MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO ME...

On another significant birthday.....

Dear Readers

I hope you are all well.

Goodness, it’s March already! How did that happen? I hope the previous months have been kind to you?

It’s been a while since I issued a newsletter, but with very good reasons (at least I think so). I had 2 major happenings during February - a big crisis with my elderly parents (I’m an only child) but that’s resolved now as much as it can be - and what I learnt during that period warrants a newsletter of its own - so I’ll be sharing my insights of dealing with frail, elderly parents in a future issue.

The second was a milestone birthday for me. *Swallows hard* - I turned 60 on the 20th of February. Arrgh! How did that happen? Following the ethos of 45 Not Out, it shouldn’t matter what the number is, but in a small part of me, it does.

I place a lot of the blame on the media image of 60 year old women when I was younger. Then, women aged 60 were pensioned off, irrespective of how effective a member of their workforce they were and the same in the media. Often these women meekly accepted the status quo of those times.

That is why the status quo (and much more) needs to change. From what I see online, there are some very slight changes being made. For instance, menopause has been at the forefront of the media for some time now. And it’s hoped that it will be influential in changing people’s attitude towards mid-life and older women.

So what am I planning to do in my new decade? Well, at this age, I’m prioritizing my health and doing all that I should to try and remain healthy. Secondly I’m prioritizing my family. Although both my daughters have fled the nest some time ago, they are ploughing through their lives and I want to be around to help them navigate any road blocks they may experience.

My third priority is work, and in particular developing 45 Not Out. My vision for this year is to turn it into a viable business, so watch this space ;)

So, how did I celebrate turning 60?

Truth be told, I had a great time. As you could expect during February, it peed it down all day. So, as is our way, me and the husband shot off to Llandudno on the North Wales coast. We had lunch on the way and wandered around the shops - heads up to those of you who are fond of wandering around charity shops - there’s a host of good quality charity shops in town. After we’d eaten in the evening the rain stopped and we managed a walk along with sea front. So, I decided to celebrate by venturing onto the pebbly beach (this was after a couple of wines, though). The photo below explains everything ;)……

But the real celebration came the following week. My husband came up with the brilliant idea of spending a few days in Oxford - somewhere we’ve never visited. And, I am rather partial to the odd episode of Lewis and Endeavour (it’s an age thing!). So we rented an Air Bnb just outside the city and had both our daughters and their partners to stay with us for a few days. Which, as anyone with an empty nest will know, just how precious time with your adult children is, no matter how often you see them.

I had a wonderful few days enjoying the company of my family - the best birthday present ever :)

If you have (or have had) a significant birthday coming up, embrace it - it’s only a number and it doesn’t define you. And I hope you have the best time :)

Take care until next issue

Una x