What stands out here is how openly this rejects the idea that life has an expiration date on reinvention.
“The life I actually built looked nothing like the one I planned” is probably the real lesson younger women need to hear that meaning often arrives after the timeline you originally imagined for yourself.
Hi. I’m Savitree. I’m 57 years old turning 58 in August. Can’t wait for my 60s and 70s. My life is much less narrow than it was in my teens and 20s when my future was “filled with possibilities.” — where you finish university, become a doctor or accountant, get married, and have children. Write thank you notes for everything (because saying thank you orally and in the moment isn’t enough), take the annual professional photographs of family, spend $1000 on a birthday party for a five year old, and live in the right zip code with the right car. That was my life anyway. That ended fast when it all fell apart and I said “fuck it” and rebuilt my life the way I wanted it. My dad disapproved. It hasn’t been a bed of roses (to be expected), but it’s been fantastic. Because I own my life. And what I have today were genuine yeses to the experience. Each decade has gifted me more sovereignty, and I get to keep recreating myself through my evolution. Without permission.
Thanks for sharing Savitree! Let me share one thing. Whenever I said something like “I wish Christmas would come.” As a child, my dad would say, “Don’t wish your life away.” Of course we can look forward but don’t forget every moment before we get there.
Delightful article. At 77, I have learned that life is what we make of it... and it's ours to make! First novel two months ago. Downsizing for comfort, not to impress. I try to eat healthy, but after a day of house hunting, I had popcorn and wine for dinner. Life is good.
I’m sure it was the norm and somehow it’s been lost.
Having said that I do remember looking at my darling late Mum and being full on incredulous that she could possibly understand anything I was going through. Mx
You are right about “the plan” and the expectations we have for ourselves not quite fitting what comes. You have reinforced my view that we experience serial lives. We put things together like a “Chinese Menu” taking bits and pieces like one from column B two from C and so on. I have come to believe that we (the Sisterhood) can be all things…just not all at the same time! Like the chapters in your novel, we can build up, leave behind and reach new plateaus from which to create and define our next life!
Amen sister! Thank you for putting these thoughts to “paper” beautifully. I’m 55 and I feel what you are saying! I find myself wanting to cheer on every young woman and young mom on here. I never had the energy or headspace to truly start my writing while in my 33-year “corporate era” - not for not trying- but for the last decade I knew I wanted more and I made a plan to get here!
You hit on two important points (in my mind). Creativity and Consistency. The first won’t succeed without the other!! And you are so welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
I'd tell her that the life that looks completely successful from the outside can still be the wrong life. And that the moment you finally stop building for everyone else's approval is not the ending — it's the first honest beginning.
I started writing publicly two months ago at 54. I didn't plan it. But I think I needed someone older to show me it was possible. That's exactly what you just did.
This is good to hear. I think it’s really important to feel fine about announcing our age, in order to break down the attitudes that our society has to those who are older. Each time one of us creates/inspires/does something that makes a younger person stop in their tracks, that’s good. It gets them to question their assumptions.
Yes - their assumptions and often the fact that they’re not considering aging. Like it’s not going to happen to them. Appreciate your constant support Jane!
Best morning coffee read I had this morning, and I'm with you! I published my first novel last year at 70. Getting ready to publish my second one this month.
Thank you, Marylee. I'm a newbie here trying to decide if I should ditch my Mailchimp for Substack. Perhaps it's time to get off my duff and fill up my profile here. 😊
Sorry Jan! I just saw your reply. I brought my garden subscribers to Substack from MailerLite and haven’t regretted it. As long as you don’t need automations, it’s fine to save the money.
