蜜芽传媒

Ageing can quietly unsettle us. It鈥檚 not just the physical changes or another birthday ticked off鈥攊t鈥檚 the creeping sense of time passing, of energy waning, of wondering whether we鈥檙e still seen and heard in the same way. These fears often sit just beneath the surface, unspoken but deeply felt.

But what if they鈥檙e pointing us towards something valuable?

In this episode of The Woman鈥檚 Hour Guide to Life, we鈥檙e exploring the emotional landscape of ageing鈥攁nd how the very things we worry about might hold the key to something empowering. Because growing older isn鈥檛 only about loss. It can bring clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of freedom. It might even be your greatest strength.

We鈥檒l look at how shifting our mindset can help us embrace ageing, rather than resist it鈥攁nd why this stage of life could be one of the most overlooked sources of joy and resilience.

Joining Nuala McGovern are three insightful women who are helping to reshape how we think about ageing:
- Dr Kerry Burnight, 58, a Gerontologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life鈥檚 Second Half.
- Jacqueline Hooton, 62, a personal trainer and 鈥榓geing well鈥� coach behind the Instagram community Her Garden Gym, with over half a million followers鈥攁nd author of Strong.
- Dr Emma Kirkby-Geddes, 57, a therapist and writer of the Substack blog The Ageing Psychologist.

Together, they鈥檒l help us confront the fears, challenge the clich茅s, and discover why ageing might just be the most powerful chapter of all.

Key takeaways from this episode:
- Ageing is a gift, not a flaw. Every year you live is a privilege denied to many. Instead of fixating on wrinkles or grey hairs, celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and stories that come with time.
- Flip the script on compliments. When someone says, 鈥淵ou look good for your age,鈥� smile and say, 鈥淚 just look good.鈥� No qualifiers needed. You鈥檙e not defying age鈥攜ou鈥檙e defining beauty on your own terms.
- Challenge your inner ageist. Notice those sneaky thoughts that equate youth with value. Ask yourself: Where did that belief come from? Then rewrite the narrative. Age doesn鈥檛 diminish you鈥攊t deepens you.

GET IN TOUCH with your dilemmas and questions for The Woman鈥檚 Hour Guide to Life:

*WhatsApp: 03700 100 444

*Social media: @bbcwomanshour

*Email: womanshour.yourviews@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Woman鈥檚 Hour Guide to Life are released on Sundays, only on 蜜芽传媒 Sounds and you can also watch videos from the recordings on Instagram @bbcwomanshour

Links to episodes:
Guide to Life: Is Friendship Just Another Task? /sounds/play/p0m4q078
Guide to Life: Ambition Without Burnout: /sounds/play/p0m5532v
Guide to Life: Challenging Your Money Mindset: /sounds/play/p0m554dk

The Woman's Hour Guide to Life is presented by Nuala McGovern. It is produced by Sarah-Jane Griffiths with Sophie Powling. Digital and audio production is by David Lloyd. The Content Editor is Olivia Bolton. The Executive Editor is Karen Dalziel.

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