OONA PRIDDY

MARKETING AND PROPERTY CONSULTANT

I lost my parents in the last ten years, so death awareness has become highlighted. It has made me realise the importance of how I spend my time and with whom, prioritising my life in a more meaningful way.

What things have you learnt about turning 50 that you probably didn’t think much about when you were 40?

Turning 50 was much easier for me than turning 40. It is a chance to revaluate your life and your past and let go. An opportunity to move on and not be limited by our minds. To be more positive and grateful for what you have. To have the courage to say ‘NO’ more often, and not swayed or guided by obligation or what others will think. The realization that I do not have to like everyone and they do not have to like me. It is a time of reflection and an opportunity to reinvent myself for the better.

I lost my parents in the last ten years so death awareness has become highlighted. It has made me realise the importance of how I spend my time and with whom, prioritising my life in a way that is more meaningful.

Everyone usually has a bucket list. What boxes are you yet to tick so far?

Visit every continent, Learn Spanish. Island hop around Greece. Learn a new skill every year. Go on a long cruise with my family. Find a new passion. Master Yoga. Own a home in Spain. Learn to meditate. Become a millionaire. Vacation in the Maldives. Find my soulmate.

They say with age come maturity and some level of boldness. What key things matter most to you now that didn’t hold such importance a few decades back?

Friendship, I realise the importance of having friends who are loyal and care for you. Those who will speak up for me when I am not present and those that tell me the truth about myself even if it is uncomfortable or could hurt.

Health, after losing both parents to cancer and having a scare myself I take greater care of my body and mental health. With covid in our midst, it’s highlighted just how important this is.

Peace, that of the world and of my mind. I have become even more saddened by events here and away and I have had to find ways to not let it consume me. I also now realize the importance of internal peace, so I can balance my emotions and manage relationships.

Loving myself. This is work in progress. Learning that it is not selfish to treat myself, or protect my peace. It is self preservation. I do not always have to feel burdened by other peoples expectations.

You look very good for your age and could easily pass for 40. No doubt, older men as well as younger men are bound to admire you. Have you been approached by younger men and if so, would you ever consider dating someone 5-10 years younger?

Thank you. Yes I have been approached by younger men and on most occasions I am flattered. While age is to be considered, I value a person’s characteristics and values more. If a younger man were to have the traits and goals that are aligned with mine, I would, never say never.

If you were to advice younger women who look up to you. how best will you advice them about being in a good place?

I would say that you need to rely on yourself for your own happiness, having a select group of friends who support you and tell you the honest truth. You need to focus on the ‘effort’ in everything you do rather than the outcome and finally when things are tough, you need to remember that whatever challenges you face ‘it will pass’

what inspires you to carry on; what is your greatest source of strength?

My parents, it is important to me that I continue to carry on their values and make them proud and my greatest source of strength is my daughter. She keeps me grounded, focused, inspired and hopeful and through her, I am learning more about myself and the world today.

What is the biggest challenge you have had to face in the course your professional development for the past twenty-five years, and how well has it contributed to your growth up till this point?

Being a woman in industry here is not always easy as it is a patriarchal society. I have had to learn the best and most efficient way to manoeuvre through fellow colleagues, staff and clients preconceived norms and ideas. I would like to think that I have managed to maintain my femininity while being firm, fair, dedicated and a professional.

With so much to do on the professional front, how do you combine that with your role as a mother and even more so, not neglecting your family?

I was blessed with the best family ever and I must say that I often think of women that are not as lucky. From my daughters birth, my parents and siblings were my backbone. From childcare, to school events, holidays, illnesses, there was always a member of my family willing to be there when I could not, offering me that support. I have had to be super organized, strict with time management and be available not only physically but mentally and emotionally in my free time so as to be there for my family.