Show Notes:

Summary:

In this episode of "Aging with Grace and Style," Valerie dives deep into the concept of presence and how to amplify it in our lives as women over 50. Valerie breaks down the idea of presence as a combination of confidence, self-acceptance, and portraying a sense of purpose. She challenges common stereotypes associated with aging and discusses practical ways to cultivate a more impactful presence, such as adjusting posture, refining the way we speak, and adopting an empowering mindset. Using personal anecdotes and relatable advice, Valerie inspires you to embrace your age with confidence and redefine what it means to be a woman over 50 in today's world.

Timestamps:

00:02 Introduction to owning your power and presence over 50

01:16 The true essence of presence and self-belief

02:25 Challenging societal pressures and the quest for perfection

03:42 Addressing the "invisible woman" stereotype and its impacts

06:10 Empowering responses to age-related stereotypes

07:04 Practical tips for enhancing self-presence

09:37 Using your voice effectively to command respect

11:21 Looking ahead to communication strategies for respect and presence

12:10 Weekly challenge: Observing and emulating presence

13:06 Closing thoughts and invitation to engage with the podcast community

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize and reject the "invisible woman" stereotype by embracing your experiences as sources of strength and vitality.
• Focus on internal confidence and self-acceptance over external appearances to authentically project your presence and charisma.
• Adjust your posture and speaking habits to convey confidence; sit tall, use clear, intentional speech, and avoid ending statements as if they are questions.
• Continuously challenge negative self-talk by affirming the value of your experiences and the validity of your contributions.
• Observe and emulate the subtle qualities of individuals who exemplify strong presence to enhance your own demeanor while maintaining your authenticity.

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Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.

See you soon!

Do you ever feel like you're fading into the background, like

people aren't seeing the real you, or that your best

years are behind you? Well, I say forget that

nonsense. Today, we're talking about how

to own your power and radiate that undeniable

presence, especially as women over 50.

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.

Have you ever met someone who just radiates confidence?

It might not be in your face bold, but more

like a quiet certainty. They walk into a room

and even without a single word, you know

there's substance there. That, my friend, is the

power of presence, and it has way less

to do with how you look and everything to do

with how you feel about yourself. Now

I love a great power suit as most

of us do, but the truth is

we can spend a fortune on clothes, skincare, the

works. And if we don't believe in ourselves,

then that inner glow, it won't shine through. I

know because I've been there. Think about it.

When you're feeling genuinely happy,

excited, or passionate about something, it

shows your eyes light up, you

stand a little taller, your voice carries more energy.

That's the kind of magnetism that draws people to

you, regardless of your wrinkles or what size

dress you wear. Too often,

we get caught in the trap of chasing some

idealized version of perfect, especially

as we get older. We feel pressured to look

younger, thinner, or whatever societal

trends dictate. But here's the secret,

trying to be something that we're not actually

undermines our presence. It makes us appear insecure

and inauthentic, but here's

the challenge, Instead of trying

to fit someone else's mold,

let's focus on what truly makes

us powerful. So remember, true

presence comes from within confidence,

self acceptance, and a sense of

purpose. And chasing external

ideals often backfires, making us look like, I don't

know, like we're trying too hard. And the energy we

project, excited, genuine,

passionate. It has more impact than

outward appearance. Okay. Let's

talk about the elephant in the room. As women over

50, we sometimes have to deal with the stereotype of

being invisible, not taken seriously,

overlooked for opportunities, made to feel as

if our best years are behind this.

Newsflash. That's complete nonsense. I

know this is the second time I've said nonsense today, but it

is, it's nonsense. And it's not just at

work. This invisible woman stereotype,

it seeps into all areas of

life, even being ignored

in a social setting, or have

you maybe felt like the younger generations just don't

get you? Maybe you've even felt brushed aside

in the dating world as if age automatically cancels you

out. And let's think about those

outdated terms sometimes thrown at us, like

past her prime or the dreaded over the hill.

Those phrases are designed to make us feel diminished

and out of touch. But here's the thing, my friend,

we get to redefine what those terms

mean. Sometimes it's subtle,

it's that quick glance away in a conversation,

the assumption that you don't have anything relevant to

say, or being passed over for a project

that you could totally rock, it can be

frustrating. But instead of

letting those subtle moments, those stereotypes

chip away at our power, let's turn them into fuel.

