It didn’t seem possible to me, at 63, to realize my dreams and become a model. I had done modeling much earlier in my life, in my 20s and 30s. I was part of the first generation of plus size models and had a lot of fun doing photo shoots for magazines and newspapers, showcasing the latest trends and fashions available to us bigger girls.
At the time, we didn’t see a lot of older or bigger models walking the runways or appearing in magazines, and it was so exciting to be part of this growing shift in inclusivity and body diversity.
If not now when?
I dreamed of returning to the world of modeling and rekindling the joy and fun I had experienced as a young model. However, I continued to put the idea on the back burner. I figured I was too old to think about doing that again, and anyway, who would be interested?
I was also afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do it like I have arthritis. How would I cope if I had a bad day? However, no matter how much I tried to talk myself out of pursuing this dream, it just wouldn’t go away.
Year after year the idea grew and grew until it got to the point where I thought I should at least try it.
Often, it’s easier to not follow through on our dreams, because then we can tell ourselves that we’ve never failed. But we never really pursued them, did we? However, I got to a point where I knew that even if it didn’t work, I could at least tell myself that I tried, and that felt good.
For me, I realized it wasn’t just about modeling anymore. It was about being visible in my own life. It was about having the courage to say that I still have dreams; I always want to experience new things and I always want to present myself in new and wonderful ways in my life. I am also passionate about the pro age movement it’s about celebrating our age and not letting negative stereotypes about aging hold us back.
Your dreams are there to move you forward
What are your dreams? Have you thought about what you are passionate about? What fills you, delights you, or makes you feel alive? These are your clues to something that is just waiting to be seen, heard, or born within you.
Do you follow these whispers of your inner wisdom, or do you let them pass you by? Neither solution is right or wrong. All that matters is what brings you a sense of fulfillment, joy, peace and that you have honored yourself.
I met the most fabulous woman in one of my body confidence and age empowerment workshops. She shared that she had a secret dream of writing a book. She had accompanied him for 40 years. There had never been a good time for her to do so. First it was her family that took priority, then it was a project at work and after that she spent much of her time caring for her elderly parents.
As she spoke in the studio, her voice shook with emotion as she wondered if she would finally write her book. It turned out that she had lost confidence in herself and her ability to write. I asked him if the dream was still there. She nodded, yes.
I wondered who would write the book if she didn’t. She shrugged and said no one could because no one knew her story. I asked him if that suited him. That his story would never be told. She shook her head and said that wasn’t the case.
At this point her energy changed and she seemed to be sitting a little taller in her chair. She said: “But how to do it? How to start this journey? It’s overwhelming and maybe I left it too late.
The first thing to remember is that it’s never too late. There is always a way, even if that path may be completely different from what you imagined.
As the workshop continued, I shared some of the most powerful tools and deeply helpful attitudes we can have to manifest our deepest desires. Here I am sharing five of these tips with you today and I hope they help you make your own dreams and wishes come true. I’m so happy to say that the lady in the studio is currently pursuing a book deal with a fabulous agency.
Five steps to fulfillment!
Never give up
Many people give up on their dreams just before they manifest in their lives. When what we want doesn’t happen immediately, it can seem difficult to continue. We may become tired or despair with everything that is constantly changing.
We may have faced rejection after rejection and in the end we stop trying. However, if this matters to you, it is important that you find a way to bring your passion to life. Very often we can view people who seem to have succeeded in achieving their dreams as if they were an overnight success.
However, as many of these people will tell you, “overnight success” took 20 years or more!
Own who you are and use it where you are!
At 63, I am no longer the dreamy young woman I once was. I have gone through my own challenges in life and I know more about what I want now and why I want it. For me, becoming a model was, above all, about promoting the message of positive aging. That even at 60, 70, 80 or beyond, we are still visible and have a passion for life.
Take stock of where you are and think about how you can use your current situation in the most positive way. Everything you have experienced is valuable and when you create something from that perspective, you are creating authentically.
Take Inspired Action
This is a huge question. There’s no point in just talking about what you want to happen in your life – you need to take small, inspired actions every day. Inspired action is about following through on your deepest knowing.
Look for the things that make you feel alive or that whisper to your heart. Start to notice where and what attracts you and be open to seizing the opportunities that come your way that match your dreams.
Act as if what you want has already happened
I like this one because it puts you in the space where you have already achieved your dreams and goals. In order to manifest something new in our lives, we must live from the perspective of where we are already there. In practical terms, this means feeling the joy you would feel if you had already achieved your goals.
It means embodying a feeling of excitement and happiness that you have already achieved what you desire. Children do it automatically. If they want to be a queen, they walk around the house like a queen and wear formal clothes that make them feel like a queen.
As adults, we need to rekindle some of the joy we once had as children and enter a fantasy world. In this way we begin to “prime” the mind and body for what will happen as we mentally rehearse and play with our visions.
See the big picture
Our dreams are there to move us forward. Maybe we are looking to create something new in our life or dream of starting a business, return to college to study, write a bookby becoming an artist or songwriter or simply, we desire to live in an environment that supports us and makes us feel connected to the earth.
No matter what your dream is, it matters that it has meaning for you. It is in the pursuit of our dreams and desires that we grow and discover more of who we are. Every struggle brings an opportunity to find a solution; every setback helps strengthen our resilience. Every success can be shared with someone else and ultimately we can pass on the knowledge we have gained and inspire others to achieve their dreams as well.
As someone who has lived with arthritis for over 20 years, this seems like a new and exciting adventure. I hope to be able to bring a positive voice to anyone who has ever felt like they weren’t good enough, didn’t fit in, or were struggling with their own health issues.
Go and do it
Hope this helps. If you want to revive something you loved doing, go for it! Don’t let anything get in your way. Refuse to let your wild and wonderful spirit be tamed or think you can’t do something.
There is always a way. This may mean you have to change how you do things or find a different route, but it can be done. You are far too precious not to follow those things that breathe new life into your soul and bring you fulfillment, joy and inner peace. If you would like to follow my journey and receive more advice and motivation, follow me on Instagram @romancingyourbody.
Let’s have a conversation:
What dreams would you like to revive? Have you started working on their creation?
