A Zest Full Life Post 1: Why This Blog Is Important To You.

A funny thing happened a few years ago.  An employed, hard-working woman walks into a room and comes out…RETIRED!  Parties, farewells and pats on the back ensued.  I just gained the freedom to:

·        Travel

·        Skip the daily grind, and

·        Pursue my interests.      

But then what?

I had a plan.  Three years later I have a culinary certificate and a failed catering business.  The covid lockdown aside, I realized that catering was a highly competitive business with low profitability for a newbie.  When my business partner jumped ship, I had to admit that I was not passionate enough to continue the business on my own.

But then what?

So, the search began for my next adventure, classes, book club, charity work.  Nothing clicked for me.  Meanwhile I noticed a change in the way I was regarded and treated.  Retired! A certain look or odd comment about me being older than anyone in the group.  What was this?  So what, I thought.  I am still the same person I was before retirement.

Gradually after experiencing comments from classmates such as "what will she do with a culinary certificate" and "she will slow us down on this trip," my self-confidence began to slip. 

Added to this, I felt isolated during the lockdown that went on and on. 

Ultimately, I felt:

·        Old

·        Valueless

·        Less confident

·        Isolated

·        Invisible, and

·        Downright depressed.

But what then?

As luck would have it, my attitude and mood took a turn for the better.  Someone close to me began helping me build back my self-confidence, energy and optimism.  My wonderful daughter was by now a business coach.  I am presently participating in a leadership group she is leading.  She is my personal coach, and I have made great strides in the last several months.  This blog and my website are the result of our work together. 

I now truly believe that every chapter of our life, including this one, should and can be joyous, fulfilling and with limitless possibilities.  In other words, a Zest Full Life.  

Maybe you can identify with my experiences.  Since retirement have you lost direction in your life? Do you feel undervalued?  Have you begun to question your talents and strengths? Do you have a dream that is always “someday?”  (Of course, we all know about some days.)

In my blog posts to come, I want to explore why we might be feeling lost and dispirited and what we can do to regain our energy and our power to lead a fulfilled life.  (It’s more than putting your big girl panties on.)

·        What is ageism

·        Why self-care is so important such as fitness, nutrition and wellness

·        Living your dream

·        Why we give our power away (without knowing it) and how can we get it back

·        Why words matter: no one wants to be referred to as a “blue hair”

·        Looking our best (and why not.  We have earned it.)

·        What is Ableism and how does it relate to us

·        What can strong women in history teach us

·        How to take care of our own finances and other resources

·        Fear of failure (There’s winning and there’s learning.  Dan Sullivan)

·        What services are available to us in our community and state.

·        What national and global efforts could mean to us

·        What can we do in our community to make our lives and the lives of other older people fulfilled and happy

·        Why it is important to take the message to and work with younger generations to end ageism in our communities

I hope you find these topics interesting.  What other topics have occurred to you? Please send them via the COMMENTS.

What now?

LET’S GET STARTED!