My new life after academia is beginning slowly. I am first doing some self-care using the occasion of receiving a new Apple Watch as a structure to do so. Capitalizing on my propensity to be competitive with myself I have now met my meditation, exercise and sleep goals for four days in a row. I have also been returning over and over to the blog post, “Headed Out: Destination Unknown”. The one which seemed to resonate for so many of us. Somehow it appears in my dreams and in my imagination as the foundation of a project that will evolve over time.
It seems that there is no good word to describe the feeling we all reported having that signals a change, an evolution or a reinvention that doesn’t sound like a cliche or implies that where we are at in life needs to be dramatically changed. Most reinvention stories I’ve read involve big adventures like taking off and traveling the world, quitting your job and moving across the country and doing something completely new and different from what you were doing before. These tales usually involve a radical transformation and imply you leave everything from the past behind and create something entirely new. You are generally by yourself in these stories.
My circumstances as a child and adult meant there were limited resources with which to execute reinventions. There were people and responsibilities I could not leave behind. To be honest, maybe I just don’t have the courage those other people have, the ones who do the monumental things. So most times the remedy can be what others may consider mundane or unexciting, like going to an obscure part of Brooklyn I’ve never visited before. The clothes I decide to wear on the trip are the catalyst that sparks something new. In them, I find the courage to take risks. It’s through them that the ordinary things I might be doing to make a change become far less ordinary. The world is the same yet somehow different because of them.
I have decided that in order to honor who I am now that the term, “What Nowness?” is a much better descriptor of the state that everyone spoke about in the destination unknown blog post. It implies satisfaction with who we are at our core, that this state is normal and a precursor to a new burst of creative self-expression. It is a state of perpetual openness to whatever may come before you, whenever and however it does.
Many of you were gracious enough to give me some suggestions of large and small ways to get inspired. I have been taking you up on some of them. I feel like I have been in a dark cave of work and now I can feel and see sunlight. I have been taking photos of things that catch my eye, going to more events and connecting with people. Letting myself be curious and open, not driven and directed. I am still in my state of “What Nowness?” and am fine with it. The state of “What Nowness?” is something that transcends social identity and the categories we are put in by society. It’s curiosity and wonder. Those younger because of the speed of technology may have shorter periods of “What Nowness”. They have different tools. But so do we. So I think that the way forward is to collaborate and begin a conversation about the tools that exist, and those we want to create, when we are dreaming and evolving in our times of “What Nowness”. Tools that can help us be the best version of the selves we already are.
When I was regularly doing my Weekend Fashion Bibliography I often linked to a website called NOWNESS. NOWNESS is a movement for creative excellence in storytelling celebrating the extraordinary of every day. So I give it a nod for all the inspiration it gives me including the name for my new state of being, “What Nowness?”
Brilliant! When I had my line, it was called, 10:10… the time is always now… I had a habit of not looking at the clock because I was usually completely immersed and engrossed in “whatever” I was doing. It became a reminder to me that the only time that matters to me, is NOW. Enjoy this!!!
I so resonate, Lynne, with the confusion, excitement and uncertainty of change at this stage in life. I love the captions, Heading out: Destination unknown, as well as What nowness. Thank you for sharing these!
This encouraged me as I read some similar thoughts that I struggle with…..bless you for being transparent, genuine and kind.
Blessings,
Susan
Omigosh – you ARE doing monumental things. You are an example to others. If that’s not monumental, I don’t know what is! On top of that whatnowness, you are an age-defyer, a definer of boldness. Darn it, you’re fierce! But, yeah, smile a little more. Thanks for your inspiration and yes, I wore my frilly Chloe dress to a party last week and felt awesome – at 60. I’ve also worked hard for the past 5 years to develop my law practice and have succeeded – yikes, WHAT NOW!!
People like us overthink
STOP
I am learning myself, as I make healthy changes in my life, to embrace fear a little better, to realize discomfort may lead to a meaningful breakthrough and that change can be earthshatteringly exciting. As an adult child of an alcoholic, control always was tantamount; as I grow, I am finding letting go is a true gift. Shalom, Tracy
I started my “Nowness” by walking a Camino, check it out, you will be forever changed.
