Can women have it all? A career, travel experiences, health and happiness, oh and of course the doting hubby and kids?
We’d like to think so, but the reality is ticking all of these boxes, while your biological clock is ticking, is not easy. Sydney gal Wendy Colaço has a high flying executive job that allows her to travel the world, she has lived in multiple countries enjoyed the ‘glam life’, and is fit and healthy. But, like many women, and with her 40th birthday hot on her corporate heels, Wendy hasn’t met the man of her dreams or had children – something she always wanted. But unlike many woman, Wendy decided to turn her fear of turning ‘that’ number (and not accomplishing all her dreams), into something more positive. Wendy created the ‘What Good Can Come from 40 Project’. It’s an incredibly honest and revealing look at the social pressures women face struggling to have it all, the fear we have and how one inspiring woman, Wendy, turned her fear into something truly remarkable that’s helping others.
We caught up with Wendy to find out a little about the project…
Name: Wendy Colaço
Age: 40… gulp, did I just say that?
Lives: Sydney, Australia
What did you do? Well, I picked 40 groups of people (friends and family) and gave them $40 each. I asked them to do something ‘good’ with it… to share the love!
Why? I wanted to take the focus off ’40’ being something I dreaded and feared, and turn it into something really positive in the world… so that something really ‘good’ could come from my 40th birthday. Turning 40 was something I feared, but really, I have so many things in life to be thankful for. I know that there are so many people that aren’t as fortunate as me and in some way, I felt I had an opportunity to do good for someone else.
Tell us about some your achievements you have ‘ticked’ off your list?
I don’t know if it’s an achievement as such, but first and foremost, I’m actually very happy and healthy, and I have to be very grateful for that..
Secondly, I am so lucky that I’ve been able to do and achieve so many things in my life. I….
- Have run two full marathons.
- Lived in six different countries and have travelled all over the world.
- Sky-dived out of planes and scuba dived into some of the most beautiful oceans.
- Abseiled down the side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Am a part of a beautiful family… and have some extremely funny and loving nieces and nephews.
- Am surrounded by amazingly talented, not to mention crazy, friends.
- Have a great job.
- Live by the beach and get to enjoy it every day.
I am so lucky… so why am I so scared about this number?
Do you believe there is pressure for women to ‘have it all’ by 40?
I certainly think there is a lot of pressure on women to have it all by 40 – the great loving relationship with perfect kids in tow, the overachieving career, the great body, the fabulous friends (all also coupled-up), the Vogue wardrobe, the Belle-worthy house… all the ‘externals’ and the ‘internals’ as well. We’re expected to have the worldly experience, the calmness and togetherness that comes with age and be a yoga guru! But at the centre of it all is reality – just being human and trying to do and be the best we can in a sea of expectations.
What do you hope to accomplish by creating the ‘What Good Can Come from 40 Project’?
Well firstly, I want to take the focus off my actual story (because we all have stories). I’d rather share the idea that sure, there are things in our lives that we fear, like age. But really, 40 (or any age), is just a number and is something to be proud of, not feared. We should be grateful we’ve made it to that number, as many people are not so lucky. As I have learned, fear holds us back. Perhaps it’s food for thought to address the fear or transmute it into something positive.
I hope that this project inspires others to do, or give, a little more of themselves to some very worthy causes out there – be it your neighbour, a homeless person, someone elderly trying to navigate their way through a tech-savvy world, or a charity. It was heart-warming to be able to do this, but also alarming. There are so many causes that need help and funding, so they can support those most vulnerable. Every day is a chance for us to do a bit for each other, but, as mentioned, we are all just humans trying to do and be the best we can be…
For more information about the ‘What Good Can Come from 40 Project’ check out Wendy’s Facebook page.
This film is a Soul Sessions Love Project. For more inspiration and good life support, go to www.soulsessions.org