seattle)!
Thank you, Lana! I really appreciate your kind words! I stopped by your blog as well, and it made me smile that both of us married high school sweethearts and had 2 sons 🙂 Have a great night!
Amy, Loved reading about all of these wonderfully FIERCE woman! Each is beautiful and unique! Happy Forever Fierce Day!
Julie
I am so happy to be part of this fierce campaign and love reading what forever fierce means to everyone. Really very inspiring.
Debbie
styledesignmusings.com
I totally agree, I have loved this experience as well! Thank you so much for stopping by! (I went to yours as well and it was amazing!) Have a great day!
Hi Amy! What an inspirational read! I loved hearing each of their stories, along with the introduction to each women where you shared a bit about each one. The common thread I’ve read today is that our life experiences, whatever they my be – some sad, some full of joy, make us who we are today. And with midlife comes a freedom to explore exactly who we are meant to be. It’s an honor to be included in this group of bloggers with you!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuznaneBell.com
Oh my goodness, your words are spot on! You really are an excellent writer, and always with such hope and joy! That is why I love your blog! I love your remark “And with midlife comes a freedom to explore exactly who we are meant to be.” “meant to be” somehow brings such a feeling of completeness! I am also honored to be in this group with you, one of my all time favorite most fun joyful bloggers ever 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Yours is one of my favorite posts of the Forever Fierce challenge. Beautiful stories of some pretty incredible ladies. Your darling sister sounds so much like mine.
Your words warm my heart! Thank you so much! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Amy,
I love how your friends made it very clear that midlife is a time of focusing on themselves after so many years of focusing on the needs of others. It’s also way past the time when they grew up and got to know themselves well enough to choose the best path for them and follow it fiercely, no matter what others may think.
Also, you are a good writer ?
Angie
http://Www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you so much for your kind words! You have such a fresh approach in your blog post and it stimulates out of the box thinking, which is always a good idea! Its been really mind opening for me and I’ve loved every moment of it! Have a great week!
Amy what a truly lovely post and your sister and all your lovely ladies are fabulous. I love your own definition too…
Thank you so much for the kind words! The campaign has been life-giving! I am so grateful, and grateful to have done this alongside champions like yourself! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Amy…you are a truly talented writer. I love how you laid this post out -the intro to each lady is lovely and warm….
What I took away from their stories was the power of no longer feeling “boxed-in”, being free to craft our lives the way we please and to no hide our true selves and talents. Thank you!!!
Oh my goodness, Rebecca, thank you for your kind words! I loved this project, I learn so much from other women. Have a great week!