• Women Over 40 Project About & Submission Form
    • Women Over 40 Interviews
    • Boudoir, Beauty & Tattoos
    • Brand & Product
    • High School Seniors
    • Destination Shoots
    • Contact
    • Investment & Product Overview
    • About Shawnalee
    • E-Gift Cards
    • Raves
    • Video
    • Blog
Menu

Shawnalee Studios Photography

Top Women's Boudoir & Maternity Photographer in Portland Oregon
  • Women Over 40 Project
    • Women Over 40 Project About & Submission Form
    • Women Over 40 Interviews
  • Genres
    • Boudoir, Beauty & Tattoos
    • Brand & Product
    • High School Seniors
    • Destination Shoots
  • Contact | Investment | About
    • Contact
    • Investment & Product Overview
    • About Shawnalee
    • E-Gift Cards
  • Raves, Video & Blog
    • Raves
    • Video
    • Blog
×
 

Women Over 40 Interviews

Stories are meant to be shared.

Below are words of lived wisdom, inspiration, challenges and aspirations from women in their forty’s, fifty’s, sixty’s, seventy’s, and beyond.

Interested in joining? Click HERE to go to the Women Over 40 overview & submission form.

Featured
Women Over 40: Interview with Jill
Women Over 40: Interview with Jill
Women Over 40: Interview with Jillynn
Women Over 40: Interview with Jillynn
Women Over 40: Interview with Fern
Women Over 40: Interview with Fern
Women Over 40: Interview with Carolyn
Women Over 40: Interview with Carolyn
Women Over 40: Interview with Barbara
Women Over 40: Interview with Barbara
sapphire-5x7-7.jpg
Women Over 40: Interview with Sapphire
Women Over 40: Interview with Krista
Women Over 40: Interview with Krista
Women Over 40: Interview with Bobbie
Women Over 40: Interview with Bobbie
Women Over 40: Interview with Krista D
Women Over 40: Interview with Krista D
Women Over 40: Interview with Tara D.
Women Over 40: Interview with Tara D.

Women Over 40: Interview with Nadine

Shawnalee Anderton November 13, 2023

Please welcome Nadine. A kind, gentle soul who, despite many of life’s challenges, has come out the other side, stronger, more confident and is living her best life over 40.


What year were you born? Did your parents tell you anything about the day you were born?

I was born in the year of 1969.  I’m glad I arrived still in the 60’s!


What was your life like growing up? What dreams and goals did you have for your life when you left High School?
My father had a mental illness and this caused life in my household to be a volatile one.  But I did not lack love from my mother and seven siblings and I do not look back on my upbringing feeling that I missed out or had it rough.  

When I graduated high school in 1987, I wanted to pursue the track that society put upon us (especially girls):  go to college, meet a nice guy, get married and have kids.   

Was there a time in your life where you felt ‘stuck’, unable to find the energy or strength to move forward or to make a big change? If so, can you share what it was &/or what helped you get past this road block?

I got married when I was 20, started dating him at 17.  A few years into our marriage, as I grew as a person, I realized that we did not hold the same dreams, goals, values…and really were not compatible at all.  We had 2 minor children, and for their sake I stayed in the relationship.  We were married a total of 26 years, with the last 12 years or so being quite unhappy and unfulfilling.  I felt completely stuck.  Over time, I started to withdraw from the world until I was only a shell of my former self.  I didn’t take care of myself physically or emotionally.  I’m not sure what happened or sparked a change for me, but I decided that I did not want to waste away.  And being in this state of mind was not beneficial to my kids.  Eventually, the marriage ended, but we are still a family and I choose to see that as a success, not a failure.

When in your life, so far, have you felt most confident and why?

Honestly I feel most confident now, at 53.  When I was in my 20s and even 30s I may have had a younger woman’s body but lacked the maturity and wisdom I have now.  I still feel young on the inside, have accepted and embraced my aging journey, have accomplished many things personally and professionally and feel, on a whole, that I am at my peak!  And I hope I feel the same way when I’m 63 ☺

What is the one piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t think you need to accomplish A, B and C in order to be happy. Find happiness and contentment at each phase of life. And don’t worry so much about what other people think!!

The Present

How have your dreams and goals changed now that you are 40+

Now, I feel like I value PEACE above all things.  I have accomplished most of the things that I’ve set out to do.  I don’t sweat the small stuff.  And I’m at a point in life where I get the most joy out of uplifting and helping others.

Share an indulgence:

I’d never had a massage until I was in a bad car accident at age 51.  My oh my, I’ve been missing out!  And now I indulge whenever I can.

How do other people to describe you or see you?

Caring, honest, calm, giving, reliable, stubborn and picky.


Do you like being 40+?

I love being over 40!  


Has your relationship with yourself changed as you have gotten older? How?

Yes!  I think I give myself more grace as I get older. I don’t dwell on mistakes and am definitely not as critical of myself. 

Perceptions & Advice


Are there any myths you would like to bust about the over 40s? If so, can you tell us about them?

Sex is so much better!  (I guess for me, I am much more in tune with my body, I have lost inhibitions that I had when I was younger and I am more comfortable ‘receiving’ and view sex more as an experience versus an act).


What advice do you have to offer to those  who are approaching mid life or those that are in mid life and perhaps struggling with it.

Embrace your aging journey!  Find things to appreciate in each stage of life.

