Inspiration for this post: Podcast: Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford
Lately, I’ve been sitting with some uncomfortable thoughts. Thoughts that whisper, “Maybe I’m too old for this.”
Too old to build something new.
Too old to take big risks.
Too old to dream bigger.
And for a while, I let those thoughts settle in. They sounded reasonable. Practical. Responsible. I even told myself, “Maybe I should just stay at my 9–5. Maybe now’s the time to focus on retirement and playing it safe.”
But then I paused. I started doing some soul work — digging into where these doubts were coming from. And what I realized was this: those thoughts weren’t rooted in truth…
They were rooted in ageism.
That insidious message that says our value has an expiration date. That says risk, joy, adventure, and ambition have to fade with each birthday. That tells women — especially Black women — that the best parts of us are behind us.
I call B.S.
What I’ve come to understand is this:
I am not too old to run a business.
I am not too old to take up space.
I am not too old to be seen, celebrated, or remembered.
And neither are you.
This realization lit a fire in me. And I know I’m not alone. So many of us have put off the things that matter to us — not because we don’t want them anymore, but because we’ve been told we’re late to the game.
Maybe for you it’s not building a business.
Maybe it’s taking that solo trip.
Maybe it’s finally booking the portrait session you keep pushing off.
Maybe it’s saying yes to joy. To beauty. To you.
You’re not too old. You’re right on time.
You don’t need permission. But if you were looking for a sign, this is it.
You’re allowed to dream. To be visible. To leave your mark.
Be the first to comment