It is refreshing to read that great change does not need to involve packing up and leaving everything behind! We can find change and inspiration in new experiences, new people and new ways of being without leaving home. Now is the time to learn woodwork, go to theatre matinees, join an interest group etc. The fun is creating a whole new dress code – woodwork class can be a challenge and I’m still looking for ideas.
This exactly the place I am at in my life
I admire you, when I read your blog I always smile and say to myself I can wear whatever I want
Cause I’m always thinking that the clothes I like are for younger women but u change my mind on that idea.. You are truly an Icon
Glad to meet you
God bless
Beautiful, unusual clothes for all!
I love this concept. My Nowness is being retired and living in the country in Va. It’s a challenge to leave City life and slow down and focus on being productive in this space. A work in progress in a peaceful, no stress atmosphere.
It takes time to feel our way when we no longer are confined by our vocation. After five years of “Nowness” I have settled on my new goal of training my rescued Great Pyrenees, Murphy, to be a therapy dog. It is liberating to know we will go on this journey together. Enjoy your journey!
I too am faced with reinvention. Was “laid off” few weeks ago. Sad, not too shocked as this is how company rolls. Pity. Too many great ideas, so much left to explore and not time to be put out to pasture… Taking time for me. Early morning walks, getting proper amount of sleep, learning to exhale, reintroducing myself to my favorite cookbooks, farmers markets and smiling more.
New chapters to be written.
Dear Icon, I always enjoy reading your posts. Your unique take on life helps me to reflect on my own journey. The topic of what now? resonated with me. For several years I’ve floated between jobs and felt a bit lost. It starts well and I achieve great results, but within 18 months I’m bored and feeling restless. I read about the type of stories you mention or people who decided as a child they had found their calling. Perhaps my calling is not to stick with a particular role, but to be a bit like Mary Poppins and fly in for a short time to make a big difference. Thanks for inspiring this self reflection and insight.
Flying with you Donna.
Same for me. I was a “job hopper” and shamed by others for being that way. I had to! I got so bored with my jobs. I’m well educated and worldly. That’s something great!!! I have finally stopped listening to the negative voices in my life and really embraced me! I now do as I please without the hang ups others have imposed on me. It’s great!
When I retired, I needed a new focus. I hit the gym 5 days a week and hired a personal trainer for 3 of those days. It gave me focus. Find a new goal and pursue it. I sew couture now.
I love What nowness. I am right with you in curiosity as my 45 years in education come to an end.
I’m entering ‘nowness’ also from academia. Not an easy transition—but exciting. I’m so grateful for your posts!!!
You have no idea how much I have missed your posts. I love your persona and the images you create. Your fashion sense is impeccable and bold. I too am in a “nowness” situation in my life. I am making a change in my life and at my age, I don’t have time to think myself out of it. Thank you for coming back.
For over 50 years I was defined by my work. It was who I was. Now that I’m retired I realize that I let it define me, it gave me a lot of pride and status but eventually it began to interfere with me being me! I’m now raising two young grandchildren and my life is full and satisfying. Living life can be tough, reinvention I think helps us cope with that and find peace and happiness!
My own What Nowness started when I was 59 and retired from a high-Level corporate management career. I allowed myself to float doing whatever seemed interesting. I took a month and studied painting in Wisconsin natural environment. This really sparked my interest such that I enrolled in a private Chicago art school studying representational art.Then I went to a week long Yoga teacher training with my daughter and ended owning a yoga studio with my daughter in Chicago. I am now 69 years and still in What Nowness…I love it! BTW, got married 3 years ago to a fantastic man and had my first granddaughter.
Actually, Nowness, is the only place we ever, ever are. Only mind can consider past or future, which don’t exist both anymore and yet. So Nowness offers possibility and potential . . . though over-consider it and it’s past ’cause you’re aware of and thinking of it. For Nowness to be Truth, your actual action will occur before your awareness of it . . . there’s this miniscule little time gap b 4 you’re aware of what just happened. Could be boring. Could be life changing . . . I hope you have a grand time being! Blessings!
