I love older women who are unapologetically doing whatever the hell they want. It makes me look forward to aging rather than fear it.
Also, I saw at the bottom that you have a guide to Ischia and I was like “why didn’t I buy Brenna’s guide?! I was just there!!” Then I realized I was in ISTRIA, not Ischia…there is not enough coffee in the world 🫠
Yes I was confused when I went to Istria too. Apparently the region covers multiple countries, so we would drive back and forth between Slovenia and Italy and not understand what the heck was going on :)
Ischia is a very lovely island one hour from Naples, I recommend a visit someday!
One day at our bookstore in Puerto Morelos, in walked an older woman. The store was otherwise empty, I was at the counter, and I heard her say, as she was twirling around pointing at the shelves, “Well, all right girl. All right!” Oh hi I said. I don’t think we’ve met. “I’m Geneva. I'm your neighbor, I live in Peten Pech. You did a fabulous job with this store.” She went on to elaborate she’d moved to Cancun at 68. Hurricane Gilberto, a class 5, demolished her condo. With insurance $ she bought a beachfront lot 3km north of us on a near empty stretch of beach with a shack on it.She was originally from Oklahoma. Went to college, only woman in her class,studied psychiatristry, married, had a daughter, later divorced at 60– and eventually moved to Mexico solo. We became fast friends. Her OK accent with Spanish was a hoot as was she. She hung out at the bookstore and we had such fun times. Everyone was entranced by her— even the mafia dude ‘undercover’ living at far end of the beach near her. She totally reinvented herself. Smart as a whip, very political ( she’d be so bummed re US politics of last 8 years) and was a blast to be with. One can never be too old! She woulda loved the trainer from Tulum. Great post! Forever young, let’s hear it for that.
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.”
This post gave me encouragement for a few things, that aging can be fun and expansive, the success stories of women walking their own path bravely, and feeling seen for celebrating non traditional accomplishments. I feel like I deserve a celebration too.
I follow a lot of people over age 50, since I’m well over 50 now, and all the lovely folks you mention. ❤️ Jamie Lee Curtis is another bombshell of inspiration, saying “getting older makes you more alive” and doing even more! It’s so true!
I loved this post, Brenna! It's so full of wisdom and encouragement. It is also a wonderful reminder to me that there is so much left to accomplish, even though I am now 73.
And just in case my life can help encourage others as well...I went back to school at the age of 52 to earn my second master's degree (in Writing). This led to my own business as a freelance writer and editor. Which led to clients around the world. After my husband of 37 years died in 2014, my most important client asked me to move to Vienna, Austria, to work for his nonprofit full time. I took a deep breath and said yes. So at the age of 63, I put all my belongings into storage, said goodbye to my friends and family, and moved to Vienna.
The move completely transformed my life. I made more money than I ever had before; put all of my prior skills and training to use; designed, wrote and edited numerous best practice guides and 200-page training manuals; and traveled to places all over Europe while enjoying my five weeks of paid vacation every year. At the age of 65, I met an Austrian. At the age of 68, I married him and we retired together to the west coast of Ireland.
If I had told myself that I was too old to go back to school, start my own business, teach myself how to create websites, move to a new country, or marry again, none of this would have happened. Which is why it is so important, as you say, not to tell ourselves that "it's too late."
And in answer to who my inspirations are, I would say Dame Judi Dench and Hellen Mirren, who grow ever more beautiful as the wrinkles in their faces proudly demonstrate the fascinating lives they have lived.
I'm inspired to celebrate my friend who revamped her travel business and launched a new website to make it official! We really should celebrate non traditional milestones, I love it.
I had a mentor in my early engineering days who used to regularly say, “If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” His voice still echoes in my head, prompting me to open my heart to new ways of being. That is where my true happiness lies.
I met someone in her 80s the other day who is an "expander." Her husband died and she is now dating someone, long-distance, taking fairly frequent flights (from Hawaii where she lives to California where he does) to see him. Romance ignited in the 8th decade!
Love this post! I immediately thought of Sara Blakely before seeing you mentioned her. And I’d never heard of Train with Joan, how cool!!
I remember years ago I was in Hood River, a town that is known for wind surfing. I talked to a middle-aged man who was watching his wife out on the water as he told me that in her middle age she decided she wanted to try the sport and does it totally solo. I was inspired!
