Balzac Age: What It Is and How to Thrive

The phrase «Balzac«s age» is familiar to many, even if they haven»t read Honoré de Balzac himself. It is usually used to refer to women of mature age. Let«s explore the origin of this concept, what age is considered «Balzac»s age» today, and what it offers—or doesn«t offer—the modern woman.

In 1842, Balzac«s novel «The Thirty-Year-Old Woman» was published in France. Under this title, the writer combined six novellas written in the late 1820s to early 1830s. The most famous of them, «At Thirty Years», gave its name to the entire collection. The main character is the Marquise Julie d»Aiglemont, a passionate woman, free in her judgments and feelings. For the literature of that time, such an image of a mature woman was a real revelation. It captivated readers, making the novel popular.

Interestingly, the phrase «Balzac«s age» took root only in the Russian language. It is not known in France or other countries. In Russia, it became established thanks to writers who used it ironically. For example, Anton Chekhov in his humorous sketch «For Lack of Something to Do» (1886) wrote: ««Ah, you shameless woman! However, what can you do? Balzac»s age! There«s no helping that age!»» The phrase entered common parlance and became winged.

So how old is a woman of «Balzac«s age»? The lower boundary is thirty, based on the novel»s title. But in the 19th century, it was not acceptable to speak of a woman«s age after thirty — it was considered indecent. In 1838, a Parisian critic ironically remarked: «It is no secret that a woman goes from twenty-nine to sixty without any intervals, and that the thirty-year-old woman exists only in the fantastic imagination of Mr. de Balzac.»

In Russian literature of that time, «Balzac«s age» was more often associated with forty years. In Vladimir Sollogub»s short story «The History of Two Galoshes» (1839) we read: «At forty, whatever Balzac says, a woman is in an unpleasant situation.» And in Sergei Pobedonostsev«s short story «Darling» (1845), there is mention of a «faded Balzacian forty-year-old beauty.» So the classic «Balzac»s age» lasted from 30 to 40.

Today the boundaries have shifted significantly. Life expectancy has increased, the active phase of life has lengthened — so «Balzac«s age» is now often called the age from 35 to 50. Many women in this period feel more confident and free than in their youth.

Clinical psychologist and sexologist Olga Savkina notes: Balzac«s heroine is an independent, passionate person. And from a psychological point of view, «Balzac»s age» is a time of absolute freedom. Freedom in choosing a partner, habits, lifestyle, self-expression. Plus wisdom that comes with experience — both positive and negative.

People say: «At 45, a woman is a berry again.» And it«s true. By this time, a woman knows herself well, her preferences, understands what she needs, including in her intimate life. Children have grown up, financial stability is usually present. Household chores recede — there is an opportunity to enjoy life. And a woman who enjoys life is sexual and attractive. If family life has disappointed, she easily embarks on new romantic adventures.

However, «Balzac«s age» can also become a crisis if by this point a woman has not achieved what she dreamed of in her youth. This is especially acute when expectations in the role of wife, mother, or professional have not been fulfilled. A gap appears between dreams and reality.

Here is an example from practice: a 35-year-old client is married, owns a business, but cannot have children. Every time others tactlessly ask: «So, are you going to have children? How long can you enjoy yourself at resorts?» she feels vulnerable. At this age, women ask themselves many questions about self-realization. If there is no family, the worries intensify. If there is no career either, it becomes even harder. The woman feels lost, as if she has nothing to lean on. A reassessment of life begins, sometimes with a desire to prove her worth to the whole world. During this period, psychosomatic disorders may arise — it is better to work through them with a specialist.

To make «Balzac«s age» a happy time, the psychologist recommends seven simple steps:

Stop, take a pause, exhale. Under pressure from society or your own dissatisfaction, it«s easy to do thoughtless things.

If you feel vulnerable, ask yourself: «Am I allowing myself too little?» Perhaps you are already at an age where you can allow yourself more. Life is one — stop being good to everyone.

Take a break from communication, even with close ones. This won«t make you a bad wife or mother.

Ask yourself more often: «What am I feeling?», «How does this affect me?», «What do I want right now?», «How is it okay to treat me, and how is it not?»

Learn to take care of your personal boundaries and defend them, if that wasn«t a habit before.

Sum up your achievements and praise yourself for what you«ve accomplished. Don»t dwell on failures — look for the positive.

Set realistic plans for the future, your own, not others«. Take small steps and don»t devalue them, even if the goal is still far away.