Hey there. If you ever find yourself thinking, I'm

just a mom, I'm just a wife, I'm just

a retiree, or I'm just you

fill in the blank. Then this one's for you. It's

easy to feel reduced to the roles that we play,

but you are so much more. Today, we're

celebrating all the shades that make each of us a

phenomenal woman.

Hey, friend. Ever feel like those old

fashioned ideas about aging just don't fit you? If you're

ready to own this incredible chapter with grace, style, and a touch

of sass, this is your space. Welcome to the aging with

grace and style podcast. I'm Valerie Hatcher, and I'm here

with empowering tips, inspiring stories, and a whole lot of

fun just for us, women over 50. So grab

your favorite beverage, turn up the volume, and let's get

started.

Think about how our role shape us. Being a mother

taught me boundless patience. Well, most

of the time, or let's say more than I had before

motherhood. And the kind of strength that I didn't know

I had, It also taught me how to put

someone else's needs ahead of mine unconditionally.

I grew up as an only child and was used to being first.

So this whole needs thing, it was new to

me. But you know what? I was perfectly fine with

putting his needs before mine. Now on the flip

side, my professional roles have honed

my problem solving and leadership skills.

These experiences are part of what

defines us. But here's the thing.

Sometimes we start to believe that

we're only defined by those rules.

Most people who see me out and about or maybe

follow me online might peg me as a

content creator, a podcaster, or

someone who likes fashion and style or at church. I'm the

bookstore lady. And in the community, I used

to be known as John's mom. And while I love

all of those things, they're just pieces of the puzzle.

There's also the wife, the daughter, the friend.

We all have these layers, but with

all the noise from society, our families,

and even our own self doubt, it's easy to

forget the multitude within us.

Sometimes it takes a conscious effort to rediscover

our multifaceted fabulous selves.

Now I don't wanna downplay the importance of

roles like mother, wife, or professional. They really

are significant. But it's important to

remember those roles while essential,

they don't define your entire being.

Problems arise when these roles start to define us

entirely, obscuring the rest of our

identity, the dreams, the passions, the

unique talents that get buried in the daily

grind. Ever catch yourself thinking,

now I'm retired. I guess I'm supposed to

whatever that might be, or I shouldn't even

think about starting my own business, not at my age.

Life transitions can throw us off balance,

and major changes, even positive ones,

force us to redefine ourselves.

After my son graduated from college and the basketball

mom life, as I knew it was over, I was left wondering

what's next. That's when I remembered how much

I love to write and to block rediscovering

that passion. It opened up a new world for me and it

even led me to revisit my old

college interest in photography.

Sometimes looking back can help us move forward.

Take a moment to reflect what passions from your

past could you bring into your present. Here's a

simple exercise to help you do that. Grab a notebook

and set a timer for maybe let's say around 10 minutes.

Think back on a specific time in your life,

maybe your teenage years or

your young adult years, and write down

everything that brought you joy and excitement during that

time. Don't overthink it like I sometimes

do. Just let the memories flow. This

isn't about practicality. It's about

reconnecting with all the possibilities within you.

Transitions between roles can be

tough, especially as we age, bringing a mix of

excitement and uncertainty. So how do we handle these

shifts? It's it's all about

embracing change and finding balance. I

found that maintaining a hobby or a

passion just for myself outside of any of these

roles, it helps me to stay grounded. What about

you? How do you maintain your sense of

self amidst these changes?

As we talk about the roles that we've played,

let's not forget the thrill of embracing new roles.

Maybe you've taken up a new hobby or you're considering a second

career. That's pretty exciting. Right?

Stepping into new roles can breathe new life into

our days and give us a fresh sense of purpose.

That happened to me when I started podcasting. It was

new, exciting. It was a

challenge to learn, which totally excited

me. Or like my friend who took up pottery

after retiring, discovering the fulfillment of creating

something from scratch. What a fantastic

way to connect with new people and experiences.

So how do we break out of the boxes that

we've been put in? The first step would be

to acknowledge those hidden shades within us.

Remember who you were years ago, the

builder, the storyteller, the dancer.

Life changes, priority shift,

and parts of us get buried. But

those are parts that are still there,

and they're just waiting to be rediscovered.

Being multifaceted isn't always comfortable.

It can feel messy. It can feel overwhelming,

but we look at others and, and who seem to have

it all figured out and we wonder why we can't be the

same. But here's the truth. Embrace

that messiness. It's proof that you

are dynamic, evolving, and

endlessly fascinating work in progress.

And that's a wrap for today's episode. Remember, you

are never too old, too busy, or

too anything else to expand the definition of who you

are. Your identity is limitless

as your imagination allows. So let's shine

a light on all those brilliant shades that make

you, you. Now

let's move from thinking to doing. This

week, try something that you haven't done in years,

or even pick something totally new. Let's

share what you did on social

media, and use the hashtag many shades of

me. Let's create a movement of women embracing

the whole complex and ever evolving beings that

we are. Until next time, remember to keep

aging with grace, style, and a touch of

sass. Thanks

for hanging out with me today. I hope you're feeling inspired

and ready to own your awesomeness. I love sharing this

space with you. And if you love today's episode, do me

a favor. Share it with a friend who could use some extra

inspiration. A quick rating and review really helps

too. Don't forget to subscribe so you never

miss an episode. Let's keep this conversation going.

Head over to pod dot aging with grace and style.com

to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time, keep

shining with grace, style, and a whole

lot of sass.