Your first newsletter had me subscribing, I was intrigued by your experience of change and now I see that over the last five years there have been many changes you've adapted to. I am much older than you but have this mindset of "treat life as an adventure". I am alone for the first time in a long time and loving it, I've just self published my first book, which was an adventure in itself, and I'm writing the next one. I refuse to accept the stereotypical image of the "old woman" as in my head I'm so not. Looking forward to reading your next missive.
Thank you Patricia. I love the idea of treating life as an adventure. I am learning to be alone - and have moments of really loving it. I miss my son very much and am slowly adjusting.
I felt I went with you on that journey. It took me some years to realise a long held dream if moving to the South West, West Sussex for West Somerset. I live in Exmoor National Park and like you, I daily feel like I am on holiday. Exmoor has 37 miles of glorious coastline which is great for cold water swimming when the rivers/lakes are not sensibly available. I left my business behind after a nervous breakdown and was afraid of what next. Having been self employed for most of my life, I needed to earn but I also needed, for my mental health, for it to be a passion. I started painting textural contemporary abstracts and love it and writing alongside the painting, not telling the viewer what to see but what I felt at the time I painted. A friend pointed out though that I was always talking about the outdoor adventures that I go on. The hiking, camaraderie, the swims and so with help I am launching an adventure business for the youthfully mature women, like me, I’m 59. Adventures for hen parties, with laughter yoga; hiking; forest bathing; swimming; meditation; soul and sky gazing. Married with luxury accommodation and a bar! Then ladies wanted to pretend they were getting married so they could come on a nature adventure so that will be possible too. Obviously I need to pay my bills but this feeds my soul; I leap out of bed with a smile on my face and close my eyes at the end of the day truly contented. Why shouldn’t we have our cake and eat it?
Hi Suzy - I’m at the same place as you. I sold my Mantra Jewellery business last July (which is still thriving, and one of my team, whom you met, went with the new owner, so all good), and closed my other jewellery business over the next few months, so am officially retired!
I’m doing a brilliant online History of Art course - I love art - and joined a book club, and getting loads done on the house and garden. But I’m also asking, what next? I’m only 54, and my husband is a long way off retiring - so what next for me, after a few months of enjoying some downtime? xxx
Love this and especially that last question. We know that ‘money doesn’t make you happy’ but I think we often forget what does. Heart leaps are exactly it! Thank you :)
Thank you, great article and the book sounds fab. I find myself constantly questioning what do I really want so will look forward to reading the book and catching up with your interview 😊
What a good and deep question! We can all say what we want right off the bat. But will that answer be sincere and true? Is it really what we want? I don't think so. Thank you for giving me a reason to reconsider.
I was just anticipating this, when it came up next on your list : "But then I had to rent out my house because I didn’t realise it would be so expensive to moor a canal boat in a marina in Kings Cross." Had to chuckle, but even then I kind of envied your story at that point. Withal, 'cruising the cut', as i hope to do in the next season of my life, is as different to London marina as a hotel room is to wandering around in a vast country estate… and then some.
What a journey in five years! Hope the next five finds you experiencing the next instalment of "a life well lived"!
Way to embrace change Suzy! I've been thinking a lot about aging because my elderly Mom is struggling and I am 56. I work in healthcare so have the opportunity to see how folks age differently and one of the things that stops us in our tracks is rigidity. Those vibrant elders who are rocking their last third are flexible and interesting. I love seeing articles like yours that show us it's possible, even when life is throwing some curveballs.
Your first newsletter had me subscribing, I was intrigued by your experience of change and now I see that over the last five years there have been many changes you've adapted to. I am much older than you but have this mindset of "treat life as an adventure". I am alone for the first time in a long time and loving it, I've just self published my first book, which was an adventure in itself, and I'm writing the next one. I refuse to accept the stereotypical image of the "old woman" as in my head I'm so not. Looking forward to reading your next missive.
