Breaking the myths of middle age.
In a little town on the East Coast of South Africa, a group of moms embarked on a activity that would lead to 30+ years of friendship and adventure.
When I turned 30, I looked back on my 20’s and thought those would be the best 10 years of my life. When I turned 40, I looked back and thought I was wrong, and these had been the best 10 years of my life.
Now that I’m turning 50, I know these next 10 years, and the 10 after that are just going to get better and better.”
“Its just gets better and better”.The older you get, the more exciting life becomes!
Janine stands barefoot on a chair, surrounded by friends and family listening to her give a birthday speech. We know she is right.
20 years before these words were spoken, tucked away in a little town on the East Coast of South Africa, a group of moms exchange pleasantries while dropping their children off at school. One mom suggests a social-jog to get to know each other, another suggests a post jog cup of tea at the cafe by the beach, and without realizing it, this group of ladies embarked on their first activity that would lead to 30+ years of friendship and adventure.
“Make friends where you can. The people you surround yourself with, are the people that shape you”.
What started as a daily run and tea, quickly turned into cross-country hiking trips through South Africa, 6-week long cycle trips through Europe, yachting off the coast of Greece, and surf lessons at their local beach break. This inspirational group of women don’t realise how contagious their adventurous spirit is, and how influential they are to the community around them.
To themselves, they are a group of friends who like to explore any excursion they can come up with. To onlookers, they are a great example of how life gets better the older you get.
“Explore ideas that interest you and don’t waste time on doing things you’ll never remember”.
It’s not just physical exercise that interests these diverse women. Bookclubs, bird watching, gardening and cooking activities were all added to the agenda to include everyone’s interests, and this was achieved without turning the group into a clique, as one might expect.
If ever you found yourself in their presence, an invite for tea would always be extended your way.
It’s hard to identify who is a core part of this group, because it grows and changes as time goes by, and somehow, still maintains the closeknit feel that there has been from the start. People take interest in a particular sport or hobby and join for the activities they can, while still juggling the busy life of a mother, wife and professional.
Whatever the activity, the day is always concluded with a cup of hot tea, and a brief few moments to reminisce on the day, reconnect with one another and plan the next adventure. Life advice offered by this group is simple and straightforward. There is never a need for drama.
Remember them on your next adventure, and ask yourself how you want to look back on your life in 10 years”..
If you speak to any of these women, you’ll find that they are the way they are, simply because they do what they love with the friends that they love doing it with. There’s no social media pressure keeping them accountable. In fact, most of their social media accounts are only active to keep updated with their kids who have moved away.
This group of women grabbed every opportunity for excitement and experienced each adventure with open hearts and open minds. Life advice offered by this group is simple and straightforward.
They make it seem like the older you get, the more exciting life becomes! People who are graced with their presence are excited to see what the next 10 years holds for them.
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