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Retirement reinvented: how to find fulfilment later in life

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tania-wiseman-1183187">Tania Wiseman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swansea-university-2638">Swansea University</a></em></p> <p>Retirement can feel like a strange time for many people. Gone is the routine of work, your time is your own – in theory. How to stop chores from taking over can become a tricky balance. Some people retreat and return to work. Often, those that persevere find they are as busy as ever – but not always with the fun leisurely activities they were looking forward to.</p> <p>It’s strange that this is so often the case because retirement is something many of us look forward to for most of our working lives. Indeed, it’s the one time in life when you can really devote yourself to hobbies and interests, leisure and pleasure.<br />This uncertain picture means that approaching retirement can be a time of fear – <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkudla/2020/03/13/6-ways-to-ease-your-retirement-anxiety/">retirement anxiety</a> is a real thing. So too are the <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/retirement-stress-taking-it-too-easy-can-be-bad-for-you">retirement blues</a>.</p> <p>When you add in potential health concerns and financial worries, it’s maybe not surprising that a recent survey found that more than half of <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/money/more-than-half-of-over40s-feel-anxious-about-retiring-survey-suggests-b2146484.html">over-40s feel anxious about retiring</a>.</p> <p>One retirement challenge is how to replace the <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ger-2020-0109/html#:%7E:text=We%20find%20that%20retirement%20changes,effect%20on%20the%20network's%20size.">friendships</a> you make through work. Indeed, it seems the people who fare best in retirement find ways to cultivate connections.</p> <p>The longest-running <a href="https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/">study on human happiness</a> found the thing that makes us most happy in life is our relationships and positive social connections – they also help us to live longer too. Indeed, this 85-year-old Harvard study shows that maintaining quality relationships has a huge benefit for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.</p> <p>Similarly, the charity The Centre for Better Ageing has found that <a href="https://ageing-better.org.uk/resources/later-life-2015-executive-summary">social connections</a> are just as important as money and health to a good later life.</p> <h2>Beyond routine</h2> <p>When it comes to retirement anxiety, <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-71672-1_2">my research</a> with retirees shows that most people who have been retired for several years learn to manage their concerns and develop <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-71672-1_5">satisfying and interesting lives</a>.</p> <p>As with a lot of us, most of their time was taken up with home-based chores, self-care, looking after friends and relatives and serving the community – along with working really hard to keep fit, so as to “age well”.</p> <p>But my research also found that negative notions of ageing can <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-71672-1">become internalised</a> and prevent people from having fun and making new connections.</p> <p>In my study, people said they were conscious that others might judge the <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/bfm:978-3-030-71672-1/1?pdf=chapter%20toc">suitability of their leisure choices</a>. While some rebels could only really enjoy a pastime if they knew their children would disapprove (think daytime drinking, gambling, watching TV, cycling on busy roads in a rainstorm and flirting with strangers), most were limited in their leisure choices by this concern.</p> <p>Several did not have any pastimes they enjoyed. <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-71672-1_6">Those who found a balance</a> had rich and varied leisure lives, but they preferred people from their own age group and a similar background, where they were less likely to be told how amazing they are, for their age.</p> <h2>From anxiety to adventure</h2> <p>While mixing with people from similar backgrounds and age groups can feel safe and comfortable. It can also mean you miss out on new and interesting experiences or having your worldviews challenged or expanded by spending time with different people</p> <p>Retirement is the ideal opportunity to mix things up and gently expand your leisure repertoire. It’s a time to embrace the convivial in the presence of others, not just the usual people you see.</p> <p>If you are happy with your leisure life, great. But if there is a little something missing, a little fun that could enhance it, consider adding in something new. Think outside the box of what’s “<a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-71672-1_5">suitable for your age group</a>”, (what does that even mean?). Indeed, age should not be a barrier to anything, age discrimination is illegal. So if you’re interested then it’s suitable.