The aspirations of Britain’s over 50s women have been revealed – as seven in ten are experiencing a midlife glow up – with starting a business, seeing the northern lights, getting a tattoo and writing a novel on the list.
Researchers asked females over 50 what they would like to experience and achieve – with travel emerging as most important.
In fact, topping the list was seeing the Northern Lights (54 per cent), while 48 per cent dream of travelling on the Orient Express and 31 per cent wish to visit Niagara Falls.
Given this, it makes sense that 30 per cent wish to learn a new language – with 18 per cent even wanting to move to another country.
Some want to stay closer to home, with 19 per cent simply wanting to create the perfect garden.
And while penning novels (18 per cent), starting businesses (10 per cent) and volunteering (16 per cent) made the list – a resounding 27 per cent said they would just like to be financially independent.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 British women over 50, suggests they crave adventure, independence and new experiences – as almost three-quarters (73 per cent) believe this chapter is now a ‘mid-life glow up’, rather than ‘crisis’.
Two thirds (61 per cent) say they also have found a new outlook on life in their fifties, while three quarters (74 per cent) feel more content with life now than when they were younger.
Caring less about what others think (56 per cent), changing priorities (54 per cent), realising what truly matters (54 per cent), wanting to focus more on themselves (36 per cent) and having more free time (31 per cent) were reasons for feeling more confident.
It’s no surprise then that nearly two thirds (61 per cent) believe women over 50 now are more active and adventurous than previous generations, with 11 per cent wanting to get a tattoo.
According to the findings, nearly half (48 per cent) of older women are actively putting money away regularly.
Monna Patel, Operations Manager at saving service Ford Money, which commissioned the research, said: ‘The results clearly show that life in your 50s and 60s is not about winding down like previous stereotypes suggested.
‘Today’s generation of women are embracing this chapter with real ambition, focussed on goals like travel, buying property and achieving financial freedom.’
‘For many, having money set aside is the key to unlocking these exciting ambitions.
‘It’s not just a safety net; it’s the essential fuel that gives us the freedom to live life exactly how we choose.
‘While it’s great that many feel confident and that they can fund their dreams, it’s also important to back that confidence with a plan.
‘Actively thinking about those bigger goals and weaving them into our finances each month is how we turn them into a reality.’