I’m starting a business named Savoring Your Sixties.
Why don’t I just post a neon sign on my forehead saying I’m old? Or hire the Goodyear blimp to circle the state, flashing “Bonnie McFarland is 60?”
I get the joke of this. But I admit I don’t find it knee-slappingly funny.
How’d this happen to a nice girl like me?
One moment I was thinking about hiding my age. Okay, that idea didn’t last long but I was shocked it had even occurred to me!
The next moment I’m specializing in helping women who are in the vicinity of 60.
In my forties and fifties, many people upon learning my age were surprised. At least they professed to be. They thought I was younger. I must confess I enjoyed that.
That gig is now up. When someone at a cocktail party asks what I do and I tell them, no one is thinking that I’m anything less than 60, are they?
Like I said, my business is a neon sign for my age.
I’m sure this is part of my journey to make peace with turning 60. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. And to be honest, I’m not there yet.
Please share your own not-completely-amused-that-you’re-turning-60 story. Or share some encouragement and inspiration. Both are welcome here. Just click on Comments below, scroll down to the form, and write away.
Photo Courtesy of hugo90 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/3514778602/
I still can’t believe I’m 60! Some days, I think, well 60 is just a number and doesn’t mean much. Then I look at the birthdates of some of the people I work with; 1990, 1991, and I think that was just a year or two ago, wasn’t it? There are days when I’m more tired than usual and think, yes, I’m not as young as I used to be. I have had people tell me they don’t believe I’m 60, but it isn’t because of how I look; it’s my attitude. I don’t act 60 and have never ‘acted my age’ according to society’s standards. Maybe that’s the difference? That I do what feels right for me and not what someone else tells me I ’should’ do or be. It’s so easy to think I’m closer to the end of my life than to the beginning, but none of us knows how long we have. My philosophy on life is: 1) Treat others how I want to be treated; 2) Don’t fret over things I can’t control or things that in 5 or 10 years won’t really matter. Just my 2cents worth!
Comment by Ruth — October 20, 2009 @ 6:07 pmRuth, thanks for coming back. I read your post and said to myself. Yes and yes and yes. I get what you’re saying re can’t believe it, just a number, etc. And I appreciate hearing about your attitude & philosophy. When are you going to start your blog?
Based on what you’ve written here, I’d like to read it.
Comment by Bonnie — October 21, 2009 @ 12:12 pmOkay, now you’ve done it! You have unleashed a monster: http://ruth-rainbearsolutions.blogspot.com/
Comment by Ruth — October 25, 2009 @ 2:15 pmA big WooHoo to Ruth who has just launched her blog! Ruth, I’m delighted to have been so successful at nudging you.
I’m glad to see your blog is up & running. Hope you’ll have fun with it.
Comment by Bonnie — October 25, 2009 @ 4:31 pmThank you, Bonnie! It’s all your doing. You have inspired me to get off my butt (figuratively speaking, of course!) and really do something.
Comment by Ruth — October 26, 2009 @ 7:01 pm