In a world that values youth and beauty, especially in a woman, Spark Alumni Katrina stands as a vibrant example of a woman who knows her worth as a woman over forty and seeks to share her motto “Happiness is what you make of it” with others.
Full of life, she describes herself as “strong, funny, and caring.” She fills her days caring for others at home or work, and moving her body through dance. She embraces life with a zest for adventure, recognizing that she can choose contentment while seeking new opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Continue reading to learn more about this Fierce After Forty woman in her own words.
Happiness is What You Make Of It
“I love to travel. I grew up a nomad and spent my young adult life as a nomad. But when family obligations made travel and moving at the drop of a hat an impossibility, we put down roots in Boston. Looking back, I think a lot of my restlessness was partly a way of finding something I thought I was missing. It took stopping and settling into my life as a parent to start to see what I was running to and from.”
“I come from a high-achieving family. I always felt I had to live up to some standard of perfection, whether as a student, a dancer, a professional, etc. I thought, “If I was thinner…”, “If we could afford to go there…”, “If I was better at this…” then I would be successful. And if I was successful, I would be happy. While I wouldn’t trade any of my lived experiences, good and bad, I am starting to see that happiness is what you make of it. There is so much in my life to be grateful for. Instead of finding the next place, job, or project that will make me happy, I can begin with an attitude of contentment and focus my energy on learning, growing, and discovering for the joy of the experience. Then, I can turn around and share that experience with others.”
Fierce is Knowing What You’re Worth
“The word “fierce” has always had a protective connotation for me. Fierce is knowing who you are, knowing what you’re worth, knowing what you want, and refusing to accept anything less from those who don’t have your best interests at heart. I make safe spaces for myself, my friends, and my family. My fierceness lies in my desire to protect them and my refusal to allow us to move backward and to keep moving forward.”
I’m Not Willing to Settle
“I’m a work in progress. I can’t point to an incident from my past and say “I survived that, so I can survive anything.” Frankly, I believe the most challenging years are yet to come.”
“Since entering this decade of life I’ve learned I’m not willing to settle. There is a big difference between being content and settling into something just because it’s comfortable. I will take the discomfort of upheaval over settling into something I don’t really want any day.”
We Have So Much More to Do
“I want others to know that being a woman over forty means we’re barely halfway there. We have so much more to do.”
“A project like Fierce After Forty is important for women of all ages. In a world that values youth and beauty, especially in a woman, it’s so important for us to see ourselves celebrated as whole people. It’s also so important for our daughters to grow up seeing representations of women of all ages so they understand that life doesn’t end after their 30s.”
I’m Powerful
“I can’t say that seeing my Spark images was a magic fix that cured me of all my negative self-talk issues, but they definitely helped exchange my internal narrative enough to motivate me into action when I’m feeling stuck. They remind me that I’m powerful, smart, and worth showing up for. I’m worth putting in the effort to make the changes that will help me live healthier and happier.”
The Fierce After Forty Project, designed by Show Your Spark Photography Studio, seeks to highlight powerful women over Forty through photography and storytelling. In doing so, we inspire countless other women to embrace and celebrate their journey, bodies, and power – no matter their season of life.
If you want to show off your After Forty Fierceness, contact us today!
Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!
Here’s what to expect when you contact us!
- Schedule a free consultation call to have all your questions answered and start planning your Spark Experience.
- Select a Spark Session date that fits your schedule. (Studio located in Braintree, MA)
- Rock the session like the bright light that you are, and create beautiful, tangible artwork to inspire you for the rest of your life.
Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!
