Growing up in the United States, and–even worse–growing up in Los Angeles, in the shadow of Hollywood, I learned a great many stereotypes about women and aging–our desireability, our loveability, our happiness. I’m happy to discover that those stereotypes were complete BS. About aging as a woman… it’s nothing like I was led to expect. I’m actually about a sneeze away from turning 49. I’m losing hearing in my right ear. My distance and reading vision are a mess. I’m way beyond fatter than I’ve ever been in my life. And I feel an emotional confidence and happiness and freedom beyond anything I experienced when I was younger. I see the same thing with my female friends and clients: life gets better as we get older. Dating was better in my 40s than it ever was in my teens, 20’s or 30’s. I make far better relationship and business choices now. I’m more comfortable with my imperfection. As young women we’re all about pleasing–parents, teachers, lovers, everybody. As we get older,