Julie freelances for various businesses. By day, you’ll find her tucked away in her “perfume grotto”, concocting fragrance blends for private clients and major supermarkets. By night, she’s at her local gym or community centre, teaching fitness classes – everything from spin to aerobics – something she’s been doing since 1984. Julie also helps students train for their aromatherapy qualification.
This summer, Julie will also be embarking on an eight-week solo trip around China to explore the teachings of Confucius. “In Confucian philosophy, older people are seen as having reached a peak of knowledge and experience, with something valuable to give back,” she says.
“They are viewed as relevant. In the UK, I think the opposite is true. As you get older, you are seen as less relevant. Everything is geared towards youth.”
Julie particularly feels this marginalisation when at social events with her 22-year-old son who is a teacher, and her daughter, 26, an engineer. “Their friends ask me about hobbies, my dog or my travel plans, but rarely about my work,” she says. “Once you reach a certain age, people just assume you’ve stopped working and lost your purpose.”