Dear Icon: thank you for your Frank and beautifully written thoughts. So often I come to your blog and your words resonate and remind me to be my best self no matter my age or current circumstance. Thanks for feeling like a wise and inspiring friend.
You are such an interesting person! I love how you work things out in your mind and then just do whatever strikes your fancy. I stopped planning things a long time ago. Plans, for me, are almost always interrupted, delayed, or don’t happen at all. But that mindset put me in a place of almost becoming a hermit. So I made a big plan this time and intend to keep it for I have nothing to hold me back.
I’ve made so many wonderful acquaintances on Facebook – spread out all over the country. So I’ve decided to go ahead with my farewell tour to the folks back East. At my age I know I could croak at any moment, so I’m going to take advantage of what’s left of my time. I will visit old friends of 40 to 50 years ago and some of my new friends from Facebook.
A beautiful road trip lies ahead! This country is so diverse, not just in its people but in its landscape. It seems around every curve is a wonderful surprise. And, yes, I’ll be going alone and doing what I want to do instead of what anyone else wants me to do.
Thank you for being a beautiful and colorful person. You’ve inspired me already in the short time I’ve known about you.
So happy you’ve found the nowness! That’s the best space to live…what inspires me NOW, what brings me joy NOW, what do I feel like listening to, reading, writing, wearing, seeing, eating, drinking…music? No music? Being with people? Not being with people? Eating a fast food burger…eating a vegan meal?!! WHATEVER YOU FEEL LIKE DOING OR NOT DOING, WEARING OR NOT WEARING…DO IT AS YOUR INNER VOICE SPEAKS TO YOU!!!
That’s how to keep sane as well as joyfull in yourself. When you are at peace with yourself everything else will
Come round ❤️
lol it’s Tina on the above comment….I don’t have good iPhone fingers 🙂
Superb Writeup jonest and inspiring.
Last year I faced several difficult months – lots of negative self-judgment, loneliness, depression. In spite of that, I kept my plans to go to France for an immersion school and three weeks of traveling alone. Given my state of mind, it was not a great trip. I took my feeling state with me, and it colored many experiences. Yet at some point during that trip, the thought burbled up to explore what my current values are and to examine my life in terms of those. At home, I did that, using an online list and then followed that up with some enlightening exercises with a coach. The top values are health, fun spirituality and learning. Keeping this 74-year-old body and mind healthy takes 10 or so hours a week. I started doing improv theater several hours a week and that is FUN plus gives me many insights about ways to grow. I am taking voice-over classes and who knows where that will go. I go to a local meditation center for occasional workshops and have found some online guided mindful meditations to do. It feels good to have trusted that inner voice that started this growth spurt, which also brings me to trust the life process. I am a semi-retired image consultant and friend and colleague of Brenda Kinsel, whom you met at the convention. I would be honored if you would follow me. You inspire me with your articulate exploration of fashion and your own personal process. Thank you.
Lovely words. Makes so much sense.
You inspire me…I can’t thank you enough for that! Your words and experiences help me so and encourage me. I would really enjoy being stylish too and I enjoy learning to be me.
Thank you xo take care of you!
I love this. `i will share with my daughter who is just graduating in the UK after four years and was about to move to Australia, she met a boy there on a year of study, but was dumped by him when she visited over Easter !! She has no idea where she is going/doing now but this will give her some much needed inspiration – thanks!
Dear Icon
Your blog has inspired me in many ways, I enjoy your reality around recreating the self through fashion, spirituality, emotions, and most of all Nowness! The power of NOW!
Thank you
I have recently signed up to your blogg and enjoy all reflections you have you have on Life and fashion. I think we are in the same age and in the same stage of life. My projects after leaving some 45years of Working in global organizations and in HR is to return to academia as a PhD student and to move to the countryside. I live in Sweden by the way so the countryside is never far away. Best of luck with your new project
I love this! I think most important for all of us is that old saying, “To thine own self, be true.” It is difficult at times because of all the things we learn as part of our society. Some years back, I won a trip from a friend who gives tours to have a week’s trip to anywhere. At first I selected Ireland, but as I began to read details of the trip there, I realized that I was not mentally prepared to take such a trip, and as it turned out, I could not have taken the trip at that time as I had been diagnosed with cancer. I am over it now, but I often think of how it always seems that if my mind and soul is not ready to do something, things will happen so that it doesn’t come to fruition. I am ok with that.