What a great post! I really needed this, I have been talking recently with many friends about this ‘age fear’ I so much think is bullock’s, but somehow, at least once a week I find myself unconsciously worrying about it 🫠
I recently just moved to the US after living in London for 10 years, I didn’t really needed or wanted to move, but my other half asked me if I’d be willing to a new adventure with him, I was scared but said yes! - I thought about comfort zones, and taking risks, and what if all goes wrong and whatnot, I felt also a bit guilty of having these thoughts… until one of my colleagues told something along the lines of “you can always go back to places you already know, but you won’t know if you like or dislike new places unless you go there” - which reinforced my decision of moving and trying it out just for the sake of trying and having no regrets ✨
I’m proud of myself for that, even though sometimes my partner doesn’t find that necessarily romantic lol!
I’m 33, and regardless of what happens, I know that in the future I’ll be able to say “I did it, I tried it, been there, done that, and thanks to it, I’m now here”.
Can't tell you how much I needed to read this right now, Brenna! "By walking, one makes the path" is advice so fabulous, it sent shivers down my spine. (Also, can we talk about our mutual adoration for Train With Joan?!)
I love older women who are unapologetically doing whatever the hell they want. It makes me look forward to aging rather than fear it.
Also, I saw at the bottom that you have a guide to Ischia and I was like “why didn’t I buy Brenna’s guide?! I was just there!!” Then I realized I was in ISTRIA, not Ischia…there is not enough coffee in the world 🫠
Yes I was confused when I went to Istria too. Apparently the region covers multiple countries, so we would drive back and forth between Slovenia and Italy and not understand what the heck was going on :)
Ischia is a very lovely island one hour from Naples, I recommend a visit someday!
Not enough coffee in the world! I second this! 😂
One day at our bookstore in Puerto Morelos, in walked an older woman. The store was otherwise empty, I was at the counter, and I heard her say, as she was twirling around pointing at the shelves, “Well, all right girl. All right!” Oh hi I said. I don’t think we’ve met. “I’m Geneva. I'm your neighbor, I live in Peten Pech. You did a fabulous job with this store.” She went on to elaborate she’d moved to Cancun at 68. Hurricane Gilberto, a class 5, demolished her condo. With insurance $ she bought a beachfront lot 3km north of us on a near empty stretch of beach with a shack on it.She was originally from Oklahoma. Went to college, only woman in her class,studied psychiatristry, married, had a daughter, later divorced at 60– and eventually moved to Mexico solo. We became fast friends. Her OK accent with Spanish was a hoot as was she. She hung out at the bookstore and we had such fun times. Everyone was entranced by her— even the mafia dude ‘undercover’ living at far end of the beach near her. She totally reinvented herself. Smart as a whip, very political ( she’d be so bummed re US politics of last 8 years) and was a blast to be with. One can never be too old! She woulda loved the trainer from Tulum. Great post! Forever young, let’s hear it for that.
Jeanine, I LOVE this story. Sometimes you meet people who are just so ZESTY and it is so contagious! Thanks for sharing Geneva with us :)
Brenna, so glad I could share her. Miss her to this day. RIP Geneva. I’m still in touch with her daughter,
Yes. Rainer Maria Rilke:
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.”
damn. These are the words I needed to read today. Thank you Ben.
This post gave me encouragement for a few things, that aging can be fun and expansive, the success stories of women walking their own path bravely, and feeling seen for celebrating non traditional accomplishments. I feel like I deserve a celebration too.
Yes you do Erika!!!
I follow a lot of people over age 50, since I’m well over 50 now, and all the lovely folks you mention. ❤️ Jamie Lee Curtis is another bombshell of inspiration, saying “getting older makes you more alive” and doing even more! It’s so true!
I adore Jamie Lee Curtis. She said something once about craving day concerts, she can't stay out late anymore, I'm here for that!!!
Haha! I saw that one! Fully on board 😂
I loved this post, Brenna! It's so full of wisdom and encouragement. It is also a wonderful reminder to me that there is so much left to accomplish, even though I am now 73.
And just in case my life can help encourage others as well...I went back to school at the age of 52 to earn my second master's degree (in Writing). This led to my own business as a freelance writer and editor. Which led to clients around the world. After my husband of 37 years died in 2014, my most important client asked me to move to Vienna, Austria, to work for his nonprofit full time. I took a deep breath and said yes. So at the age of 63, I put all my belongings into storage, said goodbye to my friends and family, and moved to Vienna.
