Around the world, millions of women feel the need to achieve specific 'goals' by a certain age to avoid being considered obsolete, leftover or expired as marriage material.
Last month I hit 27, according to a survey conducted by skincare brand, SK-II*, both men and women suggested 27 is a female's prime age. Prime age for what exactly though? Settling down? Marriage? Kids? Or an on-track career?
The same survey also revealed 1 out of 3 women in Asia feel that there’s a pre-decided timeline for how to live your life and when to do things, that they are expected to follow.
Society in the UK has also created a discouraging pressure for women to have life sorted by the age of 30, but is this too much? Of course, it is!
Dress: Mr Larkin / Bangles: Ol & Co/ Necklaces: Ol & Co / Earrings: Still With You / Shoes: Converse
Admittedly I used to feel quite anxious about approaching mid 20's and eventually 30 (and still do to a certain extent); as a young impressionable adult in the sixth form, I succumbed to the pressures of tutors telling me University was the only answer, the only plausible option if I wanted a successful career in the creative industry. Ten years later and what do I have to show for it? A 3-year art school portfolio reflecting a lot of time wasting, a CV exhibiting how to hop between mindless retail jobs and some excellent travelling pictures from a year in Oz. (albeit a bloody great year). It's only in the past 18 months I think I've somewhat started to get my (for want of a better word) 'shit' together, and I'm totally ok with that now! Because through the power of Instagram and blogging I've connected with an excess of women who are entirely in the identical situation to myself (More so than women who have 'got life sorted' so to speak). Meeting like-minded women has made me feel less guilty about what I thought was a waste of 9 years and taught those previous years are what formed me as a person. As I approach the final few years of my 20's, I'm starting to find my feet in the world of influencers and understand myself. I'm more excited for this chapter of my life than any other point thus far. Encouragement (not pressure!) from close friends, blogging pals and family has given me the confidence to listen to my heart and finally change my destiny. Later this year I will be making 'that leap of faith.' (Those of you who know, know) So watch this space for more news!
From a young age, it can feel like we are trained to follow life's generic template. But must we achieve certain things by a certain age? Must there really be a prime age? Everyone's definition of success is different, but I feel at no point should you feel pressured by age, the saying 'age is just number' couldn't ring truer. It's important to set your own individual goals in life regardless of society's norms.
Sk-II's survey also revealed there is a huge urge to open up and talk about these topics as 7 out of 10 women in Asia surveyed state that anxiety stemming from ageing is something they want to discuss with others.
So let's talk about it! The more we open up and empower others, the better. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Do you feel pressures of getting older? How do you overcome these pressures?
In collaboration with SK-II - all opinions are my own. Photography by Oliver Hooson.
*This survey was conducted online by Procter & Gamble in May 2017 among 4280 women and 3261 men ages 18 years of age and older in the following countries Japan (n=1006), Korea (n=1010), China (n=1006), Hong Kong (n= 301), Taiwan (n= 303), Thailand (n= 302), Malaysia (n=309), Indonesia (n= 304), United States (n= 1000) , United Kingdom (n= 1000) and Australia (n=1000).
