The “this chapter is for me” piece

Somewhere along the way, women were handed a strange idea about getting older.

That after a certain age, life is supposed to get quieter.

More predictable.

More responsible.

Less adventurous.

No thanks.

I actually think there comes a point in life when we finally have enough experience to know what we like, what we don’t like, who we want around us, and — maybe most importantly — that we don’t need permission to enjoy our lives.

This Chapter Gets to Be About You, Too

For years, many women build their lives around everyone else.

Careers.

Partners.

Children.

Parents.

Schedules.

Responsibilities.

We become really good at making sure everyone has what they need.

And then somewhere in our 40s or 50s, something shifts.

Maybe the kids are older.

Maybe you moved.

Maybe your career changed.

Maybe your relationships changed.

Or maybe you simply woke up one day and thought:

What do I want now?

That question can feel uncomfortable.

It can also be incredibly freeing.

You Are Allowed to Want More Fun

You are allowed to want girlfriends.

You are allowed to dress up and go somewhere fabulous for absolutely no reason.

You are allowed to take the class.

Book the trip.

Go to dinner.

Dance.

Volunteer.

Try pickleball.

Paint something terrible while drinking wine.

Laugh until your face hurts.

You are allowed to walk into a room where you know nobody and leave knowing three people.

Fun isn’t frivolous.

Connection isn’t optional.

Having something on the calendar that you’re genuinely excited about matters.

Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Make the Plans

This one is tough.

We can spend a lot of time saying:

“I wish I had someone to go with.”

“I wish my friends wanted to do more.”

“I wish I knew more people.”

“I’ve always wanted to try that.”

At some point, we have to stop wishing and start saying yes.

Go anyway.

Join the group.

Buy the ticket.

RSVP.

Be the woman who suggests the plan.

Will everything be amazing? Of course not.

Sometimes the restaurant will be mediocre.

Sometimes the activity will be ridiculous.

Sometimes you’ll meet someone and realize within five minutes that you probably aren’t destined to become lifelong friends.

But sometimes?

You’ll have one of those nights where you think, I really needed this.

And those nights are worth showing up for.

There Is Something Powerful About Trying New Things

New experiences wake us up a little.

They interrupt the routine.

They give us stories.

They introduce us to people we never would have met otherwise.

And they remind us that there is still so much life ahead.

Maybe that’s one of the best parts about getting older.

We stop doing things because we’re supposed to and start choosing things because we actually want to.

Find the Women Who Want to Live a Little, Too

That’s the kind of community I want Lipstick & Jeans to be.

Women who want to get out of the house.

Women who want genuine friendships.

Women who want experiences.

Women who want community.

Women who are willing to walk into the room even when they’re nervous.

You don’t need to be the loudest person there.

You don’t need to know anyone.

You don’t need to have everything figured out.

Just come as you are.

Because your 40s, 50s and beyond aren’t about winding down.

Maybe they’re about finally asking yourself what you want your life to look like — and then going out and creating it.

So say yes. Try the thing. Meet the people. Make the memory.

There’s a lot of life left to live. 💄👖💕