By Salma Moosa | 10 Days to 55
As I stand ten days away from turning 55, I find myself in a place of reflection — not on what has passed, but on what I’ve learned and what I now live by.
This isn’t just another birthday. It’s a homecoming — to myself.
I’ve spent a lifetime struggling with obesity, emotional swings, societal expectations, and the unspoken exhaustion that so many women carry silently. But in the last five years, I’ve begun reclaiming myself — one habit, one walk, one boundary at a time.
And today, I want to share what well-being at 55 truly means to me — physically, emotionally, and societally.
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1. Take Back Your Calendar
One of the biggest shifts I made was taking control of my time. As women, we’re taught — almost trained — to be available. For the family. For friends. For the world. Our calendars bend to everyone else’s needs.
But I learned to claim my days for myself. From 4:30 to 8:30 AM or sleep at 8 pm — those hours are mine. For my walk, my strength training, my meditation, my journaling. That sacred block is non-negotiable.
I no longer plan my routines around others. Not around my closest, not around my children, not around anyone. My habits now serve me. Because wellness starts with self-priority.
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2. Build Routines That Belong to You
Fitness didn’t begin with intensity. It began with consistency. I didn’t walk into the gym lifting 10 kilos. I started with just movement. Slowly, I added 2.5 kg weights. Today, I can lift much more — not just with my body, but with my spirit.
The key wasn’t the reps or the weights. It was the decision to show up for myself, no matter what.
Your routine doesn’t need to be impressive. It just needs to be yours.
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3. Eat to Nourish, Not to Escape
Food was always my emotional crutch. I ate when I was sad, tired, happy, stressed — you name it. But I had to learn to ask myself: Am I really hungry? Or am I just filling a void?
I shifted from eating emotionally to eating mindfully.
Not just what I ate, but how much, when, and why.
The biggest breakthrough? Realizing that food cannot solve an emotional storm. Only self-awareness can.
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4. Emotional Boundaries Are Non-Negotiable
This may be the hardest part — setting emotional boundaries. Especially with people you love. But let me tell you this:
Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you must drain yourself for them.
Whether it’s your partner, your children, your parents, your friends — protecting your energy is not selfish. It is self-respect.
I’ve learned to walk away from conversations that leave me depleted. I’ve learned to say no without guilt. I’ve learned that peace is more valuable than pleasing.
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5. Don’t Let Society Define Your Worth
Even today, I sometimes feel the sting of judgment. From those who don’t understand my choices. Who whisper things like, “She’s too old for this,” or “Why does she need all this now?”
But here’s the truth: You owe no one an explanation for your well-being.
This journey — of reclaiming your body, your emotions, your calendar, your space — it belongs to you.
And if someone doesn’t lift you up, they don’t deserve a seat in your sacred space.
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Final Words
Turning 55 is not an end. It’s not a slow-down. It’s not a soft retreat into the sidelines.
It is a declaration — that we, as women, can live fully, fiercely, and freely at any age.
I am not here to inspire you with grand victories. I am here to remind you that small daily acts of self-respect — over time — can reclaim a life.
To every woman reading this:
Take back your time.
Set your habits.
Eat with awareness.
Guard your energy.
And never let society dull your light.
You are allowed to put yourself first.
In fact — you must.
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With strength & self-love,
#10DaysTo55 #WomenAt55 #WellbeingJourney #OwnYourStory
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