HERE'S TO OUR 100th EPISODE!
I never honestly thought it would last that long!
Lovely readers!
I hope this episode finds you well and thriving? I hope so!
I’m chuffed to mintballs over this episode - it’s my 100th one! Who knew? I started the newsletter back in March 2021 and really, really thought I was out of my depth.
I can remember very clearly the morning I sat down to start the newsletter. I was at a co-working space in Manchester city centre, and my hands trembled as I typed! I think I’d even gone so far to ask one or two successful business women that I knew whether they thought I should start a newsletter or not.
How pathetic is that? But probably, back then, I was pathetic!
I had no belief that anyone would think that 45 Not Out had any value or spoke to women like us. I had started the 45 Not Out podcast about 6 months earlier and had racked up a bit of a following, but I thought no-one would be interested in the newsletter :(
I was wrong, slightly. Not that is has the biggest following ever, but the 160 or so ladies who have subscribed (and I’m always blown away when somebody new signs up) tend to stay with me for the long haul.
And for that, I’m really grateful
What has doing the newsletter brought me?
Weelllll, the biggest thing it’s taught me is that I am really, really not the only one who experiences the subtle (and not so subtle) ageism and sexism that we all have to endure at this stage in life, particularly in work and business.
The second thing it’s brought me is just how crucial it is to have a network of like-minded women. As I said previously in this edition, back in 2021 when I started the newsletter, I was far less confident in what I was doing than I am now.
Now, having you lot as part of the 45 Not Out community means so much and has given me confidence. Which, truthfully, is a totally priceless gift. And I’m grateful to each and every one of you.
And, I hope too, that what I cover speaks to you and helps you to develop and maintain confidence in yourself . That’s one of the reasons why I started the newsletter.
So, to those of you who have put up with my garbled musings each issue and are still with me, just know that this means the world to me. And in return, I hope what I have say strikes a chord with you.
So, if you like the 45 Not Out vibe and being part of this wonderful community, then there is somewhere else you can hang out.
I have spoken a few times about the PRIVATE Facebook group that I run. It’s becoming the beating heart of 45 Not Out as it’s where the fabulous members of this group can discuss things, get things off their chest and generally support each other. All in a very safe space - what happens in the group STAYS in the group ;)
It’s free, and is currently running with about 240 fab, fab women who contribute stuff and discuss things that matter to us at our time of life.
And, in late January 2025, I will be developing this group into something more, but I’ll go into that more next week, which will be the last newsletter of 2024.
So, for now, if you want to come on down and join the fab 45 Not Out Facebook group for free, gratis and for nothing, then you can join up here.
I look forward to seeing those of you who aren’t already members over there :)
So, that’ll be a wrap from me until next Wednesday 20th December, which has been brought forward a week as it will be the last newsletter of 2024.
Stay safe, warm & well until then
Una x