50. 50 years old. As my 50th birthday approached. I felt really anxious about it, for some reason this birthday hit me harder than any other.

I decided to seek out support. But from who? who could honestly relate to how I was feeling about being alive for half a century?

I then realized I needed to connect with other people going through the same experience, the same moment in their lives, turning 50 years old.

I‘ve been a professional photographer for over 25 years. So my plan was a photo project, where I’d photograph and interview 50 people turning 50 years old. I was to do one a week, maybe take two weeks off for holidays, and complete the project at the end of my 50th year. No problem right?

In my line of work I hear “I’m not very photogenic” All the time and I’ve never believe that. Now I was hearing “I’m not sure my story is worth a profile” but I believe everyone has a great story inside of them.

As I started into the profiles immediately the focus shifted. Originally I thought we’d have a nice chat, get a bit of information about each of my subjects, you know, the kind of thing I do with my work, and then concentrate on what I am good at, making the images.

It was then I realized that I wasn’t doing a photography project with a few words, I was doing a story project with a few photos! By the fourth profile I understood how these profiles could help not only me but others as well.

SHERRY a complete stranger was so open with her mental health struggles. She shared her story with me in hopes of helping others facing the same challenges.

I also realized that my goal of one story a week for 50 weeks was a tad ambitious!

So, what did I learn?

The first thing I realized was that 50 year olds are really busy! Generally speaking we’re at the peak of our careers, some of us are raising children, a few of us are even grandparents, many of us have aging family members to care for. We use the time we have left do the things we love. So even scheduling these interviews was a challenge!

After his young son is tucked into bed, Dwayne takes to running a few hundred Kms from 8pm to 2am, training for Ultra marathons. It helps him put everything in perspective and make his life less stressful.

The other thing that almost everyone said was that they planned to Travel more. I was trying to figure out why, and it reminded me why we call these events in our lives Milestones

A milestone literally was a rock on the side of the road that signified how far you’ve come and how far you’ve yet to go. When you came upon a milestone in your journey you would use the opportunity to stop, refresh and reflect.

But I learned that as much as we make plans and strive toward a goal, life has a way of shaping our journey in unexpected ways. A car crash, a giving mentor, an economic downturn—so many things can send you on a path you can’t ever see.

Raising two boys with Hemophilia, CHRISTINE got involved with the organization that supported her, volunteering and eventually becoming the executive director. She now travels the world to connect with others in the hemophilia community.

After going through school, studying theatre, Janet ended up a theatre technician. Unsatisfied she took a one year course in journalism, and is now the local news anchor here in Winnipeg.

Sanjay traveled from his hometown to Kolkata to take his accountancy exam. Since he was already there he decided to write another exam, this time for the Fashion institute. He got in, and has spent a life in the fashion industry ultimately moving to Canada.

Over the 50 years some of us have face some big challenges. Those challenges hasn’t defeated us in fact they have made us stronger.

At 50 Patti is 8 years sober. She’s living what she feels is her best life, working wardrobe on movie sets and selling vintage clothing. She doesn’t let regret eat her up.

The bulling Catherine faced in school fuelled her drive to show everyone by becoming a doctor. She finally made it to med school only to have both of her parents pass away within months. Suddenly alone, and facing her biggest challenge she went on to become a doctor of hematology.

Rhonda was telling me about her journey from the reservation in Northern Manitoba to singing and recording her music in her native Cree, performing in concert halls all over the world when she revealed that she battled a brain tumour along the way, twice!

Many of us recall our reaction to our parents turning 50 (“mom’s so old!”) but suddenly here we are! When I ask my subjects how old they FEEL, the age ranges between 28 and 32.

Eileen is the 50-year-old who pays her bills, cleans the house and more and more reminds herself of her mom. But out for a long ride on her bike, she’s free of responsibility, suddenly becomes that innocent 12 yr old who hate doing any chores.

Chris has worked in the comic book industry for 30 years but when he’s not working, he’s filling pages of journals with his pencil sketches, drawing furiously like he did when he was a kid.

Kenton still buys Star Wars figures creating a collection that brings joy to that the inner nine year old who saw the first movie. As you get older, you actually have the money to buy the thing that you didn't have when you were a kid.

Kittie survived breast cancer and now has embraced her passion for writing. She’s published two books of fiction.

After Sabine had a mini stroke scare, she worked hard to find that life work balance, spending more time on that motorcycle she always wanted.

All set to celebrate his 50th birthday with a big party, Pat lost his mom two days before the celebrations. He had a big 51st birthday bash instead.

I asked each of my subjects to think back to when they were 25 and offer some advice to that 25 year old. My hope was that maybe someone 25 would read it. Who am I kidding? What 25 yr old wants to listen to a 50 yr old. I certainly didn’t!

As much as Doug loved journalism he realized the business was changing, and switched careers. “If you see the world changing around you, you can't be angry You've got to get on board and change with it. He’s using his investigative skills for background screening of professionals in Asia.

At 25 Lynda was living with a roommate and working part-time in a store. When she had a last minute opportunity to live overseas she found all sorts of reason not to go, but in the end she thinks it was fear that held her back. Her advice for 25 yr olds is to take more chances.

Darryl has no regrets. Looking back he see Everything good and bad that he did in his life led him up to this point. It took him a bit to find his passion, but he wasn’t afraid to take a gamble, and at 35, he became a locksmith.

I asked my subjects to give advice for others who are approaching 50. Many talked about staying open to learning.

Even as a teacher Dean says there is so much more to learn. He learns as much from his students as they learn from him.

Heather doesn’t worry about what others think. She knows how you think of yourself is away more important than what others think of you.

When asked if she was concerned about turning 50, Clare replied, “what’s the Alternative?”

Many don’t see themselves retiring in the traditional sense. They’re tailoring their lives toward living their passions.

Betty-Jo sees 50 like a reset, a new baseline, chance to think about new goals. She’s taking on new challenges in her workplace and learning all the time how to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend,

Evan walked away from a successful design firm he helped build, to start over, going back to the the passion that fuelled his journey in the first place, graphic design. When you get to this age, some decluttering happens and you focus on the things that make you truly happy.

Darren’s dad took an early retirement, then, within six months, committed suicide. The memory of that fuels Darren to ensure he stays actively engaged and contributing in the world.

Looking back on this project I now know I couldn’t have done it UNTIL I was 50. I needed to be at this point in my life to tackle it, applying all the skills I’ve gained over the years to make it a success. I finally finished the project two weeks ago, two and half years after I started.

I started this project hoping to find the answers on how be 50 years old.

But I realize now that being 50 means there IS no great epiphany, no big secret to learn.

We spend the first half of our lives just figuring out how to live it. Now we take all that, embrace this second half of our lives, and enjoy it, to its fullest potential.

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