Do you have a favourite quote to share?

“The meaning of life is to find your gift.  The purpose of life is to give it away.”  ~Pablo Picasso

“Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.” ~Aubrey De Grey

Thank you so much for joining this project and sharing about your life. You are a beautiful soul!


Join 40/40 Vol.2

You are a strong, driven woman over 40, or maybe you are trying to get your footing in this next chapter of life. Or bouncing back and forth. It’s a wild ride that’s for certain. So much change. I invite you to be a part of Forty Women Over Forty Portraits and Story Project, Volume 2.


What’s the purpose of 40/40 Vol. 2?


1. Unleash Your Potential: At 40/40 Vol. 2, I believe that age is just a number and that women over 40 have an incredible amount of untapped potential, wisdom and beauty. Through this project, you will have the opportunity to get back in touch with who you are at your core. See the beauty you have BECAUSE you are over 40 and achieve personal growth like never before. It’s time to give back to yourself.


2. Empowered Community: Join a community of like-minded women who are passionate about lifting one another up & shifting the narrative of this age group. Upon completion, the project celebration will provide the opportunity to meet and surround yourself with inspiring individuals. Fostering connection and new friendships.


3. Diverse Perspectives: I value the unique experiences and perspectives that women over 40 bring to the table. By joining us, you will play an integral role in shaping and shifting limiting beliefs for others, perhaps also for yourself, drawing upon your wealth of wisdom and abilities and sharing them with others.


Join 40/40 Vol. 2 Today!
If you're ready to embark on an exciting adventure, tap HERE. This link will take you to the 40/40 Vol. 2 project overview and application. Take the first step towards fulfilling your potential and joining this incredible cohort of women over 40.


Apply Now:
Once you reach the project overview, you'll find all the details about the exciting opportunities that await you, project goals, and application process. The application is straightforward and quick to fill out.


Join 40/40 Vol. 2 and Make a Difference:
Don't hesitate to seize the chance to be part of something game-changing. Join 40/40 Vol. 2 today and redefine what it means to be a woman over 40. Together, we will break barriers, challenge norms, and erase limiting beliefs! It’s time to come together.

Learn more

Below is a ‘first take’ video of myself sharing a little insight into why this project is important to me personally…

Join today!
In 40 Women Over 40 Tags mature women, wise women, portrait, story, wisdom, interview, life story, beauty, shawnalee studios, portland photographer
← Women Over 40: Interview with EBWomen Over 40: Interview with Risa →

FOLLOW US

Just put one foot in front of the other. It's been working for me so far. #lifeishard #nobodyelsecandoitforyou
Because you are old enough to do whatever the f&# k you want.
-
#thepowerofyou #thepowerinyou #40pluswomen #agingwithattitude #40plusandfabulous #pdxmom #portlandstyle #portlandoregon #portlandphotographer #pdxphotographer #beinphotographs #insta
Beautiful human alert.
Be not afraid.
#thepowerofyou #thepowerinyou #40pluswomen #agingwithattitude #40plusandfabulous #pdxmom #portlandstyle #portlandoregon #portlandphotographer #pdxphotographer #beinphotographs #instagood #bodypositivity #mindpositivity #bodymindspirit
When I showed @lindawongmuah this bts of her, she said the image feels like right before marriage (but wearing absolutely nothing.) -sounds like either the best time ever or one of those dreams!!
 We then discussed how this occasion is so similar to
Yup, same image as the previous, there appears to be a discrepancy with resolution that I'm working on. Bare with me. Will be deleting the first if it's been resolved here. Carry on....
#staycool😎
The beauty that exists when you are not looking at the camera can be quite astounding. 
#myfavouritething #40womenover40 #thepowerofyou #thepowerinyou #40pluswomen #agingwithattitude #beautyhasnoexperationdate #40plusandfabulous #pdxmom #portlandstyl
Me taking in every aspect of my new space, including important things like seeing how high I can toss popcorn into the air & successfully catch it. Left hand throw btw, never to be repeated again. #newstudio #fun #thingswedoforfun #portlandphotog
BIG news! Got the keys to my own studio!!! Woohoo!!! It's pretty surreal. And oddly, just how I imagined it would look. There is something to manifesting so #becarefulwhatyouwishfor
"As paradoxical as it may sound, I find black and white more authentic than colour. Portraits in particular appear stronger by the reduction." ~Peter Lindbergh
Which do you prefer?
There is something beautiful about incorporating personal elements into a portrait. Among other items, this client from my #40Womenover40 project brought in her favourite painting she created of a pear plus some of her brushes and an actual juicy, pe
Covid has slowed things down but it can't stop us! 

This post is a reminder of: What the heck is 40 Women Over 40?🤔 Read on!...

For many as we move into & beyond 40 we experience incredible transition. Feeling lost is extremely common. Yet wit
Just kickin' it. Is what this post 'looks' like. Meanwhile, my real self is heading up for a few more turns before the ski season is completely over. What are you up to this fine Saturday?
-
-
#boots #chill #portlandphotographer
Follow on Instagram

Women Over 40 Project Vol 4 has officially launched

Click the button below to learn more!

Women Over 40

Branding/Commercial   ~  Senior Graduates   ~   Destination ~ Contact

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!

Stay Connected…..Explore & Like us on Facebook HERE

View & follow us on Instagram, tap HERE

HOME