I am sick and tired of the nonsense about aging and working. The internet loves a good rant post – so here you go.

I am even more annoyed by all the added nonsense about being an older woman and the ads I am being served on social media. Are you kidding me?

I am a year away from a “big birthday” according to many, and with that magical number comes all sorts of preconceived notions about where I might be in my career.

Let me set the record straight: You don’t choose my expiration date – I do.

If I want to be fully engrossed in creating a body of work I am proud of and serving my amazing clients, I will continue doing that.

And, I may continue doing that until I die. If that is my wish, you have no say in the matter.

Conversely, if I am hating my job / business and want to quit and do something else, that’s totally up to me, too.

The options for me are endless, as they are for you.

I keep hearing professionals say they’re too old to start something new. The way I look at it, I have 30 more years of productive time, and I can do a lot in 30 years.

Think about that for a minute.

Thirty years.

That’s almost as many years as I have had in my career to date!

There’s the reframe for you.

You’re welcome.

Is there ageism in corporate? Yes – but not as much as you think.

Often, it’s a wage issue, not an age issue. If you can’t make the case that your extra experience is worth extra money, then it’s a money issue and age has nothing to do with it, so don’t get your knickers in a twist.

Also, in my experience, a lot of ageism is self-inflicted.

This happens when professionals think they don’t have to prove themselves like everyone else, or are actually not fine with five generations in the workforce and their boss or someone else at a senior level being much younger.

News flash: That’s on you.

Ditto for coming in passive-aggressive or defensive. Once again, that’s your issue and not ageism.

In some situations, you might be better off starting a business. In that case, you’re the boss and set the rules. But Carol and lots of other experts will tell you that being a business owner is not for everyone.

I could sell you on it either way on any given day.

There’s so much ridiculous stuff out there about having to retire, or that people of a certain age should WANT to retire, or should be on a specific timeline for retirement.

No! One size never did fit all.

And as I have previously written, due to all sorts of circumstances, a traditional retirement is not an option for many. (Entrepreneurial Shame: Retirement Isn’t Happening Soon – Maybe Ever)

My options may be impacted by health and finances, but nobody gets to choose my expiration date – or yours.

Your timeline is determined by you and only you.

We need to stop the nonsense.