Later has arrived…

I’ve been dreaming of a site like this for over ten years. One that focuses on the best of being who we are. As I approached turning fifty, I was scared. Feeling old. My mom teased me and said, “Cindy, now you can join the local senior’s society center.” She thought it was hilarious. Huh? Me? A senior? At the time, I still owned my home-based business. I was responsible for the business, but I wasn’t passionate about it anymore. I had twenty people working for me. I was feeling frustrated and trapped. I also felt like I had wasted a good chunk of my forties and now I was turning fifty.

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age.” – Victor Hugo

Fortunately for me, I had also begun a volunteer program with first responders. This was super challenging (I was the oldest in the group). I had never done anything like it before. We had to get fast and strong. We had to learn self defense. We had to be confident. We had to be loud. I got into the best shape of my life! We had to get back into a classroom and write exams (it had been thirty years since I had written an exam). And I did it. I did it all. When I turned fifty, I hadn’t settled into some senior’s group. I was having a blast side by side with first responders making a difference, saving lives, and staying out past midnight!

“Don’t let the old man in.” – Clint Eastwood

Around the same time, I came across a book that felt like it was about me,  “Waking Up in Winter” by Cheryl Richardson.

“It’s starting, I thought. Winter will be here before you know it.” – Cheryl Richardson

This book left me with two powerful tools. First, it’s OK. Winter is OK. Fifty is OK. And second, be patient. I didn’t have to be perfect, and I didn’t have to know it all. I just needed patience. I felt like I wasn’t where I wanted to be, but I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I didn’t like my home-based business anymore but couldn’t see a way out. I had this creative side that I was itching to play with, but I felt like I never had enough time or energy. So, I focused on what I loved, my volunteering. I was part of a team. I was making a difference. And I was enjoying myself.

Then, the patience began to pay off. One day I received an unexpected phone call. Someone had seen the logos on my company vehicle and was interested in buying my business. Seriously? For real? Yup!  Six months later, my company was sold, and I was free! Now what?

Again patience. I soon found out that I could get paid for the type of volunteering that I loved. I could make a career of it. But first, I needed to go back to school. So, in 2017 I blew the dust off my backpack and went back to university. Two and a half years later I graduated with a Post Baccalaureate. By 2020 I was hired full-time and now have a career in that field. I’ve become one of those weird people who can’t wait to get back to work after days off because I have so much fun. I am challenged and excited. I love it!

But what about when I’m not at work? Once again, I find myself in a spot where I need to figure out what I want out of my life on days off, in between the office and the desk.

“I’m curious to discover what dwells deep down in the murky realms of myself.” – Cheryl Richardson

I don’t know where the next decade, as I approach my sixties, is going to take me. But I learned two things from my fifties. Keep the old woman out. Keep learning. Keep doing. Keep moving. And second, patience. It’s OK not to know exactly what’s coming next. It’s OK to need time to wait for whatever you’re waiting for. Because when it comes, you’ll know. It’s yours.

Right now, I’m excited to launch this new website. And I’m being very selfish about this. It’s a place where I’ll be doing and celebrating what I want to do next. I’ll be posting photos and writing about what is important to me. I’ll be sharing goals that I have. And if any of it is enjoyable or helpful for you, bonus!

I’m starting with three basic sections. The first one is “Taking care of me.” Ten years ago, when I was volunteering, I was in the best shape of my life. Today, not so much. I’ve hit a new decade on the scale. Truthfully, I blew past that first decade and hit the second decade on the scale. What’s with that? I’m going to blame menopause, sitting too much, and crap food. I have no desire to undo menopause (hee hee), but I am planning on undoing some of the sitting and the crap food. Anyone who feels the same is welcome to join in.

Second is “Taking care of my home.” In the last few years, my husband and I have done a lot to upgrade our home. The kids have moved out and started their own lives, so the home is ours to make it what we want to it be for the next twenty years or so. Ironically, it all started when a roofer put his workboot through our bedroom ceiling (more on that later). Then came painting, tiling, carpet, lighting, appliances, solar, and more. Whew! Now, we’re getting close to the end of what we want to change. The last three items to upgrade are the stairs, replace the thirty-year old carpet on the second floor, and do a few minor renovations in the basement. What I’m also looking forward to is the arrival of two brand new, large bookcases for my new-to-me office (formerly my youngest daughter’s bedroom). More on that later!

And finally, Squirrel! Because at this stage of my life, I don’t really know what I want next, and I don’t need to know. While I may plan one thing on a Monday, by Tuesday my husband and I may be pulling our camper trailer to a new experience six hours away and we’re exploring something new.  Squirrel! Or I decide that the garden needs an overhaul and I want to start planting Oyas (you needed to be there 😊). Squirrel! Or I decide to launch a new website. Squirrel! It’s just because I can.

Welcome to Young Women Over Fifty, Sixty, and Beyond! I can’t wait to see where we go next!

Cheers (from a distance),

Cindy

PS: My background is in Engineering. I’ve done web design, product development, branding management, and training. I’ve owned two businesses, and now I work in Criminology. What “official” experience or qualifications do I bring to this website? None. Except that I’m past fifty, now past sixty, and plan on having fun. So remember, you need to check with your own doctors, dentists, financial experts, and people in your life to determine what is right for you. Did I mention I bought myself an inflatable kayak for Christmas? Squirrel!