Running a Confidence Game

I read an article not long ago that talked about stars who "improved" in their fashion choices as they've gotten older. All of the ladies featured in the story were 42 and over. The story not only analyzed the clothes worn, but also the apparent confidence level of each individual.

That got me to thinking.

I certainly feel more confident now that I'm in my 40s. Maybe there's something to getting older.

In our teens, we're wondering who we are. It's a desperate search for an identity - any identity. We want people to like us, and we'll adapt as needed to fit in.

In our 20s, we're learning who we are. No longer bound to the "people who've known us our whole lives," we can begin developing our true identity. We're seeking others like us who will like us for who we are.

In our 30s, we're justifying who we are. Anxiety and insecurities abound as we wonder if who we are is enough - enough for us, enough for our family, enough for our workplace.

I think the 30s can be full of amazing highs and amazing lows as we work to reconcile the hopes and realities of life.

Then come our 40s. We are who we are and we don't have to prove it to anyone.

Is it any wonder that as we age we appear more confident?

We appear to be more confident because we are more confident.

I'm 41, nearly 42. And I'm ok with that.