Life after 50 is full of distractions, complications and worries. As we approach “retirement,” whatever that means, we are balancing careers, dealing with changing social circumstances and struggling to stay healthy and fit. According to society, our 50s and 60s should be a time of “winding down” and “aging gracefully.” For most baby boomers I know, this really isn’t our style. Read More

I am a modern grandmother. My granddaughter calls me “Baba Margaret” – and I fully expect the “Baba” (Russian for Grandma) will drop off in a few years. Like most grandmas, I’m busy these days. I manage two businesses and my granddaughter and I live in different countries and time zones. Read More

Do you consider yourself to be a woman of your word? Are you the one who always keeps promises to herself and to everyone else as well? 18 months ago I would have said that was an appropriate description of me. That was before the big wake-up call came knocking. In that moment, long held thoughts and beliefs evaporated in an instant. I was handed a diagnosis that would strike fear into the heart of a woman of any age…

Most people over 50 don’t consider themselves “old.” And, why should we? After all, most of us aren’t planning on retiring any time soon. Our aches and pains are occasional, not chronic. Our brains are buzzing along happily, with few, if any signs of forgetfulness or mental fuzziness.

At the same time, it often feels like the world expects us to start slowing down. Read More

One of the strange realities of life is that we assume that everyone else has their lives together while ours is in chaos. The reason for this is that we are all great actors; we are able to hide our imperfections, worries and problems from the world. On the other hand, we know ourselves perfectly because… well we are ourselves. Read More

Life after 60 is a time for reflection and renewal. It can also be a time for recommitting ourselves to our core values and exploring life with a renewed sense of purpose. As I talk to the other members of the Sixty and Me community, I find that most women believe that the best years are still to come – if we make good decisions today.

On some level, we all know that the secret to longevity and happiness after 60 isn’t found in the latest pills and potions that the “anti-aging” industry pushes at us. The best tonic for longevity is to live well – to surround ourselves with good friends, new experiences, healthy food and worthwhile dreams. But, if you are feeling a bit apprehensive about life after 60, you may be looking for some more specific advice. After all, we all know what makes us happy, but, knowing how to make ourselves happy is another matter! Read More

Over the last few years, more and more women have chosen to live in communities. In theory, this living situation is similar to the communes that many women were at least aware of in their 20s. In those days, women chose to live together for philosophical reasons. For example, many women found that this living session provided an outlet for their bohemian style and desire for experimentation. Read More

When you see a “strong woman” portrayed in a movie or on TV, she is almost always pushy, opinionated and self-centered. There is an implicit assumption that in order for a woman to be “strong,” she needs to be aggressive and brash. Read More

A few years ago, Rhonda Byrne’s little book, “The Secret” took the world by storm. Her message was simple: if you want good things to happen to you, start thinking positive thoughts. If you imagine yourself becoming wealthy, the universe will, eventually, shower you with riches. There is even an example in the book that talks about how to use your mind to create open parking spaces. Boy, do I wish that worked for me! Read More

Retirement homes are not what they used to be. In fact, people over 55 now have more options than ever before. This means you don’t have to decide between moving in with your kids and living in a nursing home. And just because you’re getting a little older doesn’t mean you have to give up your active lifestyle, either.

But how do you decide whether active adult communities or retirement homes are the better choice for you? Read More