Nothing revs my engines quite like a good “You go, girl!” narrative. Watching a woman crush it, building her empire without worrying about a touch-up (unless she feels like it) really fires me up and drives me to chase after whatever dream has caught my fancy this week.
So, when Netflix released the first season of Girlboss, a series inspired by Sophia Amoruso’s rise to fame with her fashion brand Nasty Gal, I was all in for a binge fest. But as I watched, a nagging thought crept in: am I too old to feel motivated by her story? Sure, she’s inspiring, but soaking up girl-power vibes from a twenty-something made me feel like a thirty-something who’d lost her edge.
Throughout the season, we see her journey from self-discovery to igniting her passions, facing countless rejections, and ultimately achieving her dreams. She builds her brand from scratch, bursting with energy, occasionally losing her cool, but always fierce and unwavering. She made it happen, and that’s downright impressive.
As I watched, I thought, “Yes! I want that tenacity!” But here’s the kicker: she’s a single twenty-something with her whole future ahead, while I’m 34, married, and juggling two kids. I have roots and responsibilities that make it tough to devote my days and nights to pursuing my passions like I could when I was younger. I’m anchored down.
I won’t lie—I hosted a little pity party for myself. You know, the kind where you wallow in “my dreams are a burden” and “my days of conquering the world are over.” I reminisced about my carefree, single days when the world felt limitless, and I could stay up late plotting my next big move. I spent some time mourning the life that was no longer mine.
Then it hit me: I’m only 34! I’m not done yet! I can still set ambitious goals and chase after my dreams—I just need to adjust my expectations to fit my current reality. Being a married mom doesn’t mean I have to shelve my aspirations. Despite how it may feel at times, my dreams didn’t vanish with the arrival of my kids.
In fact, it’s crucial that I pursue my dreams now more than ever. I want to be a role model for my children, showing them that ambition doesn’t have an expiration date. Recently, my 3-year-old son told me he wanted to be the sun when he grows up. Like any supportive mom, I encouraged him, saying he could achieve anything he set his mind to. With those wide, innocent eyes, he asked, “Mom, do you really think I can be the sun?” And I replied confidently, “You can be anything you want to be!” Sure, he can’t literally become the sun, but I hope he learns that dreaming big is always an option.
That’s what chasing my dreams in my 30s will show my kids: just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re out of the game. Parenthood doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your aspirations; it just means you need to navigate your choices more thoughtfully. You might have others to consider when making plans, but you can definitely still go after your goals.
Plus, with little eyes watching you, you get to teach them through your actions that anything is achievable, regardless of age or circumstances. All it takes is hard work and an unshakeable belief in yourself.
Inspiration knows no age. It’s totally fine to be motivated by a spirited twenty-something, and it’s equally okay for me to inspire younger folks as a thirty-something. The key is to keep pushing forward, supporting each other, and making things happen.
If you’re interested in more insights on navigating parenthood and aspirations, check out this article. And if you’re curious about home insemination options, Make a Mom offers a comprehensive look at what’s available. For more information on the topic of infertility and home insemination, the CDC provides an excellent resource.
In conclusion, remember that dreams don’t have an age limit. You can still chase them down, inspire others, and show your kids that it’s never too late to pursue what you love.