Your comments about older women in Substack not hiding their age is spot on, Marylee. Congrats on publishing your first novel at 73! I'm an older woman and still going strong. Traveling with as much energy and enthusiasm as I had when I first started foreign travel in my 20s. I have no intention of slowing down. I started my Substack journey 8 month ago at age 77, with the rationale that I probably have enough life experience to possibly inspire others to get out of the house and see some of the world. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for posting your comment Elaine. I see you subscribe to my pub. 🙏 With 900 subscribers, it’s hard to see everyone, so when someone makes a comment and tells me more about themselves, I so appreciate it! I think you have more energy than me! We do a lot but often I don’t feel so energetic about it. 😄
I’m still in the younger crowd (nearing 58) and still very much part of the work-a-day crowd—albeit, from home, which is ah-mazing!! I feel so fortunate to have found you and a few others here on Substack who are 70+ and still creating and living life to the fullest. I so appreciate that inspiration. And now that we’ve finally stayed in one place for 2.5 years and I feel that I can safely start putting down roots, I find myself venturing out and starting to create a community of women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. I love being around these older women and witnessing their vitality and soaking in their wisdom. It’s such a privilege. ❤️
Roots are a good thing! I have worked from home since I sold my business at 60. And while in business, I was the boss and I had nice vacation times.
As far as being 58, Riley is 58! So you have a friend there.
It’s interesting that you’re meeting women 60+. My best friend on the golf course is 86 and there are many others in their 80s. They are my inspiration!!
Yay, Riley!! 😊 I participated in a journaling workshop last week and found out later that the gal who facilitated it is 77. I never would have guessed! I was just exchanging messages with her and told her what an inspiration she is to me. My biggest hope is to live my life in such a way that I can be that for someone in the next generation.
This is fantastic! Personally, I feel like my new life began at 50. I am now 54.
What stands out here is how openly this rejects the idea that life has an expiration date on reinvention.
“The life I actually built looked nothing like the one I planned” is probably the real lesson younger women need to hear that meaning often arrives after the timeline you originally imagined for yourself.
Hi. I’m Savitree. I’m 57 years old turning 58 in August. Can’t wait for my 60s and 70s. My life is much less narrow than it was in my teens and 20s when my future was “filled with possibilities.” — where you finish university, become a doctor or accountant, get married, and have children. Write thank you notes for everything (because saying thank you orally and in the moment isn’t enough), take the annual professional photographs of family, spend $1000 on a birthday party for a five year old, and live in the right zip code with the right car. That was my life anyway. That ended fast when it all fell apart and I said “fuck it” and rebuilt my life the way I wanted it. My dad disapproved. It hasn’t been a bed of roses (to be expected), but it’s been fantastic. Because I own my life. And what I have today were genuine yeses to the experience. Each decade has gifted me more sovereignty, and I get to keep recreating myself through my evolution. Without permission.
That’s a great way to look at it!
And remember - you’re the same age as Riley!
Thanks for sharing Savitree! Let me share one thing. Whenever I said something like “I wish Christmas would come.” As a child, my dad would say, “Don’t wish your life away.” Of course we can look forward but don’t forget every moment before we get there.
I do believe you are good at that. 😉
Yet another thing to be grateful for. Remember when Christmas took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to come?? Now: everything comes in exactly the right time.
Delightful article. At 77, I have learned that life is what we make of it... and it's ours to make! First novel two months ago. Downsizing for comfort, not to impress. I try to eat healthy, but after a day of house hunting, I had popcorn and wine for dinner. Life is good.
Thank you! Congrats on your novel. Keep us posted on your progress of making the banned book list. And I’m with you on popcorn for dinner!!
I’m 61 and a fresher on Substack!
I have so many friends in their 70’s and 80’s who are extraordinary women.
They influence me and I hope in turn, I can help encourage a younger generation or two!
That would be so rewarding.
I’m hearing more and more people wanting to encourage younger generations with our life wisdom. Maybe this is one thing the internet has done for us.
That would be so…rewarding.
I’m sure it was the norm and somehow it’s been lost.
Having said that I do remember looking at my darling late Mum and being full on incredulous that she could possibly understand anything I was going through. Mx
You are right about “the plan” and the expectations we have for ourselves not quite fitting what comes. You have reinforced my view that we experience serial lives. We put things together like a “Chinese Menu” taking bits and pieces like one from column B two from C and so on. I have come to believe that we (the Sisterhood) can be all things…just not all at the same time! Like the chapters in your novel, we can build up, leave behind and reach new plateaus from which to create and define our next life!
