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 am a member of the oprah.com community. Great site. Within the last week Oprah offered members of her website community the opportunity to download Jean Chatzky’s latest book: The Difference:How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times free of charge! The free download offer was only for a 24 hour period, but I was lucky enough to get a copy.
What is The Difference? I have only begun to read the book, but the introduction and first chapters give an overview of the sum and substance to follow. She posits the question: why do some people seem to succeed in life, while others seem to fail, or best scenario, just get by? What is the difference between the Warren Buffets of this world and someone who lives paycheck to paycheck, or each year finds themselves deeper in debt?What have they got that you don’t have? What is the difference?
It’s more of a workbook than a fast read. In fact Jean encourages the reader to go slowly through each chapter, in the order in which they are presented, working through each of the exercises. Her point: each of us has what it takes to succeed. Life circumstances may cause us to adapt and change, but meet each circumstance as a challenge and opportunity. Optimism and thinking with positive energy seem to be a key to this winning philosophy.
As I said, I am only just beginning the book, but already am hooked. Will be commenting further in subsequent postings. In the meantime I encourage you to purchase the book and the companion workbook as well. It is available now online through Amazon.com.
Looking for the perfect midlife relationship? Or the perfect midlife career change? Simple wishing might make it all come true, but there is a method to the manifesting.
I just came across a very interesting video on YouTube that speaks to this very issue. Simple and straightforward, it is well worth the four minutes it takes to watch.
(If you cannot view the youtube video above, click here to go directly to youtube.)
The universe is ready to provide the very best for you. You only have to ask.
Today’s midlife woman is part of the first generation of women who have the ability to have a life after menopause. Our mothers and grandmothers were expected to fade into the background once their usefulness as child rearers was complete. Not so for today’s baby boomer midlifers! They get a second chance at life without the duties, obligations and commitments of their earlier years that encouraged them to suppress their own interests in favor of being in service to family and/or career.
This is the time nature has decreed that midlife women reconnect to their authentic self, unbridle their passion and live the life they were born to live. Reconnecting to your authentic self is a process of excavating your hidden talents and your heart’s desires, your hidden beliefs and your programmed “shoulds.” This requires your time and attention. Observing yourself, tuning into your thoughts and feelings, journaling, meditating, practices like yoga or Tai Chi, and personal coaching, are all useful tools in getting to know yourself at a very deep level. It can be a challenge in our distraction-rich culture that blares away at us from all sides.
When I say getting to know yourself, that includes those shadow parts that have been relegated to the basement of your subconscious mind so you could fit it. Continue Reading »