Thank you Patricia. I love the idea of treating life as an adventure. I am learning to be alone - and have moments of really loving it. I miss my son very much and am slowly adjusting.
You're right, life is one big adventure. At any age, at any time, in any place. The main thing is to remind yourself of this!
I felt I went with you on that journey. It took me some years to realise a long held dream if moving to the South West, West Sussex for West Somerset. I live in Exmoor National Park and like you, I daily feel like I am on holiday. Exmoor has 37 miles of glorious coastline which is great for cold water swimming when the rivers/lakes are not sensibly available. I left my business behind after a nervous breakdown and was afraid of what next. Having been self employed for most of my life, I needed to earn but I also needed, for my mental health, for it to be a passion. I started painting textural contemporary abstracts and love it and writing alongside the painting, not telling the viewer what to see but what I felt at the time I painted. A friend pointed out though that I was always talking about the outdoor adventures that I go on. The hiking, camaraderie, the swims and so with help I am launching an adventure business for the youthfully mature women, like me, I’m 59. Adventures for hen parties, with laughter yoga; hiking; forest bathing; swimming; meditation; soul and sky gazing. Married with luxury accommodation and a bar! Then ladies wanted to pretend they were getting married so they could come on a nature adventure so that will be possible too. Obviously I need to pay my bills but this feeds my soul; I leap out of bed with a smile on my face and close my eyes at the end of the day truly contented. Why shouldn’t we have our cake and eat it?
What a brilliant business idea - adventures for the youthfully mature women.
Thank you for sharing these words of happiness with us. They made me feel very positive and eager to do what I really wanted to do. Have a great day!
Hi Suzy - I’m at the same place as you. I sold my Mantra Jewellery business last July (which is still thriving, and one of my team, whom you met, went with the new owner, so all good), and closed my other jewellery business over the next few months, so am officially retired!
I’m doing a brilliant online History of Art course - I love art - and joined a book club, and getting loads done on the house and garden. But I’m also asking, what next? I’m only 54, and my husband is a long way off retiring - so what next for me, after a few months of enjoying some downtime? xxx
Lovely to hear from you. I loved your Mantra jewelry .So how will you explore what's next for you?
Love this and especially that last question. We know that ‘money doesn’t make you happy’ but I think we often forget what does. Heart leaps are exactly it! Thank you :)
What makes your heart leap?
Ok so I need to read more. Of your stuff!
Thank you
Thank you, great article and the book sounds fab. I find myself constantly questioning what do I really want so will look forward to reading the book and catching up with your interview 😊
It's such a good book. I heartily recommend it.
I love this Suzy, I’m going to do the looking back over the last five years exercise and pledge my support. ❤️
Thank you Sharon, that means a lot.
What a good and deep question! We can all say what we want right off the bat. But will that answer be sincere and true? Is it really what we want? I don't think so. Thank you for giving me a reason to reconsider.
I was just anticipating this, when it came up next on your list : "But then I had to rent out my house because I didn’t realise it would be so expensive to moor a canal boat in a marina in Kings Cross." Had to chuckle, but even then I kind of envied your story at that point. Withal, 'cruising the cut', as i hope to do in the next season of my life, is as different to London marina as a hotel room is to wandering around in a vast country estate… and then some.
What a journey in five years! Hope the next five finds you experiencing the next instalment of "a life well lived"!
Yes, I wasn't quite brave enough for continuous cruising versus the marina. Maybe next time.
Way to embrace change Suzy! I've been thinking a lot about aging because my elderly Mom is struggling and I am 56. I work in healthcare so have the opportunity to see how folks age differently and one of the things that stops us in our tracks is rigidity. Those vibrant elders who are rocking their last third are flexible and interesting. I love seeing articles like yours that show us it's possible, even when life is throwing some curveballs.
Yes, flexibility is good. But it felt a little too bendy at times. 😳
Haha! Yes it's a fine line, a flexibly but not too bendy line!!