Mature Women Boudoir – Jane

Introducing one of our lovely ladies from the  40 over 40 project!

 WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION? Run my own courier company, delivering commercial and industrial products across the UK, for a variety of transport businesses, large and small, on a sub-contracted basis – not glamorous – but someone has to do it! 😂

HOW OLD ARE YOU – AND WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE? 63 – not having to navigate today’s world as a young person, with all it’s judgements, pressures and expectations, through technology and social media platforms, pushing them to conform to ‘impossible’ ideals.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU FEEL STRONGER? Finding myself, at 47, in a women’s refuge with my six year old daughter, taught me that decisions are best made without the input of people who are too close to you. Those 7 months were purgatory, with no end in sight – but they were invaluable in showing me that life is far lonelier when you’re surrounded by people who don’t understand than it is when you ‘feel’ alone amongst strangers that do.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? My daughter – In spite of the difficulties she’s, faced having to cope with her father’s PTSD – she is a beautiful, strong, funny, creative and talented, independent woman, with kindness and compassion in her heart. She is loved, wherever she goes, because of her warmth and generosity of spirit. Don’t get me wrong – she’s 22, she’s female, and therefore, sparks (very) often fly between us – but she is definitely the best thing I have ever achieved in my life.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? Peace (and someone to cuddle – maybe!)

WHAT DO YOU TREASURE MOST? Honesty and integrity.

WHAT’S LEFT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? I don’t have one – a bucket list requires time, commitment and money – three things I don’t have 😂 – so I live life as it comes, no regrets or expectations and just appreciate whatever comes my way

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

Taking my Class 2 followed by my Class 1 HGV driving test in March 2017.

I was sick of doing payroll and finance, I wanted a change and no longer needed part-time hours, so, as I enjoyed driving, I felt (at nearly 57 yrs old) it would be a good idea (and probably necessary at that age) to prove that I could drive! 😂

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of self-esteem.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? My resilience and my ability to move on when I need to.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR? Being a burden.

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS? Honesty and Patience (they need it with me 😂)

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Make decisions and stick to them (sometimes)!)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVOURITE QUOTE? Speak openly and honestly – but with kindness.

AND FINALLY…..HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR 40 over 40 BOUDOIR SHOOT? Proud – I have never, ever, been so close to chickening out of something – but I don’t do that, so I didn’t – and what an amazing time I had, with two wonderfully, kind and positive people who made it such a relaxed and fun day.