Christine, The 40 Over 40 Women’s Portrait Campaign
Christine, 53
I have been described by my friends and family as…
Loyal, empathetic, and someone who’s guided by her faith.
My best quality is that…
I’m a strategic thinker and have a growth mindset.
I am most proud of…
I’m most proud of my sons. I’m proud of what they’ve achieved but that’s minor compared to who they’ve become – good, independent young men who live with integrity.
My heart swells with pride when I see them chase their dreams, show kindness to people from all walks of life and embrace their family and faith.
It’s through them that I know I’ve made my best contribution to humanity.
My favourite poem…
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “To Laugh Often and Much” is one of my favourite poems:
“To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded.”
What advice would I give my 20-year-old self…
Do what you know at the time to be right, then you won’t regret your choices, even if they turn out to be the wrong ones.
Start saving from the moment you earn your first salary, no matter how meagre it is.
Never compromise your values for a man. The right man won’t expect that of you.
Be sufficiently financially independent so that you never have to stay in an abusive relationship or job or any situation that is going to put you physically or mentally at risk.
Your best out-of-the-ordinary experiences will be those that you’ll grab with both hands despite being young, naïve, and scared.
People will tell you all the reasons why you shouldn’t but count all the reasons why you should.
I promise you’ll look back on those with happiness. But when you grab those opportunities, don’t forget the first bit of advice – do what you know deep down is right.
Have goals and a strategy to achieve them but don’t have preconceived ideas of how that journey will look.
Many of your goals will change. Life will take you in unexpected directions. Adapt.
Have fun. There’s enough time to be serious.
We all experience many lifetimes in this one life. What did you find were the most poignant changes as you entered your 40s?
I started to value time more and now have a sense of urgency about most things.
I’m a terrible procrastinator because I’m afraid of failing but I know that if I don’t take the chances and find the courage to chase what I want,
I’m never going to do it because I’ll always be finding an excuse to put it off till next month, next year…
I developed a healthier view of failure – if it doesn’t work, learn fast and change direction faster.
So now I’ve taken the daunting step of starting my own business after putting it off for years.
I care less about things and more about experiences and treasure good health and the love and company of family and friends more than ever.
Thoughts on aging…
I’ve lost friends who didn’t have the privilege of getting old and that’s shifted my perspective on aging.
I now see aging as the process that unlocks new chapters in your life. I’m closing the chapter of raising my boys. I’ve loved it but now that they’re young adults and carving out their futures, I have the opportunity to focus on myself.
I have this picture in my mind of being a matriarch in my family – a very present part of their lives, organising the big family get-togethers,
passing down my Greek culture and values, doting on my grandchildren.
You know, like any Greek mom! But also making the time to travel, be more involved in the social causes that I’m passionate about,
run my business and consult in my career sphere. There are no elaborate retirement plans, I guess I want to do what I’m doing now…just to be able to do more of it.
A story I’d like to share…
I came out of my marriage a broken person. It felt like everything I’d worked to build and every dream I’d held was shattered.
I couldn’t trust my own judgment and was terrified of how I was going to be a single mother to my little boys who needed me to be strong and functional.
I learned to swallow my pride and lean on my fabulous support network, to take baby steps and focus on moving forward despite it being a painfully slow process.
I left behind shattered dreams and made new ones – this time with the wisdom of experience and empathy that comes from pain.
God gave meaning to the difficulties I experienced and put silver linings through them.
I focused on turning my job into a career where I could set my own limits. I nurtured the relationships with the people who love me and grew stronger with their support.
I lost the home I wanted to raise my boys in but now we have the one that I could only have dreamt of
and I get to create many of my happiest moments with those I love gathered together around the fireplace or the long lunch table.
In less than two months, I’m getting married to someone that I love and who loves me.
I took the parts of me that I didn’t like and turned them into parts I do like and in the process,
I learned to be patient because perfection is an illusion and I’m always going to be a work in progress.
My story is one of unwavering hope, almost child-like expectation, that no matter what, there’d be something exciting around the corner.
And it was.
It still is…
Donna Hay makeup artist and I had a fantastic day with Christine, talking about life and love.
We got to meet her son, Ethan, who had us in stitches with his humour.
I sometimes have to pinch myself that I get to meet and photograph such inspiring people.
Every single client I’ve photographed for the campaign, I feel has been perfectly aligned with me, my business, and my values.