Now I always listen to that little voice inside and I make no apologies about it. It is ok to not want to travel by myself, and it is OK that I don’t want to leave my animals who all are seniors and have special needs with others, no matter how good the care team might be. They would not understand if I left them for a week. Seems like a short time, but they don’t understand time.
The point is that you are doing what is right for you and you have a total right to do what feels good and right to you, and to go where you want to go when you want to go, and if you never go, will the earth fall apart? Your change might be going on a journey in your mind and soul. You are a great writer, and you always write such interesting things. And I know for me, things could change on a future day and I might just pack the beloved creatures and go in a manner that is comfortable for me. I have to tell the truth; I don’t like flying and ships are even worse for me. But RVing to a few places not so far away to start out, and in a vehicle where I could take things that speak comfort to me, and perhaps a portable computer and clothing I feel really good when I wear it, and that will accommodate all my moods – yes, I could do day trips, working into week-long trips, and perhaps having my dear little four-footed friends accompany me would be lovely. There are lots of things I would be interested in seeing right here in my country. I might go further someday when I have seen my fill here. I like the idea that I have my own bed in a place where I can feel somewhat as if I am at home while I am traveling. That would suit me. I am an artist along with other things, so I might want to do art on my journey. That would definitely make me feel comfortable and happy in the compass of my soul.
So it is different for all of us. I will travel when I feel right. And if I don’t end up traveling, it is ok, because I still have so many other things I enjoy doing that don’t requiring traveling. Yes, “What Nowness” is good. It fits well because it is open-ended.
Beautiful honest post, thank you.
I come to your blog every once in a while; it’s a nice mental vacation where I can read about the ideas, of someone quite different than myself. Southern, 50- something African American female; and I am always quite entertained and pleased. I especially enjoyed this recent entry, as it speaks to what I have often thought, reinvention for me has been changing the places we’re I dine just so I am trying something new. Bravo to you. I love your spirit.
I really enjoy reading your Blogs and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Certainly not only food for thought, but pause for thought. I agree when you say peoples idea of taking off and jumping off the cliff s different, and its different for different days depending how we feel
I shall keep reading. You inspire me. Thank you
I love these posts, thank you.
Something about the complete and utter authentic voice of older women. who simply don’t get much air space which resonates with me.
I love that what you wear changes your mood and gives you courage to step out and do something different.
I feel much the same, and love experiementing with a look.
This seemed perfectly acceptable when I was young and now feels increasingly foolish as I look in the mirror to find an old woman dressed in dungarees and a kimono…hmm.
I’m pleased that there is a Tribe of others out there somewhere wondering what to wear to express how we feel and who we are at our core out there.
I wish we had a physical place to meet!
I love that idea.
I do get it. After a lifetime of planned existence it’s so incredibly refreshing to just be and experience and not worry about “a plan”! Although I do have to admit after this last summers trip to the US with out said “plan” I am exhausted from figuring it out as I went. Maybe I just didn’t surrender to the adventure enough! Hmmmm
We only have the present day so what nowness seems perfect to me… another curious soul happy to stumble through life by day dreaming and looking at blue skies above. Change is growth, reinvention sounds slightly to planned for me. I love the fluidity of life like water finding its path. It’s all about the journey never the destination. Keep moving. Slowly if required or on leaps and bounds like a dance.
Lately you are talking my language more and more! I’m in the process of reinvention – have been doing that since my husband passed away a few years ago… I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t influenced by a man: my father, my brothers, boyfriends, two husbands, and so forth. I’m relishing my newfound ‘freedom’ to make my own decisions and not ask anyone’s permission or opinion! It’s liberating!!
The birds in New Jersey this beautiful Saturday sing a finely orchestrated symphony of praise to be alive. The “what nowness” is in the very moments to be praised for being alive, filled with creative intelligence, a body that is supportive of joyful movement. In that space all things are possible because what you have in this life; right now is a conversation that never ends.