The move completely transformed my life. I made more money than I ever had before; put all of my prior skills and training to use; designed, wrote and edited numerous best practice guides and 200-page training manuals; and traveled to places all over Europe while enjoying my five weeks of paid vacation every year. At the age of 65, I met an Austrian. At the age of 68, I married him and we retired together to the west coast of Ireland.
If I had told myself that I was too old to go back to school, start my own business, teach myself how to create websites, move to a new country, or marry again, none of this would have happened. Which is why it is so important, as you say, not to tell ourselves that "it's too late."
And in answer to who my inspirations are, I would say Dame Judi Dench and Hellen Mirren, who grow ever more beautiful as the wrinkles in their faces proudly demonstrate the fascinating lives they have lived.
Clarice, you're such an inspiration! I adore your story and the beautiful life you created for yourself.
Thank you, Brenna!
Wow Clarice! This is amazing ✨👏🏼 so exciting!
Thank you!
I'm inspired to celebrate my friend who revamped her travel business and launched a new website to make it official! We really should celebrate non traditional milestones, I love it.
Loved all this positive words and empowering examples!
Thanks Barbs!!
Women over 50 rock!
Love it Bonnie!
This post encapsulated a feeling I've been having for years now and explained it so clearly and effectively, with examples! Thank you Brenna!
I had a mentor in my early engineering days who used to regularly say, “If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” His voice still echoes in my head, prompting me to open my heart to new ways of being. That is where my true happiness lies.
I met someone in her 80s the other day who is an "expander." Her husband died and she is now dating someone, long-distance, taking fairly frequent flights (from Hawaii where she lives to California where he does) to see him. Romance ignited in the 8th decade!
Ugh I love it!! What a full life!!!
Love this post! I immediately thought of Sara Blakely before seeing you mentioned her. And I’d never heard of Train with Joan, how cool!!
I remember years ago I was in Hood River, a town that is known for wind surfing. I talked to a middle-aged man who was watching his wife out on the water as he told me that in her middle age she decided she wanted to try the sport and does it totally solo. I was inspired!
That's soooo bad ass!!!! I saw a woman cold swimming solo last time I was home in San Diego and was so impressed too. She had flippers and everything.
What a great post! I really needed this, I have been talking recently with many friends about this ‘age fear’ I so much think is bullock’s, but somehow, at least once a week I find myself unconsciously worrying about it 🫠
I recently just moved to the US after living in London for 10 years, I didn’t really needed or wanted to move, but my other half asked me if I’d be willing to a new adventure with him, I was scared but said yes! - I thought about comfort zones, and taking risks, and what if all goes wrong and whatnot, I felt also a bit guilty of having these thoughts… until one of my colleagues told something along the lines of “you can always go back to places you already know, but you won’t know if you like or dislike new places unless you go there” - which reinforced my decision of moving and trying it out just for the sake of trying and having no regrets ✨
I’m proud of myself for that, even though sometimes my partner doesn’t find that necessarily romantic lol!
I’m 33, and regardless of what happens, I know that in the future I’ll be able to say “I did it, I tried it, been there, done that, and thanks to it, I’m now here”.
Love that attitude! I did the same thing moving here to Italy. My partner got a job here and I said "when Italy calls, you answer!".
I'm stealing you mantra! Good luck as you adjust to the US.
What city are you in?
I’m in Stamford, CT, close and far enough from NYC. Where about are you in Italy and how’s the adjustment going? 🇮🇹
Absolutely!! You don’t know what you don’t know, and we will only know if we try!
Hope you’re enjoying everything as much as you can 😊
I’m in Naples Italy. I really like it here except for the humid summers.
Can't tell you how much I needed to read this right now, Brenna! "By walking, one makes the path" is advice so fabulous, it sent shivers down my spine. (Also, can we talk about our mutual adoration for Train With Joan?!)
LOL Joan is such a baddie!!!
That phrase was something I repeated to myself daily when I got divorced. It really, REALLY helped me and I'm deploying it again now :)
SUCH a baddie!! (And: I wish I would've had this during my own divorce...but frankly, I can use it just as much now. 😅)
Thank you for writing this Brenna. There is such gentleness, wisdom, and encouragement in your words and examples. 💙
Oh thank you Shreya :) What a lovely comment that made me smile.