</p> <p>If you have limited resources learn a language with <a href="https://www.duolingo.com/">Duolingo</a> in five minutes a day. Then when you’re ready, find a language conversation group and join them for a social event.</p> <p>Learn a song, you can do it yourself using YouTube tutorials. If you enjoy that, you could join a community choir, or drag your friends and family to a karaoke night. You could even pick up an instrument and see how it feels to add percussion. Alternatively, perfect a dance at home and if you like it try a dance class – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe4xqYSoiUo">pole dancing</a> has become very popular.</p> <p>If you have a bit more time to spare, explore taking an interest to the next level. There are local groups for many activities, including rowing, climbing, circus skills, martial arts and horse riding – what takes your fancy?</p> <p>Not an “organised group” person? Try Frisbee, a boomerang, kite flying, bike rides, skateboarding or roller skating. You don’t have to be with people, just being around them is interesting.</p> <p>For more sedate options consider a cinema club, jazz club, poetry group, or start a quiz team. If you like the TV show <a href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-pottery-throw-down">The Great Pottery Throw Down</a> join a ceramic studio and unlock your inner creativity. If you have a free afternoon or evening, look at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/">Eventbright</a> and try something random, because we don’t really know what we love until we find it.</p> <p>Nothing has to be a lifelong commitment. If you like it, carry on, if not, then move on to something else. Anything you try will make a good story to tell the younger people in your life – they need to know that later life is an adventure worth working towards.</p> <p>So defy expectations, knock down those mental barriers and try something different. Start today and see where it takes you.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/201358/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tania-wiseman-1183187">Tania Wiseman</a>, Associate Professor, Head of Therapies , Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swansea-university-2638">Swansea University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/retirement-reinvented-how-to-find-fulfilment-later-in-life-201358">original article</a>.</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Is the Barbie movie a bold step to reinvent and fix past wrongs or a clever ploy to tap a new market?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>After a months-long marketing blitz, the much-hyped Barbie movie is released this week.</p> <p>From a <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/barbies-malibu-dreamhouse-is-back-on-airbnb-but-this-time-kens-hosting/">Malibu Barbie dreamhouse</a> listed on AirBnB, an AI tool that <a href="https://www.barbieselfie.ai/au/">transforms selfies into Barbie movie posters</a> and multiple Barbie-themed brand collaborations ranging from nail polish to roller skates, Barbie is everywhere.</p> <p>She has even gone viral as a fashion trend known as <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/fashion/barbiecore-27286">Barbiecore</a>, exploding across social media with people embracing vibrant pink hues and hyper feminine aesthetics. A Barbie world is upon us.</p> <p>Although some have criticised this <a href="https://twitter.com/MosheIsaacian/status/1673415496929267712">saturation</a> strategy, it is a very deliberate marketing ploy to revitalise and redefine a brand with a contested position and history.</p> <p>As well as attracting adults who grew up with Barbie and are curious to see what’s changed, the reinvention is drawing in those younger fans swept up by the tsunami of marketing and merchandise.</p> <p>Despite being one of the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/brandspark-most-trusted-brands-america-2022">most trusted brands</a> with a value of approximately <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1009126/barbie-brand-value-worldwide/">$US700 million</a>, Barbie has long attracted feminist criticism for fuelling outdated and problematic “plastic fantastic” sexist stereotypes and expectations.</p> <h2>The Barbie backlash</h2> <p>Only a few years back, Barbie was a brand in crisis. <a href="https://time.com/3667580/mattel-barbie-earnings-plus-size-body-image/">Sales plummeted</a> across 2011 to 2015 against the cultural backdrop of a rise in body positivity and backlash against a doll that represented narrow ideals and an impossible beauty standard.</p> <p>After all, at life-size Barbie represents a body shape held by <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01544300#page-1">less than 1 in 100,000</a> real people. In fact, she is so <a href="https://rehabs.com/explore/dying-to-be-barbie/#.UWs-5aKyB8F">anatomically impossible</a> that, if she were real, she would be unable to lift her head, store a full liver or intestines, or <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/305/6868/1575">menstruate</a>.