Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
We are no longer in a hurry and have learnt to let life take its course, while we still strive to give our best efforts.
Recently I was talking with someone who was deep in depression as she had turned 40. She felt that life was over.
It made me think how I feel being in the 40s.
This is an awesome phase of my life. I am finally comfortable in my mind and body. I am no longer interested in either impressing others or care what others think about me.
When I look back I feel that in the 20s…life, love, opportunities seemed limitless. We felt empowered entering the adulthood we dreamt of. Believing that we are going to leave a mark of our existence. We thought that, if this does not work out, there is so much more to be explored. We took big leaps believing in infinite faith in our capacity to bring about change. The years were turbulent as we wanted to control, people, situations and surroundings.
The thirst to leave an imprint on the world, gave the courage to do some unthinkable, daring feats. Some were successful while the others were not. The failures were the stepping stones to contemplation, self growth, the lessons of life.
The 30s were ‘adjusting’. We adjusted in careers, marriages, parenthood, society. These years also made us questions some of the ‘status quos’ as we bent backwards to make everything work. But the questions had started surfacing infrequently. About the meaning of life.
The 40s are a milestone. Even though touted as the new 20, it’s a wiser, matured, mellow and contemplative version of myself.
I look around at my friends and colleagues and marvel at the journey. We have raised children, handled the complexities of matrimony (some resulting in divorces). We are no longer in a hurry and have learnt to let life take its course, while we still strive to give our best efforts.
The children have started becoming our guides to the newer world and sometimes we feel jaded while at other times ripe with life experiences. Sometimes life seems so close while at other times, slipping out of hands like sand at the beachfront.
The journey continues…
Image is a still from the movie Aaja Nachle
A licensed psychotherapist/counselor, writer and an avid gardener. Swati believes that for the inner person to be happy, they have to be in tandem with nature and the surroundings along with their feelings and read more...
This post has published with none or minimal editorial intervention. Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address