MELANIE LIENHARD
What is the best thing about being your age?
Self-confidence and caring less and less about what other people think about you, and more and more about what you think about yourself!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My daughters, of course! I'm so proud of the young women they're growing up to be and I'm amazed at how quickly the last twenty years have gone by!
What's your favourite thing you have checked off your bucket list?
Doing this portrait session.
What is a trait you are most proud of?
I'd have to say my love of life and the fact that I can laugh at myself - I'm pretty sure the two are linked.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd love to be a bit taller, which probably explains my love of high-heel shoes... Hahahaha!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being content with who I am, right here, right now. Because all we ever have is the present moment...
What is your most treasured possession?
My home. They say home is where the heart is and my home contains my daughters, my stepsons, my husband and our cats.
What is your greatest fear?
Lying on my deathbed regretting not taking risks and chances to experience more of life and grow.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Become financially independent as soon as you possibly can (preferably legally!). Having your own money gives you options in life that not having it doesn't. Secondly, have the self-respect to cut negative people and situations from your life sooner rather than later.
How important is self-love and dedicating little moments of celebrating yourself?
Self-love and self-celebration are such an important part of respecting and witnessing ourselves and our lives, and we need to learn to do it more often. Men already do this without guilt or embarrassment, and although men get a lot of bad press, I truly believe we can learn a lot from them (and they from us, of course!). You're the only person who sees and experiences everything you go through in this life, so who better than you to recognise when it's time to say, "Well done, you!"
What is your motto or favourite quote?
I have two quotes that I live by: "Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear" by George Addair and "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken" by Oscar Wilde.
Additional thoughts for younger women…
To quote the American author and journalist, Hunter S. Thompson: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