Man! This is the answer! I’ve been beating myself up because I know I have to have the courage to face me now that I am fifty plus. I beat myself up because it feels like I need to do something radical and immediate. I ain’t there yet. I can, however, experience nowness.
Hi,
I was invited to a black tie event by a suitor. Instead of wearing signature black, it occurred to me that red was the new black for me. Nervous and excited, I found a simple halter necked, mermaid styled gown in red. As I headed toward the fitting room several black gowns vied for my attention. With breath held, I slowly stepped into the gown, zipped and turned toward the mirror. Much to my surprise, I saw a beautiful, unapologetic version of myself in red! My What Nowness had appeared! Fast forward to red lips ( an historical no no for reasons I can’t even remember) and an evening filled with compliments and flirting. The outfit changed the trajectory of my evening and my awareness of myself; the me I’m becoming at 57. Here’s to Headed Out: Destination Unknown. Thanks for a great post!
Gwendolyn
Love the reality and reasonableness of this article!
Thank You! I work on the brainwashing which took place as a child growing up in Brooklyn, NY. It went into my baggage when I left at 19 in 1967. When a negative thought enters into my head, I must remind myself of who’s thought it is in the first place? Parents, religion, aunts, uncles, cousins, nuns, teachers, etc. Drawing outside the lines is so difficult which leads me to the question of Virgo vs Conformity. It’s a never ending battle, but one begun late in life. Thanks again for your words of wisdom, your exquisite taste and your beauty inside and out!
Georgeann Galante
Dear Accidental Icon,
I agree totally that not everybody can do the big leap, leave everything behind; although now that I am writing this, I remember that I eloped to Turkey in the 1970’s to marry my still husband.
Besides this big leap, I too have made commitments that I don’t want to leave behind. Don’t forget there is also greatness in doing remarkable stuff with the little that you have at hand! BEING CREATIVE with small means! This too takes courage and perseverance as does undertaking a dive in the unknown.
My Icon: it is so good to hear of your Nowness and of moving toward new things!
I have done this in my life and I found that going to my source of INSPIRATION led me into so many new and good experiences.
My inspiration was to walk in nature and “the woods” as I lived close to those places.
I’m sure you find places of inspiration all around you.
I look forward to hearing of your new experiences. Now I enjoy following your story. ❤?
Thank you for keeping us up-to-date on your fashion, your story and your great outlook. ??❤?
Dear Lynn,
What you’ve written here, about embarking on your new state of being (not working as a professor), really resonates with me.
I’ve been retired since July 2016. Taking my time with whatever flights of fancy hit me, has been a mixed bag of elation and shock.
My circadian rhythm had become so solidified, for half a century, that waking up past 6AM, had become the greatest luxury. I had never allowed myself to not be regulated by the clock.
It took about a year, but, now, I do what I want, when I want.
Unfortunately, this has not been the optimum state of health for me, because I’ve become lazy and I’m not honoring the demands placed upon me, by my Apple watch.
I’ve not been logging 10,000 steps per day.
I’ve gained weight and I’ve become really sluggish.
But, of course, I must answer to my own body and change course…I’m trying.
Bottom line? Advice from the peanut gallery here…keep a schedule…log those steps…stay as active as possible and don’t let anything or anyone tell you what to do.
⭐ I have just been reading some of your previous posts. “On the Fence” is a good one for me.
I am reminded in our culture we are trained to judge everything. I felt I should state my opinion, bad or good, right or wrong on all things.
Then I learned I could look at something and say, …oh that’s interesting. I didn’t have to decide immediately if it was good or not good.
Now I am interested in so many things and enjoying the learning.
Found this piece especially close to my current life, I’m about to turn 60 and about to take a big step in my life, I have been a stay at home mom/grandma for over 20+ years… I feel I have many good years still left in me, my 22 year old daughter is my inspiration, she is quite the fashion icon: and is very passionate at whatever she does, she’s pushes me to be more daring and less safe(lol) so without overthinking it I will try to reinvent myself , only thing I am passionate about several things. Your stories and blogs give me inspiration, so I will take a little from both and hope I will be proud of who I become!
you are right on! continued blessings on your newness adventures.
