Eight weeks from now: the 50th

Thursday, November 2, 2017 Permalink

In eight weeks from now I will be turning 50.

I know I know… you’re aghast. I look so youthful. And I behave like a young sprightly thing. Well, not physically, but still…

Thankfully I’m more zen than I expected about turning 50.

It wasn’t always the case. I felt there was so much I hadn’t done. Hadn’t accomplished. Time and life had passed me by.

And then in mid-late 2016 I met a group of women of a similar age and realised that I didn’t think of them as ‘old’. I thought of them as fabulous and realised they still had a heap of things they wanted to achieve – personally and professionally.

Sure, I do look at some people my age (or sometimes younger) and think they look bloody old and decrepit. And I feel that way myself quite often.

But in some ways my lack of partner and kids means my mindset is a bit like someone much younger. I still remember declaring (in my mid 30s) that I was finally ready to date. About 15yrs after everyone else my age.

So, perhaps I’m just a late bloomer. Or emotionally stunted. 😉

Anyhoo, all of that aside, it appears my milestone birthday is looming, and I’m sorry to say I’m doing poorly on my #5before50 bucket list.

Interestingly I’ve actually added my 5th goal to the list. At last. And I’ve kinda cheated cos it’s ‘doing something for my 50th’.

the 50th

You might remember I was forced to start thinking about celebrations at the request of some friends back in June.

Well… I’m getting closer to a plan. I’ve tossed around A LOT of ideas – some of which I mention in that old post – as well as the limitations (friends vs families; expensive and busy time of year etc).

Initially (on securing a full-time job and no longer being as financially-challenged) I thought I might take a few friends away to some gorgeous house by the beach somewhere. And then I realised I already live in a quite-nice house by the beach. The cost of exclusive retreats and B & Bs (etc) is a bit prohibitive and I don’t want to ask my friends to pay their own way… though I know a couple of my closest friends have indicated they’re willing to do so.

Of course, my new plans to go to Italy next year mean that I have something MAJOR to look forward to in my future. But… I still want to mark this milestone somehow.

So my latest thinking involves a small local celebration. Perhaps stealing a friend’s idea of a champagne and sunset cruise for a smallish group of devotees (ahem) friends. Although my biggest fear (of course) is that it’s a terrible time of year (not just because others have a myriad of commitments and are often away) but also because we’re more than likely to be bombarded with buckets of rain or – worse still – a cyclone.

I know however, I want to do SOMETHING. The Italy trip means it’ll probably be more low-key than originally planned, but I need to plan something cos that way at least I’ll have achieved TWO of my #5before50 birthday goals!

What do you think of the sunset cruise idea? Anyone know what the weather’s going to be like between Christmas and New Year? Oh… and are you at all surprised I’m failing in my #50before50 goals?

The Lovin’ Life team includes:

50 Shades of Age | Seize the Day Project | And Anyways | Write of the Middle | Deep Fried Fruit.

38 Comments
  • Ingrid Ingrid
    November 2, 2017

    A sunset cruise with friends sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!

    Ingrid
    http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2017

      Yes… am just a little worried about pre-booking and then stressing about the weather. Keen to make it a stress-free thing. But a ‘dinner’ seems a bit boring and not very celebratory.

  • Lydia C. Lee
    November 2, 2017

    A sunset cruise sounds pretty spectacular. I love being on the water and sunset. Just fabulous!

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2017

      Yes, the one I went on was in winter and was lovely. I’m just a tad worried about the heat and storms etc… It wouldn’t be much fun if it was raining. And I’m not sure if I’d be locked into it or able to cancel at the last minute!

  • mydaymywaysite
    November 2, 2017

    Have fun planning your party, Deborah! You can even have your #3 goal achieved for your 50th birthday.

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2017

      Some friends and I are actually having a makeup party of sorts in a couple of weeks but I doubt photos are a possibility after (cos there will be champagne and we’ll be doing it ourselves)… but yes. I was going to try to get something professional but perhaps I need to ditch that idea!

  • Sydney Shop Girl
    November 2, 2017

    The sunset cruise is an brilliant idea! And enough time to make it happen,

    SSG xxx

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2017

      Very true. Sadly also enough time to stress endlessly about the weather, which will be out of my control, but something I’ll obsess about nonetheless (as if it would be a failing on my part!). *sigh*

  • Vanessa
    November 2, 2017

    Well I missed the last sunset cruise because of my tonsils so I think it’s awesome that you’d have another just for me haha 🙂 If I could align some greyhound times to get there I’d come! I don’t like driving enough to drive…

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      The last cruise was great Vanessa. A lovely night… though winter so a bit cooler.

  • Jodie
    November 2, 2017

    Any celebration is a fabulous celebration, because like it or not…age is a blessing!!! Although being 50 may seem old to some—I think we can be considered only half way there!!!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Ha, true. I think at some point I realised that ‘celebrating’ it helps me accept it… if that makes sense.

