Yahoo Lifestyle 
Gwyneth Paltrow poses in tiny bikini ahead of 50th birthday: 'GOALS'
Gwyneth Paltrow has taken to Instagram to share a photo of herself as she prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday in the coming days.
In the snap, the 49-year-old jumped into the air in a string bikini, with the caption, "Musing on a milestone," directing people to read an essay she wrote on her lifestyle site Goop.
"On September 27, I’ll turn 50," she wrote. "As I sit here contemplating this idea in the late summer morning, no moisture in the air, breeze moving only the tops of the trees, I strangely have no sense of time passed."
The actress continued, saying that while she understands how it can be daunting to grow older, she feels like life is only "getting sweeter".
RELATED
"I understand on some level that life is linear, that I have lived x number of days thus far and I have more in the basket under my arm than I do in the field before me. But there is something about the sweetness of life that exists deep within me that is unchanged, that will not change," she wrote.
She then went on to praise her body, describing it as a "map of the evidence of all the days".
"[My body is] a collection of marks and irregularities that dog-ear the chapters. Scarred from over burns, a finger smashed in a window long ago, the birth of a child. Silver hair and fine lines."
Gwyneth added that while she does what she can to "strive for good health and longevity", she accepts the changes that are happening to her.
"I accept the marks and the loosening skin, the wrinkles," she wrote. "I accept my body and let go of the need to be perfect, look perfect, defy gravity, defy logic, defy humanity. I accept my humanity."
Her fans loved the essay, with many sharing their thoughts on the Instagram post.
"Really beautiful. I too turn 50 on September 27th," one user wrote. "I’ll remember your words."
"Your words are so powerful and emotional!" another commented. "Almost welcome to your 50s!! I’ve been here and it’s FAB!! And you have that body and I don’t lol. Love you happy almost birthday."
"Read it, loved it, shared it, will hold onto many of your words and sentiments," a third said.
"Just read. So beautiful and poignant," someone else added. "Happy almost birthday! Best years to come."
"You are GOALS!" one fan said. "So joyful and full of warmth! Also, you’re a writer!!! Please write more!"
"You look so great! I hope I get to 50 looking as least half as good as you do," one user wrote.
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.