</p> <p>The backlash has also been in response to growing concerns about how she influences child development, particularly how and what children learn about gender. Barbie has been identified as a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144521000243#!">risk factor</a> for thin-ideal internalisation and body dissatisfaction for young girls, encouraging <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S174014451630208X">motivation for a thinner shape</a> that damages body image and self esteem.</p> <p>And despite the multiple careers Barbie has held over the decades, research highlights that girls who play with Barbie believe they have <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-014-0347-y">fewer career options than boys</a>. This speaks to the power of toys to reinforce gender stereotypes, roles and expectations, and how Barbie has imported narrow ideals of femininity, girlhood and womanhood into young girls’ lives.</p> <h2>Reinventing a long-established icon</h2> <p>In response to this backlash, Mattel launched a new range of Barbies in 2016 that were promoted as <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/collections/fashion-dolls#filter.ss_filter_tags_subtype=Fashionistas">diverse</a>, representing different body shapes, sizes, hair types and skin tones. This was not without criticism, with “curvy” Barbie still considered thin and dolls named in ways that drew attention foremost to their bodies.</p> <p>From a white, well-dressed, middle-class, girl-next-door with friends of a similar ilk, Barbie has since been marketed as a symbol of diversity and inclusion. To signify the extent of the transformation, Mattel’s executives gave this project the code name “Project Dawn”.</p> <p>Mattel - like many other brands joining the <a href="https://theconversation.com/victorias-secret-joins-the-inclusive-revolution-finally-realizing-diversity-sells-163955">“inclusivity revolution”</a> - knew that diversity sells, and they needed to make their brand relevant for contemporary consumers.</p> <p>Diversity initiatives included a line of <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/pages/barbie-role-models">female role model dolls</a>, promoted as “introducing girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything”.</p> <p>Barbie was also given a voice in the form of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BsRl9zFaeSKIL4XD-pdGHGbJRvkfe8S">Barbie Vlogs</a>, where she expressed her views on issues including depression and the <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/barbies-vlog-about-the-sorry-reflex-is-the-feminist-pep-talk-all-90s-babies-need-to-hear-9852366">sorry reflex</a>. A gender neutral collection called “creatable world” was added in 2019 to open up gender expression possibilities when playing with Barbies.</p> <p>Such efforts were crucial to undoing missteps of the past, such as a “Teen Talk Barbie” that was programmed to say “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSL2-rbE9AM">Math class is tough!</a>”, or the compulsory heterosexuality that Barbie has long advanced.</p> <h2>The latest step in Barbie’s transformation</h2> <p>Barbie the film is simply the next step in an evolution to make brand Barbie inclusive. And with a rumoured film budget of $100 million, the supporting marketing machine provides a critical opportunity to reset the Barbie narrative.</p> <p>With Greta Gerwig, acclaimed director of female-led stories such as Little Women and Lady Bird at the helm, and a diverse cast of Barbies of different races, body types, gender identities and sexual preferences, the film and its creators have sought to assure audiences of the film’s feminist leanings.</p> <p>Addressing the complicated history of Barbie is crucial for audiences who grew up and played with the doll and are grappling with introducing her to the next generation of doll consumers.</p> <p>Yet, Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films, has explicitly stated that Gerwig’s Barbie is “not a feminist movie”. Indeed, the main character still represents a narrow beauty standard - tall, thin, blonde, white - with diverse characters in place to support her narrative.</p> <p>Which begs the question: are these inclusion initiatives simply emblematic of diversity washing, where the language and symbolism of social justice are hijacked for corporate profit? Or do they represent a genuine effort to redress the chequered history of a brand that promotes poor body image, unrealistic ideals and rampant materialism?</p> <p>What is clear is that in today’s climate where brands are increasingly rewarded for taking a stand on sociopolitical issues, brand Barbie’s attempts to reposition as inclusive have paid off: sales are now booming.</p> <p>Seemingly, Barbie’s famous tagline that “anything is possible” has shown itself to be true.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/209394/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, Associate Professor in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-barbie-movie-a-bold-step-to-reinvent-and-fix-past-wrongs-or-a-clever-ploy-to-tap-a-new-market-209394">original article</a>.</em></p>