Well put Montie. Does that mean we should have Chinese food for dinner?
But seriously, you always have something to add to our posts and a wonderful way of expressing yourself and my thoughts.
Amen sister! Thank you for putting these thoughts to “paper” beautifully. I’m 55 and I feel what you are saying! I find myself wanting to cheer on every young woman and young mom on here. I never had the energy or headspace to truly start my writing while in my 33-year “corporate era” - not for not trying- but for the last decade I knew I wanted more and I made a plan to get here!
And you’re well on your way Maria! Kudos to you for cheering on younger women. We can definitely show them the way!
I’m 61 and continue to reimagine my life… creativity is key, but consistency is where the proof comes in. Thanks for your inspiration!
You hit on two important points (in my mind). Creativity and Consistency. The first won’t succeed without the other!! And you are so welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Thank you!
I'd tell her that the life that looks completely successful from the outside can still be the wrong life. And that the moment you finally stop building for everyone else's approval is not the ending — it's the first honest beginning.
I started writing publicly two months ago at 54. I didn't plan it. But I think I needed someone older to show me it was possible. That's exactly what you just did.
Ok - you brought tears to my eyes. All I can say is, thank you. And I’m glad you decided to let your voice shine.
That means more than you know. Thank you for being someone worth finding.
This is good to hear. I think it’s really important to feel fine about announcing our age, in order to break down the attitudes that our society has to those who are older. Each time one of us creates/inspires/does something that makes a younger person stop in their tracks, that’s good. It gets them to question their assumptions.
Yes - their assumptions and often the fact that they’re not considering aging. Like it’s not going to happen to them. Appreciate your constant support Jane!
Best morning coffee read I had this morning, and I'm with you! I published my first novel last year at 70. Getting ready to publish my second one this month.
Well that’s a high compliment Jan! Congrats on your books!! Where are they? I don’t see them in your profile here.
Thank you, Marylee. I'm a newbie here trying to decide if I should ditch my Mailchimp for Substack. Perhaps it's time to get off my duff and fill up my profile here. 😊
Sorry Jan! I just saw your reply. I brought my garden subscribers to Substack from MailerLite and haven’t regretted it. As long as you don’t need automations, it’s fine to save the money.
Your comments about older women in Substack not hiding their age is spot on, Marylee. Congrats on publishing your first novel at 73! I'm an older woman and still going strong. Traveling with as much energy and enthusiasm as I had when I first started foreign travel in my 20s. I have no intention of slowing down. I started my Substack journey 8 month ago at age 77, with the rationale that I probably have enough life experience to possibly inspire others to get out of the house and see some of the world. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for posting your comment Elaine. I see you subscribe to my pub. 🙏 With 900 subscribers, it’s hard to see everyone, so when someone makes a comment and tells me more about themselves, I so appreciate it! I think you have more energy than me! We do a lot but often I don’t feel so energetic about it. 😄
Thanks for showing up today.
I’m still in the younger crowd (nearing 58) and still very much part of the work-a-day crowd—albeit, from home, which is ah-mazing!! I feel so fortunate to have found you and a few others here on Substack who are 70+ and still creating and living life to the fullest. I so appreciate that inspiration. And now that we’ve finally stayed in one place for 2.5 years and I feel that I can safely start putting down roots, I find myself venturing out and starting to create a community of women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. I love being around these older women and witnessing their vitality and soaking in their wisdom. It’s such a privilege. ❤️
Roots are a good thing! I have worked from home since I sold my business at 60. And while in business, I was the boss and I had nice vacation times.
As far as being 58, Riley is 58! So you have a friend there.
It’s interesting that you’re meeting women 60+. My best friend on the golf course is 86 and there are many others in their 80s. They are my inspiration!!
Life is amazing.
Yay, Riley!! 😊 I participated in a journaling workshop last week and found out later that the gal who facilitated it is 77. I never would have guessed! I was just exchanging messages with her and told her what an inspiration she is to me. My biggest hope is to live my life in such a way that I can be that for someone in the next generation.
I have no doubt that you will, Marni.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Ok Tam. Tell me what you really think 🤔😂