Why do we wait for others to celebrate us? This question hit me hard as I approached my birthday this year. We’re conditioned from childhood to expect others – family, friends, partners – to orchestrate our birthday celebrations. But what if we flipped this script? What if choosing to celebrate
There’s something magical about this stage of life. You’re standing at a unique threshold, looking back at decades filled with experience and forward toward new dreams waiting to be fulfilled. But for many women, approaching retirement doesn’t feel like a time to slow down or fit into a typical retirement
Are you feeling a curious mix of freedom, anticipation, and, perhaps, a hint of trepidation as you imagine your future? Society offers a steady stream of narratives about slowing down, preparing to retire, and resigning oneself to a “golden years” routine of reduced activity and fixed horizons. But for many
Retirement’s traditional notion of slowing down or fading away can feel limiting or stale. We’ve invested decades in meaningful work, nurtured countless relationships, and navigated life’s unexpected twists. Reaching this point, we may find ourselves at a crossroads, wondering what comes next. When society pushes us towards a retirement that
There’s something about turning 50 that society loves to remind us about. The narrative we’ve often heard suggests that life winds down, opportunities grow smaller, and it’s time to fade into the background. I say let’s reject this outdated notion that aging is synonymous with decline. Instead, I encourage each
In my late 50s, I stood at the crossroads of life, staring down a future that no longer fit neatly into the conventional narrative of “retirement.” I had no interest in retirement, and the world around me expected me to downshift, slow my pace, and settle into a life of
Birthdays are traditionally a time to celebrate, but as we grow older, many women stop making a big deal about their special day. Cultural norms, shifting priorities, or the feeling that “birthdays are just for kids” often lead women to downplay their birthdays. I’m challenging all of you to reclaim
As a coach, I’ve served several women who have a lot to feel grateful for and yet still feel like they want more out of this next phase. Some of them come to me expressing a feeling of being set adrift—they have accomplished everything and are uncertain about their next
For many of us, the idea of retirement has evolved beyond the traditional image of lounging by the beach or traveling full time. Now that we’re here, we see this life stage as a dynamic chapter—a chance to explore and nurture a lifestyle aligned with who we are. But, while
As you stand at the threshold of a new chapter, the traditional vision of retirement may feel like an ill-fitting garment—too restrictive, too outdated for the vibrant life you envision. For women like us, this stage isn’t about stepping back; it’s about stepping boldly into a future that reflects our
I remember the feeling of standing at a crossroads, looking back at a life rich with experiences, roles I’d mastered, and challenges I’d overcome. Are some of your responsibilities shifting or ending? I felt a mix of liberation and uncertainty. I was asking myself, ‘What’s next for me?’ or ‘How
As you enter this stage, have you noticed the subtle—and sometimes not-so-subtle—messages suggesting that aging equals decline? Whether it’s the media, well-meaning friends, or even your inner voice, these messages can leave you questioning if your best years are truly behind you. But what if this next chapter could be
You know you’ve arrived at midlife when you can’t ignore the challenges that come with this milestone. Challenges like physical changes, shifting family dynamics, career transitions, and the looming prospect of retirement. Even though these changes may intimidate, they also provide a fantastic opportunity for growth and renewal. One of
I know that title doesn’t rhyme and . . . As you stand at the crossroads of life after 50, the path ahead is both wide open and filled with potential. Many people see this phase of life through two lenses: the wisdom of “sage-ing” and the excitement of reinvention.
Society often presents retirement as a time of slowing down, retreating, and embracing the conventional narrative of “taking it easy.” We are women who see retirement not as a closing act but as the beginning of a new, vibrant chapter—one filled with possibilities for health, relationships, and new beginnings. One
As you step into this vibrant stage of life, the world opens up in ways that many never expect. Retirement, often painted with broad strokes of leisure and quietude, is evolving. For women like you—resilient, resourceful, and ready—the possibilities are endless. In this chapter, shift the focus from winding down
Society often portrays retirement as a time of rest, a slow descent into the twilight of life. For women over 50 who have redefined this stage, it is an exciting ascent, a time of blossoming potential and personal growth. Rather than the end, they think of this chapter as the
“Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were going to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi Our lives are a tapestry woven with rich experiences, joyful memories, and lessons learned. Yet, it is also an open canvas, inviting you to splash new colors, paint new
Imagine stepping into the next chapter of your life, where the bustling days of high-level roles and endless responsibilities are behind you. Meet Sally, a woman like many of us, who dreamt of leisurely mornings, cherished hobbies, and meaningful time with loved ones. After three decades of meticulously scheduled days,
When you reach the age you once thought was old, it no longer feels that way. You hear others define themselves as young at heart. Maybe they claim age is just a number. Science says old is a state of mind. To me, that shows each of us gets to
Have you ever stopped to think about the old saying, “You are what you eat”? When I was younger, that advice brought to mind how my body looked, how much I weighed, how I felt in my clothes. Let’s dig deeper into what this really means for now, especially if
“If you’re not pushing yourself, you’re slipping backward,” Kelly Howard’s words echo the essence of staying fit, especially as we journey past the milestone of 50 and onward. In her book “FIT: Active and Ageless for Life,” Kelly champions the idea that “fit is freedom,” a sentiment that resonates deeply
I fell on Thursday, July 6, in the movie theater on the way to my seat and fractured my femur. I’d gone to see the new Indiana Jones movie with my daughter and grandson. I tripped going up the steps carrying a box of popcorn and came down to my
What is the meaning you give to the idea of pursuing pleasure? Is there any chatter going on in your mind? Don’t let surprise at your reaction get the best of you. I’m fascinated by the evolution of our level of comfort with pleasure over my lifetime as a woman.