Movies

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Reinventing yourself in midlife

<p>Midlife can be an exciting time for women. It's a period of change and growth, a time to reflect on your past and explore new possibilities for your future. For many women, the empty nest and retirement can also be an opportunity to explore new interests and passions, and while change can be challenging, it's also an opportunity to discover new passions, make new friends, and create a life that truly reflects your values and priorities.</p> <p>In my role at Connected Women, I have come to believe that social connections can play a vital role in this process of reinvention. By connecting with like-minded women, you can find support, inspiration, and encouragement as you explore new interests and navigate this new phase of life.</p> <p>So why is midlife the perfect time for reinvention? There are a few reasons.</p> <p><strong>You have more time</strong></p> <p>With retirement on the horizon and the kids out of the house – or at least able to get themselves from A to B without #mumtaxi, you hopefully have a little more time to pursue your interests and passions. Whether it's learning a new skill, taking up a hobby, or travelling to a new destination, you can create a life that truly reflects your values and priorities.</p> <p><strong>You have more experience</strong></p> <p>With years of experience under your belt, you have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to draw from. With age comes the wisdom to know what you're good at, what you enjoy, and what you want to avoid. Use this knowledge to make more informed decisions about your future and your goals.</p> <p><strong>You have more perspective</strong></p> <p>As you get older, you begin to see the bigger picture. You understand the importance of relationships, of pursuing your passions, and of making the most of every moment. And with this perspective, you can approach life with a greater sense of purpose and intention.</p> <p>While midlife can be a time of change and uncertainty, it's also an opportunity to redefine yourself and your priorities. Here are some tips to help you embrace this new chapter of your life:</p> <p><strong>Take time to reflect</strong></p> <p>Spend some time thinking about what you want your future to look like. What are your passions? What are your values? What are your goals?</p> <p><strong>Try something new</strong></p> <p>Whether it's a new hobby or a new career, don't be afraid to try something new. You never know what you might discover about yourself.</p> <p><strong>Stay active</strong></p> <p>Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it's also good for your mental health. Staying active can help you feel more energised and motivated.</p> <p><strong>Make new friends</strong></p> <p>Joining a group like Connected Women can be a great way to meet new people who share your new and shiny interests and passions. As a group of supportive and interested women, we're here to help you navigate this new phase of your life.</p> <p>Whether you're looking for friendship, support, or inspiration, our community of like-minded women can help you make the most of this exciting new chapter. So don't be afraid to embrace change and explore new possibilities. The best is yet to come!</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/05/Phoebe-headshot-EDITED.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Phoebe Adams is the founder of Connected Women, an organisation providing a community for women over 50 to connect with each other and build meaningful friendships. With a rapidly growing community in Perth, Sydney, Wollongong, and Melbourne, Connected Women provides a safe and welcoming space for women to come together and share experiences. To learn more about the organisation and how you can get involved, visit <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;" href="https://www.connectedwomen.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">connectedwomen.net</a>.</em></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Image credits: Getty Images</em></span></p>

Relationships

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5 tips for reinventing your life in retirement

<p>Retirement can be the ideal time for a change of direction in your life. So in order to make your retirement years the most fulfilling in your life, here we have five handy hints for setting your life up exactly the way you want.</p> <p><strong>1. Let it go</strong></p> <p>For many of us, our job or career was our identity. So when retirement approaches, it can be easy to think that we will lose our sense of self.</p> <p>Instead of letting things spiral out of control in your mind, consider just letting go of the idea of your job and yourself being one and the same. </p> <p>What are you interested in? What are you good at? How do you want to spend your time, and with whom? Now is the time to thinking about what you really want to be doing, and just do it.</p> <p><strong>2. Find your niche</strong></p> <p>Many people use the word passion when it comes to determining what you want to do in retirement. In fact, it can be too much pressure to think of one specific thing that gets your creative juices flowing.</p> <p>A more comfortable way for many of us to find what we want to do with our retirement years is to just try a few things on for size, and see what fits.</p> <p>If you are not great at painting, but have always been interested – sign up to an art class and you might unlock some creativity. If you enjoy helping others – try volunteering once a week and see if you meet some nice people. If you’re not sure what to do, but want to do something – start a walking group with your neighbours.</p> <p>Anything that gets you out of the house and meeting new people is a great place to start.</p> <p><strong>3. Turn fears into fun</strong></p> <p>Once you reach retirement age, hopefully you will be done with worrying about what others think of you. Now is the time to think about what challenges you (or even what scares you) and determine whether you are ready to conquer it once and for all. </p> <p>Just because you’ve never done salsa dancing (or you have two left feet) doesn’t mean you won’t love it. So you never finished that degree – why not finish it now?</p> <p>Don’t let age or circumstance dictate what you can and cannot do – forge your own path.</p> <p><strong>4. Look to the past for inspiration</strong></p> <p>Think back to your childhood. What were the things that you did that you really loved doing? What was it that took your mind off to a happy place where time stood still?</p> <p>So often it is these things that can give you an insight into what you really should be doing with your time. For many of us, these ideas were dismissed in favour of something more practical when it came to career choices.</p> <p>But now that the practical considerations can be somewhat ignored, think about what really puts you in a positive frame of mind.</p> <p>Perhaps you loved cooking or playing pretend kitchens – could you take part in (or even run) a baking class? Did you love writing stories – maybe now is the time to get cracking with that novel.</p> <p><strong>5. Know that you are worth the investment</strong></p> <p>If you’re worried that you’re too old, or that it’s too late to make changes to your life – think again.</p> <p>If you are willing to invest time and money in a new direction for your life, you could be enjoying the benefits for the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years.</p> <p>For many of us the idea of going back to basics and learning a new skill means being “the new kid” or a beginner again, which can be challenging. But by re-framing this as an opportunity rather than something to be scared of, you can start seeing the investment in yourself as the best thing you could ever do. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Retirement Life