Thank you for this article. You said many things that I have been feeling. I am almost 60; worked and have been responsible all my life as a single mom of 2 for the most part. Responsibilities and people namely my teenager who I’m still raising; keep me from venturing out, traveling and seeing what’s out there. I have limited financial resources which won’t change in retirement so I don’t mind small adventures, they are what we make them. You summed up my feelings so thank you.
Courage, curiosity and endurance unfold life’s possibilities. Personal tragedy opened the once in a lifetime opportunity to finish where I left off 45+ years earlier. Some called it reinvention, but my truth is finishing what I started. I continue to stand tall, breath on my own, and contribute to this life. The unknown future, because I did not plan well, still looks bright and my story is being told. My hidden strengths provide what I need to challenge myself everyday. I am funny, caring, extremely energetic, and at almost 70, I’m still vital. We are all vital. I encourage you to avoid media suggesting our age, the number, suggests anything less. The joke is on them, we are not old, we just hit a number.
Be full of grace, generous, and share your story. The Story, your story, my story, is the truth we tell ourselves and worthy of sharing.
The more I read your blogs , the more I realize, fashion and wearing is just the surface, the most precious thing about u and your blog is the thought behind, the openness originality realness distinguish accidentalicon from other fashion talks. After all fashion is about people, not the style or fabric.
so KEEP FINDING AND SHARING, TKS.
I want to know which part of Brooklyn you visited. I find my clothes give me the courage to face newness, which is perhaps related to what nowness I tune into among the many competitors for time and attention.
I just love reading your posts. I always learn something new about my own essence and feel inspired to follow my intuition. And to give myself permission to be creative and have FUN! Enjoying and embracing my retirement has been a wild ride!
Hello, Icon, you express the Zeitgeist so beautifully! I, too, am transforming, and thank you for being the flashpoint for all these wonderful comments from your/our community!
Continue to share your ideas, your thoughts and feeling, insecurities and realities. All of it. Because we are ALL going through something somewhere trying to mire through the muck of it to swim through to clear waters. I can very much identify with you and the ‘reinvention’ of oneself. After decades in the TV industry, I feel like the past decade had been nothing but reinvention. A constant moving target. I, too, have thought long and hard about those who quit their jobs, sell their belongings, pack one suitcase and off they go. I have too many loved ones that I just don’t want to leave behind. I admire their sense of adventure, but adventure doesn’t always have to be HUGE. The beauty of this life and this vast universe is that we can each define what works for us, and follow what brings joy. So continue your adventure no matter what the size or destination. Also, you mentioned that you have been taking photos of things that catch your eye. It would be great if you shared some of those images. You never know what shared joy you can bring.
SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS!
SELF CARE BEING NUMBER ONE!
THE FACT THAT YOU REALIZE YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND MEET PEOPLE IS ANOTHER POSITIVE THING!SO, you are on the RIGHT TRACK!
GO SLOW. SLOW DOWN……….enjoy the DAY MORE.
MAYBE WRITE MORE BLOGS?FIND PEOPLE TO INTERVIEW!
BUT NEVER EVER CHANGE!
XX
antiquegoddess
I love your blog and are so intrigued by your style and I am really happy to meet another person who finds dressing up a way of life and whose clothes and style is directly linked to who you choose to be.
And I enjoy your elegant use of words and your descriptions of your many journeys.
please keep sharing your wonderful life and thoughts with us.
I have been trying to find a moment to even read this post for the past week, but finally did just now. I am literally in the throes of my final week of work (and simultaneously preparing for the next life chapter), leaving a school I was at the center of founding in the early 90’s. My role there has changed over the years from kindergarten teacher, to grades 1-8 class teacher, to pedagogical director. . .I do have an immediate adventure planned–my husband and I will leave Sunday to spend the summer in Oregon, where our first (and maybe only?) grandchild will be born any minute now. This is a very emotional time for me–so much change!