“Legacy is what you’re doing right now, tomorrow, next week, the week after that. Keep it going as long as you can because it might be better than anything you’ve done before.” Martha Stewart. What are you doing right now or tomorrow to leave the world a better place? The
As humans, we have a predisposition towards viewing our lives with a scarcity mindset. A scarcity mindset means you view the world as a glass half empty condition. We’ve evolved — well, the primitive part of our brains has evolved — to keep us safe. We spent eons trying to
The world is conspiring to get you to conform – to be like everyone else. Being like everyone else is reason to pause and reflect. Non-conformity is another hallmark of Emerson’s essay on Self-Reliance. Emerson says, “Society will whip you with its displeasure.” It’s natural for us to feel ill
Do you reflect on others’ behavior thinking they’re doing something wrong? Or something that won’t serve them in the long run? A battered woman who won’t leave a situation, an elderly person who refuses help when walking across a busy street. You wonder what they are thinking. It reminds me
You know about the practice of selecting a word of the year as a touchstone for the year ahead. “The word of the year” is a popular alternative to resolutions. A word of the year is a great alternative for those who’ve sworn off of New Year’s resolutions. It’s an
It’s the beginning of a new year and it’s a good point to check in on those changes you set out to make for this year. There’s one camp ignoring the opportunity to set an intention for the new year out of frustrations over all the past failures. There’s another
“You don’t stop having fun when you get old, you get old when you stop having fun.” Anonymous So are you old or are you having fun? And you know you’re having fun when time flies! When we’re young, time seems to fly by when we’re playing — no one
It’s the beginning of a new year and I’m imagining what I want to create this year. My imagination seems dull, less exciting than I remember it being when I was young. They define the term imaginable as capable of being imagined or conceived. With decades of living in front
Patience. We’ve become so accustomed to virtually instant gratification — anything we want to know or see is on a device. Anything we want to have arrives on the doorstep. Food is constantly available. Waiting for or creating something we want often seems like torture. Except there really isn’t any
When I say alone, I’m not talking about your death resulting from a sudden traumatic event, — a fatal car accident, a major heart attach, or whatever instant death scenario you can conjure up in your imagination. There are very few lives that end so succinctly. How many friends do
I invited six friends to take part in what I called a 30 Day Pride Challenge. We set out to share something you were proud of every day for 30 days. My friends are all retired, so big career accomplishments or work projects didn’t show up on the daily report
I’m not talking about the why as in “why did this happen to me?” I’m not even talking about the “why is this or that going on in the world?” I’m talking about the why you want what you want. For me, this idea of why didn’t come until I
“If You Always Do What You’ve Always Done, You’ll Get What You’ve Always Gotten.” This quote, often attributed to Henry Ford, may be true for many things. With physical function, fitness for daily activities, and well-being as we age, I’m afraid it’s false. Much of the longevity we’re enjoying is
This is an experiment into what happens when women let themselves feel pride at the end of every day for what they’ve accomplished during the day. I believe taking pride in the results we create is self-care. It’s a way we can have our own back every day. By definition,
As a part of my legacy in the world, I want to create a stronger, trimmer, more fit body for myself this year. I want to create it and keep it up over at least the next ten years. First, let me say that I love my body. It is
From the lowest common denominator of “If you’re not aging, you’re dead,” to loftier sentiments from Ramit Sethi “At the moment when we accept our weaknesses and stop deciding to grow, we’re the best we’re ever going to be. It’s all downhill from there.” There’s something about being human that
I’ve met several retirees who talk mostly about the past and their illnesses. When we were young, we were very good at imagining the future. Imagining the future at this stage may scare some people. When I encourage clients to imagine their lives ten years in the future, I’m often
I have wrinkles and that’s okay When I first started noticing wrinkles on my face, I had many of those same horrified feelings I remember having when I looked in the mirror on a Friday night in high school. Fear of someone mentioning the acne, thinking less of myself —
This logo was created by physical therapists and it should be the battle cry for every individual over the age of 50 in this country. Physical therapists have started a campaign to redefine old and everyone should consider getting on board. The physical therapist’s perspective seems to largely be oriented
It’s possible to forge a fresh way of being in the world at any point. Regardless of your age, becoming someone new requires persistence. The trick may be in living and thinking and feeling as if you were already the person you want to be. If you’re retired like me
I’m an aspiring centenarian — a person who lives to the age of 100 and even beyond. I share my successes and failures in exploring what’s possible as we adjust to the boon in human longevity.
