Women Over 40 Project:
Celebrating women whose power, beauty, strength, grace, and spirit do not diminish with age.
I have photographed, profiled and celebrated women over the age of 40.
WHY OVER 40?
I have been witness to the strength and resilience of all kinds of women in my life but the stories that get to my heart the most often, are the ones of women that society used to label as “past their prime”.
What gives me hope for the future is that I have met woman after woman that have said HELL YES! Women that refuse to be labelled or diminished, are now stepping into their own power. Personally, I feel like I am only beginning to hit my stride. Now I feel called to give a platform to these women. I want them to be seen, celebrated and have a platform to use their voice to call out to us. I want women all over to hear their stories and be inspired. Will you join me on this journey?
I would like you to meet the UNSTOPPABLE
CINDY MONGER
Cindy is such a generous soul. We first met at networking group and quickly became friends. We have kids the same age and being self employed, we seem to understand each other. When she signed up for the project, I squealed! She is perfect:) She and her husband are an incredible duo and work together as real estate agents, Their passion for people and making a difference in their clients’ lives is palpable.
Anita Watkins
Cindy Monger’s Portrait taken at Anita Watkin’s Studio in London, Ontario.
What is the one piece of advice you would give your 20 something self?
“I always had the notion of “don’t tell me I can’t….” and that started probably in my 20’s. But I think I would have told myself to take an opportunity to live Abroad for a long stretch if I could have. Oh wait…I’m doing that right now!! Lol!!”
I would have told myself to take an opportunity to live Abroad for a long stretch.
It's honestly the little things.
What gets you up in the morning?
“The smell of coffee! Lol!
A little sunshine on my face.
Hugging my family and dogs.
It’s honestly the little things…”
When in your life, so far, have you felt most confident and why?
“A friend and I decided we were going to quit our jobs and just drive. I was about 24 or 25… I remember chatting about the up coming trip at a party with someone. Her response was “that sounds so amazing, but I could never do that”. And my immediate reaction was I could never NOT do it. I was so sure that making this trip was just the thing to do. The goal had been to land somewhere in the Pacific NW US and pick a place to live and set up life a-new. Just because we wanted to. It didn’t quite play out that way. She ran out of $$, plus had met her future husband just before we left, so her head and heart were elsewhere. I wound up spending 5 weeks in Ireland and a week in London (UK) and then teaching Arts & Crafts at a summer camp in the North Georgia mountains.”
A friend and I decided we were going to quit our jobs and just drive.
At the end, the 6 people with the most sticks had a spot in the Life Boat. I was one of those people.
When have you felt most attractive?
This may seem weird… but in my early 20’s I attended 2 Life Spring seminars. Some people may have felt those experiences were “cult” like…but they were pretty amazing self discovery sessions for a lot of people. One of the exercises was called “The Life Boat”. The group was probably 40-50 people. Everyone was given a popsicle stick. We were told we were on a ship that was sinking, and the lifeboat only had room for 6 people. We had to circle through everyone, look them dead in the eye and decide if we would give them our stick…or not. At the end, the 6 people with the most sticks had a spot in the Life Boat. I was one of those people. I honestly could not believe that I was that “attractive” or worthy to have been among the chosen few.”
Is there anything you would like to share with people in your life?
“You need less sleep as you age. I call bullshit. I still need a lot!”
Do you want to learn more about working with Anita?
Portrait Photographer in London, Ontario
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Just focus on what’s in your control to do right now and trust that everything else will fall into place.