I turned sixty in January.

Yes, the big 6-0! Having lived through the turn of five other decades I knew this was a big deal, but somehow this one felt different.  For the first time I felt it was totally about me and the opportunity to define my life the way I wanted it to be.

It was also a little bit scary.

What if, as I looked to the next ten years, I realized I really didn’t know myself as well as I thought I did? We define ourselves so much through the eyes of others, our children, our co-workers even our parents, what happens when we take a deep dive inside and don’t like what we find?!

Okay, it really isn’t going to be that deep but I do look at this golden moment of turning 60 as my chance to shed the parts of my life that are not true to who I want to be and embrace those that make me who I am, while looking for things to enhance my life to bring me closer to my true self.

And I want you to come along with me on this journey.

I will share with you my insights and do the heavy lifting of researching experts and products and you can provide me your feedback so together we can live our best lives after 60.

The interesting thing about turning sixty is you look around and unlike other defined phases of our lives we all seem to be approaching it from different angles.  When we turned twenty most of us were starting our careers or our families or both; thirties we were totally entrenched in being the best at all the roles we had taken on; forties seemed to be more of the same only hyped up on caffeine as we found ourselves trying to juggle more and more-aspiring for things and experiences; fifties we were coming to grips with quickly changing roles, kids were moving out (hopefully), possibly getting married and having children and for the most part we were settled into our careers; which brings us to now.

At sixty, some of us are still contently working towards retirement; some of us are looking for our next hurrah to finish out our days of employment; some of us have no plans to ever stop working; some of us have children in school or getting married or living at home and some of us are fully retired empty nesters. Some of us are still in long term relationships, some of us are single whether by choice or circumstance and some of us are starting new relationships.

I always think it is funny when people say things like 60 is the new 40, yet the stereotypes of what a woman over 60 looks like, acts like and is capable of still exist.

I tend to believe that 60 is the new 60. We have lived for 60 years and should be proud of that fact.  Our goals, perspectives and things that bring us joy are different now than at 40. It has been a journey – a grand adventure that has brought us to this moment in time.  Only we can define how the next chapter will read. For me, I want it to be an adventure comedy – is there such a genre?  (think City Slickers).

I hope you will stay with me through this next chapter.  We will explore many topics including:

• • Becoming a grandmother for the first time at 60
  • Going gray – is it right for me?
  • Losing your life partner
  • And of course, all of the fun topics on eating healthy, exercise, routines, etc.

This blog is the first step in being true to myself.  In my younger days before life took over and other choices were made, I wanted to be a magazine editor.  Thanks to all of the advancements in communication and connection that have happened over the past 60 years, I am giving wings to that dream.  I am passionate about eating healthy and finding the right exercise I will actually do. I collect recipes, many of which never see the kitchen counter after I have ripped it from some magazine. I am always quick to try the newest skin care product or makeup and I am still trying to define my ‘style’ even after years (starting when I was young according to my mother) of trying on a multitude of outfits, the outcasts ending up on the bedroom floor, before settling on one I feel will accurately reflect who I am for the day.

I want to share with you the card I received from my children on my 60th birthday.  It has been proudly displayed on my counter for the past three months.  “Happy 60th birthday to the most phenomenal mother out there.  You are the glue that holds our family together. We feel so lucky to have you as our role model.”

At 60, I realize being a role model to my children means living my best life and bringing them along for the ride.

And that realization made me smile!