This site has allowed me to spend time with both younger and older women and I can’t emphasize how refreshing and eye-opening it can be to befriend a woman who isn’t your age. If you work in an office, you might spend time with women of various ages, but beyond meetings, how much time do you really spend with them personally? Most of us befriend peers, women who are at the same stages of their life as we are—friends you can commiserate and celebrate with. Those are vital relationships.
But spending time with women who are a older or younger than you (and I do not mean by 5 years), if you are paying attention to them, can offer unexpected perspectives on ideas and issues you don’t usually address. Younger women today think differently than I did when I was their age. They seem a lot more straightforward and open-minded (even though I think I am, and was open-minded, too) and are fearless in their decision making—from how they choose to dress, to what they want to speak up about.
Older women are sage, don’t get riled up because they’ve already been through whatever it is before, and are bold in pursuing what genuinely makes them happy. We should pay attention, and be in awe of, older women. Plus being with them can challenge you to think about your future and how you will deal with the inevitables that arise (retiring, rebooting your career, grandchildren, death of a loved one or partner). This is not meant to sound depressing. Hopefully you will live a long life. One in which you have younger women to keep you aware of how the world is evolving (because it will and there will be things you don’t like or get) and older women to show you a clear path forward.
Jane Campion and Nicole Kidman courtesy Porter magazine
Lynette says
One of my best friends is 30 years older. She is such an inspiration and we laugh constantly. Being an older mom (54 with a 4 and 7 yr old) I don’t fit into the norm. Younger moms have set me free to express my true self. I help them to calm down abit. It’s a great place to be.