And this morning, I am thinking of how 14 years ago today I nearly died; a fibroid tumor caused me to hemorrhage severely, and an emergency hysterectomy saved my life. At the time, I had taken a break from working at my school. I wasn’t really happy where I was working at the time, and in the end, my near-death experience propelled me back to the school, as I asked the universe “what now?” It was so right to go back. . . and now this chapter comes to a close.
Now it is right to retire, and to be open to brand new experiences. I have my own creative projects that are waiting to unfold, besides becoming a grandmother! I am going to keep this “What Nowness” as my watchwords, for the foreseeable future.
Best of luck to you, Lyn, and all your readers, as we journey on. Thank you so much for creating this space to ponder all this.
I had to retire earlier than I wanted to because of health issues related to stress. We had poor leadership that caused this stress. Of course I pondered the “what now” question. I decided that my goal would be to add joy and beauty to the world each day and go wherever life took me. I sing, volunteer at church and have wonderful friends. I think about going back to work, once in a while, but it would have to be something fun and not stress producing. I am one who does not like to fly or travel by boat. My husband would like to travel more, but fortunately, he understands me, and he does not want to travel without me. None of us should feel less than because we don’t like to travel.
What a lovely article! I think most important changes are often subtle ones. Leaving everything and starting over might sound tempting but then how do we know it is us who has changed and not the circumstances around us? It takes much more courage to drastically change ourselves without making drastic decisions…that’s what I think anyway. Love your style.
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
Discovered you. May I travel with you a while? Thank you for your voice. It has come, I believe, at a time when I need to learn the art of listening and feeling engaged in life.
Thank you.
8 years ago I took a giant leap across The Pacific to teach in Tokyo. It was a much needed change after becoming widowed at age 49. Now I am wondering when to leapfrog back to the US since my grand babies need some rock-a-bying and I need those sweet dimpled hands grasping onto my finger for dearness sake.
So, ‘what nowness’ may just be the mantra I need to follow the stars back to where my heart can be full again.
Dear icon.
The last couple of years I have been living at the berge. I turned 50, and I started to feel the aging process accelerating. I also find myself stuck in a job which I cannot leave because of benefits and all that having a stable job a my age implies. I see possibilities everywhere. Some of me doing things that are more fulfilling but it’s just there in my mind. I see it so real and easy but I have a hard time moving forward. Please share a technique of how to start something how to motivate myself.
Hi Lyn, I enjoyed reading your blog What Nowness? Some of your comments I can really relate to. My journey though is to have more tranquility in my life both around me and within me. I am changing things about me; my looks, my wardrobe. Recently I quit my job, for 5.5 years I worked for a major retailer but, I was bored. Now, I am looking for a new job, career, journey and I feel pretty good about it.
I love it! I have reinvented myself a few times along life’s journey! Back in 1990 when I got my Masters Degree, I thought one’s career and the proper dress was the business suit, however I learned from my mother how to pull together color, accessorize, layer clothing and have fun with it! In addition I get color combinations from movies of the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s like Doris Day, Mary Tyler Moore, and Bob Mackie designs I see online. I copy ideas from magazines I get in the mail. I may be close to retirement in a few years, but I may post pone that, I still have something to share, do, and contribute! And my fashion sense is very put together but fun! Professional yet fun! Yes as I get close to 60 , I still love having fun! That is my nowness! And I am mindful of self care, and honor where I am in my energy! If I don’t have energy for me, I won’t have energy for anybody else!
So, I take time and charge my batteries! And it is important to grow and learn and know when you have outgrown your job to find another! It is all part of the process! I like reading Lynn’s post since it inspires me as I continue my journey learning and growing! And knowing what is right for me!
You and your post are simple out of the world. Here i am late to comment, but believe me at this time you are rocking many people. I have been inspired from you.
Great follow up – especially the 2nd to last paragraph. Several of my friends and I are at that exact place. No modern generation has lived as long and as healthy as ours, so we are pioneers. No right, no wrong. Just what works for each. Thanks for your thoughts.
I absolutely love your comment. We are pioneers because the narratives relevant to age are not always a good fit for our generation. How fun we are creating new stories.