Over the years, I’ve done aerobics, step aerobics, fitness with weights, yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and, most recently, Pilates. I used to be in classes of all young people, mostly women. Now, my Pilates’ class contains many midlife women. We are the same people, raised on the fitness culture of the 70’s, and 80’s. Jane… Continue reading Investing In The Fitness Of My 90 Year Old Self
Category: Ageism
Reclaiming The Word Retire
It’s not a new idea. For more than a decade people have shunned using the word “retire.”* It creates a visceral gut-punch response from active, and engaged folks who find themselves at that point in their lives where they’re leaving full-time careers. We know that we’ve technically retired from our jobs, but don’t call us… Continue reading Reclaiming The Word Retire
Who Are You?
NOTE: Written below are the raw reactions that I had years ago, when I was newly retired from teaching. If you’ve recently retired, perhaps you can relate. Originally published January, 2023. Suddenly I’m not me anymore and it’s jarring. All my adult life I’ve been a teacher. It’s who I was. But what is a… Continue reading Who Are You?
Who Inspires You?
Older women who are living their lives authentically without a worry about cultural norms or fashions, are inspiring to me. They are folks who have designed their life to suit them, not their partners or children or society. Some start businesses, some sell their homes and travel, some learn new skills, and others continue to… Continue reading Who Inspires You?
Are You As Old As You Feel?
Society may feel that you are older. It was a rude awakening to have my bank automatically change the name of my account to “seniors’,” the month that I turned 60. Suddenly my age meant that I was being perceived as a senior by a major institution. I thought I’d have at least 5 more… Continue reading Are You As Old As You Feel?
“Let’s Go Girls!”
“Let’s Go Girls!” is the empowering call from Shania Twain’s 1997 hit, Man, I Feel Like A Woman. Just by listening to it today, I feel like I can do anything. It’s a powerful rally cry coming from Shania. However, being addressed repeatedly as “girls” recently, felt like the complete opposite of this: demeaning, and… Continue reading “Let’s Go Girls!”
Trusting Your Body As You Age
I don’t really trust my body. It has a habit of suddenly breaking down with no apparent warning. One day, I’m busy sitting at my desk for six hours, and the next day my back is in spasms the minute I put on a sock. Another day, I’m enjoying a long hike with the dog,… Continue reading Trusting Your Body As You Age
You Might As Well Jump, And Skip
I’ve been doing Zumba for years now. But I’ve only recently started adding in the jumps, instead of doing the low impact alternatives. I just assumed that it was better for me to not jump as I got older. I didn’t want to risk injuring myself. It turns out that I was wrong. So wrong.***… Continue reading You Might As Well Jump, And Skip
Who Inspires You?
Older women who are living their lives authentically without a worry about cultural norms or fashions, are inspiring to me. They are folks who have designed their life to suit them, not their partners or children or society. Some start businesses, some sell their homes and travel, some learn new skills, and others continue to… Continue reading Who Inspires You?
“Common” Knowledge: Ok Boomer
It’s embarrassing to admit it, but for a long time I struggled with opening jars, and taps, and anything that involved turning to open. It wasn’t that the jars were too tightly closed (although that can happen these days). It was the direction I needed to turn the lid. It was so useful when I… Continue reading “Common” Knowledge: Ok Boomer
Retired, And Now What? 