Every time you rise above those expectations, every

time you speak your truth, every time you bring

your unique perspective to the table, you

are defying the stereotype and paving the way for women

behind you. What we've lived through,

what we've learned over the years, that's our

superpower. Our experiences, both the

triumphs and the struggles have shaped us into the

wise, capable, and frankly, pretty

darn fabulous women that we are today. So let's own

it. That means refusing to

be erased. It means demanding to be

seen and respected. Here's what I

want you to remember from this. The invisible woman

stereotype is pervasive and seeks to diminish the

value of women over 50. It often

manifests in in subtle ways, but

the impact can be significant.

Defy the stereotype by owning your experience,

your knowledge, and perspective as sources of

power, and be a role model for younger women by

refusing to let ages stereotypes hold

you back. Now, all this

talk about owning your presence, it's not just a

fluffy concept. There are real

tangible things that we can do to boost how

we carry ourselves. So let's

start with what's going on inside our heads.

So often it's those negative thought patterns that hold

us back. Who am I to share my opinion?

No one cares what I have to say. Or my favorite,

it's too late for me to go after what I want. Do any of those

sound familiar? If we don't believe in ourselves,

that hesitation leaks out in how we show

up. Girl, it is time to rewrite

the script. Instead, try this.

My experiences are valuable. I have a unique

perspective to offer, or it's never too late to make

changes. Even if you don't fully believe it at

first, just keep repeating these

shifts, just keeping on repeating

these shifts your mindset gradually.

So here's the funny one. At times,

I've caught myself walking around with

this slightly hunched posture. Like, I was apologizing

for taking up space. Then one day, I walked by the

mirror and it was like a light bulb went off. I said,

oh no, you need to stand up. Just

standing up straighter, shoulders relaxed, chin up,

it changed how I felt instantly.

See, something as simple as posture

makes a huge difference. Try this right now,

slouch down in your chair, and yes, I'm doing it with you,

chin tuck. Now, sit up tall,

shoulders back, head high Feel the difference?

How we hold our bodies tells the world and ourselves

whether we're confident or we're shrinking.

And let's talk about our voices. I have a friend who

is naturally a bit on the softer

side. And sometimes if she gets nervous, she gets

even quieter, almost like a whisper,

not exactly commanding a room. Right? She

started practicing even just ordering a coffee,

speaking clearly, projecting a bit more, not letting her

voice trail off at the end of the sentences. It sounds

silly, but those small things add up.

Your voice, it's a powerful tool.

It's not about blasting people out of their seats, but about

speaking with clarity and intention.

Also notice if you, in sentences

on an upward note, making it sound like a question.

For instance, I feel this report reflects the

information you requested. I've heard people at work do

this. It it gives the appearance that you're not

confident in what you say. So

slight shift downward projects more certainty.

And that's just the power of using your voice

with intention. It might sound like a small detail,

but believe me, the way you speak has a

huge impact on how you're perceived. This goes hand

in hand with what we've talked about earlier.

I know that that was a lot, so here's a recap of a few

points. Shifting your mindset even

slightly has a powerful ripple effect

on your presence. Posture isn't about

being rigid, but it's about taking up the space that you

deserve and practice using your voice

intentionally, especially in everyday

situations. Presence is built bit by bit with

our thoughts, our posture, how we use our

voices. And next week, we're gonna go

there. Communication strategies that help us not

just be heard, but to be respected,

whether it's at work, with friends,

or even in those difficult family

conversations. We're gonna tackle it all together.

Now these might seem like small adjustments,

but trust me, they add up.

Our physical presence and our inner presence

are connected. Remember, your experiences

and the knowledge you've gained. Those are your superpowers.

Embrace the confident, capable, incredible

woman that you are today. Let that inner

light shine through in everything you do.

This week, your challenge is to

observe someone that you find has amazing

presence. Identify one thing that they do. It could

be their posture or how they use their voice

or the way they carry themselves, and practice

emulating it. Now I don't mean copy them. You still

have to be your authentic self. Just pick up

some pointers or things that stand out.

And next week, again, we're talking about communication,

how to speak up, be heard, and command

respect in the workplace and beyond. Until

then, keep showing up for yourself, keep inspiring

the women around you.

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.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.