Letter from Nicole

from Get it Magazine April 2023 Issue

GET YOUR Horoscope

— Editor —

My first book for adults is being published this year. I signed the book deal the year I turned 40. I’ll turn 42 a month after it comes out.

The completion of such an enormous project ignited something in me. The desire to do more. Perhaps return to study, create a podcast, write another book.

Learning, goal kicking, and achieving things, be they big or small, nourish one’s soul.

But often, we get so caught up in the trenches of life, that we relegate this stage of life to our twenties and thirties, leaving midlife and beyond to survive, rather than thrive. To dedicate to others – our children, our spouse, our parents.

That’s not to say we’re not enjoying our lives. But the prospect of designing our life, learning new things, and discovering ourselves doesn’t end at 40. Or 50. Or 60. Or 70, or even 80.

It’s what life’s all about.

That’s why this issue is extra special to me. It’s all about women who have transformed their lives after 40.

We also hear from a group of women who share the best advice they’ve ever received, the advice they’d give their younger selves.

We meet one woman, who pulled herself out of $100k of debt, only to become a millionaire later in life.

Whether it’s a new career, new love, a new qualification, a project, your first home, your tenth home, another new language, or a trip around the world – it’s never too late.

Life is more fulfilling when you’re learning, and doing, and loving, and living.

So, why stop now? Or ever?

I don’t plan to.

Nicole Madigan

Publishers Indemnity: Those who make advertising placements and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to Get it Magazine, undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title, breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above mentioned these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements. In this magazine we have listed a range of products, prices and stores in across Australia and online. Although prices are correct at the time of printing, they are indicative only as prices and stock may vary from store to store. All prices were provided to Get it Magazine by relevant retailers and suppliers. We advise you to contact the relevant retailers for further information about price and availability. Get it Magazine does not accept any responsibility for price variations, availability or quality of products.

Anti-aging. This whole concept amuses me. It’s not actually possible to stop aging. You can be as ‘anti’ it as you want. You can be strongly, vehemently, passionately opposed to aging – you are not able to stop it.

Well, there is one way to stop aging but it’s a little drastically permanent and you can only do it once (unless, apparently, you’re the son of God but I’ll get myself in trouble if I head down that path).

Since aging is inevitable – what people really mean when they say they are ‘anti-aging’ is that they are ‘anti’ looking old. This is a little more complicated, not everyone of the same age looks the same amount of ‘old’.

Genes, lifestyle, environment, how many glasses of Sauvignon Blanc you had the night before, all contribute to how ‘old’ you look today.

There are things you can do, from drinking more water to slathering your face in rare Himalayan yak placenta to make yourself look a little younger. This is what people pay the big bucks for. This is why celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow openly ‘embrace’ being 50 - because they look 30 and they can sell a bunch of slightly crazy products and practices to help YOU with your own ‘anti-looking old’ journey. One of which is herbal steaming of your va jay jay for internal cleansing and vitality. HARD PASS.

Looking younger is a mixed bag of success. But joy of joys! FEELING younger is entirely possible. Having more muscle (weight training), moving more (walking, cycling, swimming), fuelling yourself better (more greens, less wine) will ALL make you feel younger.

Trying a new activity, hanging out with new people, learning a new skill/language – this will make you feel younger. Life does begin today but work with what you can control. You may or may not be able to achieve ‘looking younger’ but ‘feeling younger’ is 100 per cent possible and need not cost any money!

Get moving, thinking, creating people. Because for everyone there is a day when we stop aging, we just need to make sure that we keep LIVING until then.