Recently, I was scanning the shelves in the local bookstore. Of course, being a baby boomer, I was in the Self-Help section — I’m always looking for new information to help with my “midlife” life. And I stumbled upon a great book that I highly recommend to all of you.
How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better
What’s not to love about this book? I’ve been struggling with my closet for years. At last here is guidance to help figure out what to keep, what to throw away, what works and what does not. Every woman who is 40+ needs to read this book! She handles everything from hairstyles (get rid of the helmet head look people!) to skin care to the right pair of jeans to wear. Great advice for a wanna look younger person like me.
Here’s just a sample from Chapter 12: Top 25 Clothes That Just Gotta Go (I’m listing just ten from her list. – Check out the book for the full list.)
No matter how attached you are to any of these pieces, it’s time to part company, because they will date you and make you look OL (Old Lady). Don’t even think about keeping them for stay-around-the-house days, as you don’t want to be caught in them if the FedEx guy rings your bell.
Holiday sweaters with bells and appliqués (reindeers, teddy bears, bumblebees, pumpkins)
Granny/mommy necklaces that tell how many grandchildren/children you have
Souvenir T-Shirts
Ripped jeans
Shoulder pads
Over sized blazers
Elastic-waist pants
Granny undies
Penny loafers
Bearlike, full-length fur coats
Do you agree? or is there something too precious to part with on your list? Leave your comments below!
The author holds nothing back… and lets you have her stark advice right between the eyes. Even if you don’t agree with everything she writes, the information is worth reading!
I don’t walk enough. I’m too busy sitting at my desk, typing on my computer, reading and contributing to my blogs. I need to get up off my duff and take a short stroll about the neighborhood. I know I should do this. I remind myself often, to just get up and move. Sitting for 3 – 4 hours at a time, 10 hours a day at a computer screen, is not really living well.
It is about 2:30 on a splendid summer day here on Cape Cod. The breeze is blowing, the sky is blue, the neighborhood is quiet and sultry. Humid, yes, but perfectly tolerable. And I am still sitting. What do I need to get up and go?
Just came across this video on YouTube: How to Practice Buddhist Walking Meditation. It’s only 3 minutes long which I think I should be able to handle that. And I want to share it with you as well.
Check out this YouTube site… they also have meditations to lose weight, practice kindness. Watch, learn and enjoy.
One of the “realities” that hit me when I finally made it to midlife, is how important it is for me to have good friends in my life I can count on.
Having family nearby, or not further than a phone call away, is important. For many of us, family is a “given.” We don’t choose the family we are born into, though we may choose how close we remain to that “given” circle as we grow older. But we do choose the friends we keep close by.
I am fortunate to have many good associates— partners in business, social circles, and networking groups. I call and count on them often as I work and enjoy life. I have many of these circles. They don’t necessarily interact with each other. I kid my friends that the first time they will meet each other will be at my funeral.
… I’ve been thinking of purchasing a retirement home, but having a hard time selecting a location. I hate the cold of the northeast winters, but mind the humidity of the southeast coastline in the summers. Luckily, I have friends in both locations and for the past few years have spent time in the “on seasons” in both. Of course, there is always Montana and the fabulous Glacier National Park—but I don’t know anyone nearby… and there is Kansas, or Mississippi – but that too won’t work as I do not have friends or family in either location.
My choice for where to locate for the second half of my life will be determined by friends and family, no matter where I land.
Perhaps I should make a list of all my relatives and friends, hire a small RV and travel from person to person, spending just a few days in each place. If I work it right I could make the rounds over and over again, just paying for gas and the occasional thankyou dinner out. A true traveler! Of course, I would probably have to give up my day job, focus on just blogging and live off the kindness of others. Do you think it’s doable?