  • Jan Wild
    November 2, 2017

    Stop stressing about the weather and book that cruise! Make sure there is an undercover space on the boat and all will be well.

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Ah yes, that’s the problematic part is that you wouldn’t really see anything from the inside parts of the boats. They’re used for whale watching and then in the off-season for sunset cruises etc…

  • writeofthemiddle
    November 2, 2017

    I love the sound of a sunset cruise with friends to celebrate! Turning 5O isn’t so bad! #TeamLovinLife

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Yes, I think turning 40 was probably worse. Biological clock ticking, still hoping I’d meet the man of my dreams etc… I’ve kinda given up on that stuff by now.

  • Denyse Whelan
    November 2, 2017

    Like many have already said, the sunset cruise sounds like a great idea. However, before then maybe could you add to your list “Stop worrying about things out of my control” and then, party on dude!! Say the weather is crap..they come back to your place. YOU are why they want to celebrate and I think no matter where it is YOU will be that (hard as it is) centre of attention. Glad you have plans. Yes I am. Denyse xx

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      That’s true Denyse, though I’d want people to have a good time so would worry about anything I organise being successful!

  • Jo
    November 2, 2017

    Ok, I reckon the sunset cruise sounds like a good idea. But what do I know? I spent my 50th birthday on a Jetstar flight…so surreal.

  • Kathy Marris
    November 2, 2017

    The sunset cruise sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your 50th Deb. I love doing these type of things with friends. I I had a big party for my 50th and loved being the centre of attention for one night. However when I turned 60 this year I didn’t want to have a bar of a party so just had a small lunch with friends then a dinner out with family. My Med cruise and trip to Italy was the main celebration of my 60th year and it was incredible. You will love Italy! #TeamLovinLife

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      I hope so Kathy but I think I’ll find it hard to think of the Italy trip as being part of bday celebrations given the 10mth gap. I remember for my 40th I had fantasies about the whole centre of attention thing as I’d never gotten to have that with a wedding!

  • unclutteryouruniverse
    November 2, 2017

    What about a a late afternoon drinks & nibbles cruise and then dinner & party on land and that way, if the weather isn’t so good its not the whole event in question.

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      True Jenni. One of the cruises is only short and would allow dinner as well….

  • leannelc
    November 2, 2017

    I remember the pus and pain of trying to come up with something for my 50th that didn’t involve me stepping too far out of my comfort zone. I think your cruise sounds lovely, but so would having something small (and maybe catered) at your own place? Good luck and I’m sure we’ll all enjoy seeing the pics of your big day.

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Oh yes, I didn’t want to have to do anything… which is why I was initially thinking about booking a holiday with just a couple of friends or hanging out at some nice house / resort or something (though we’d then have to cook!).

  • Emma
    November 3, 2017

    This is why I never do parties but always go away for my birthday – so much planning and thinking to do. I would say a river cruise sounds lovely though – as does anything (in my world at least) with alcohol 🙂

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Ah yes… wine will make everything enjoyable! 🙂

  • passion fruit, paws and peonies
    November 3, 2017

    Thumbs up to the sunset cruise idea. My 50th is 2019 and my husband is trying to pin me down with plans already! The idea is book ahead and chill! Have a great time whatever you end up doing xx #Lovin’LifeLinky

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      I was a bit surprised when friends asked me in June about my birthday. I think two of my closest friends are coming here at that time of year no matter what, it’s more a matter of what I do…

  • jjalki06
    November 3, 2017

    Maybe you could include a road trip into your bday celebrations… you get to tick off two then!!!! What ever you do I’m sure it will be fabulous!! #teamlovinlife

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      True. I’d sort of thought about heading inland for the road trip – to country towns and old pubs. But given my lack of planning it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. (I guess it’s my list so I could make it a half-hour trip away if I wanted!) 😉

  • julieinthemaking
    November 3, 2017

    A sunset cruise sound fabulous. I love getting towards 50 too and do the novel thing.

    • Debbish
      November 3, 2017

      Ah yes… the novel thing isn’t going too well, though I’ve decided I’m doing NaNoWriMo, which involves writing 50,000 words in November. In reality I should ‘finish’ something I’ve started rather than starting from scratch. I’m trying to work out if I should finish something dodgy I started on and very half-heartedly self-publish (rather than doing so more professionally) just to be able to tick it off my list.

  • middleagedmamaoz
    November 3, 2017

    The sunset cruise sounds brilliant – do it. So jelly you are off to Italy next year! I’m curious, that bunch of awesome women wouldn’t have been the gang at PBEvent now would it?!!!

  • Michelle W (@pinkypoinker)
    November 5, 2017

    A sunset cruise sounds lovely. As long as it’s not rough of course!

    • Debbish
      November 6, 2017

      Ah yes… it wasn’t the last time we went, though the subsequent whale watch cruise we were on was pretty rough, but fun nonetheless.

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