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I became an author at 64

<p><em><strong>Pat Simmons, 69, is a writer of poems, short stories, flash fiction and articles. Her work has been published in anthologies and children’s magazines and she has won writer competitions in Australia and the UK.</strong></em></p> <p>I’ve always loved writing but it wasn’t until my 64th year that I decided to start taking myself seriously as a writer. I suppose the main reason I hadn’t pursued writing before, like many people, was that it was essential to earn a living and be in stable employment. Raising our beautiful children the best way we knew how, having a roof over our heads, and paying our bills were essentials for my husband and myself. I always wrote little bits and pieces and kept the dream alive.</p> <p>But in 2010, I felt the time was right. One of the things I love about growing older is that I don’t worry too much about what other people think and, to use an old cliché, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. I think my late husband would’ve been disappointed in me if I hadn’t created a new life for myself after he passed away and I would’ve been disappointed in myself.</p> <p>So I knew I really wanted to write for children, but I had no idea how to get started. At the time, I was still working full time running a large out of school hours’ care centre. Fortunately for me, one of the “mums” whose children were in my care, had a similar ambition and we started chatting about our passion one day. She introduced me to a wonderful online newsletter called <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Buzz Words</a></strong></span>. Buzz Words contains details of upcoming events, writing opportunities, competitions, author interviews and much more. It is a great resource for those who want to write for children. She and I have remained close friends and she is now a successful writer and also runs a wonderful website called <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/" target="_blank">Creative Kids Tales</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Entering competitions seemed like a great way to get started. Competitions have strict guidelines, they often have a theme, a word count and a closing date. Just the discipline I needed! I love writing poetry so I began entering poetry competitions. I couldn’t believe my luck when I won a UK competition and my poem appeared in an anthology and the book cover was designed around my poem.</p> <p>This gave me confidence and I started to attend writers’ festivals and events. I also joined the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Writer events such as conferences and festivals are wonderful, as well-known authors and illustrators share their knowledge and their journeys to publication which is always inspirational and motivational.</p> <p>As well as writing short stories and poetry for children, I also write flash fiction for adults and belong to a 52 Week Flash Fiction Challenge on Facebook. And I love writing for the Over60 website!</p> <p>Since my retirement in 2013 I’ve also joined a writers’ group. We meet fortnightly to critique each other’s work and chat of course!</p> <p>This year a dream came true for me when a picture book text I submitted was accepted for publication in 2017.</p> <p>Six years on, I feel very “grown up” as I now have <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.patsimmonswriter.com.au/" target="_blank">my very own website</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Remember, it’s never too late to change or take on new challenges. I doubt that I’ll ever be a famous author but do I care? No! Ok I probably won’t take up sumo wrestling or kickboxing either but they’re not my thing! We live in a country where there are so many opportunities for all of us. Let’s make the best of them.</p> <p>It’s never too late to follow your passion. Enjoy the journey.</p> <p>Have you chased a dream later in life? Share your experience in the comments below. </p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/my-new-life-as-a-homeless-yet-happy-house-and-pet-sitter/">My new life as a homeless-yet-happy house and pet sitter</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/the-joys-of-living-in-a-tiny-home/">The joys of living in a tiny home</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/3-questions-to-ask-before-coming-out-of-retirement/">3 questions to ask before coming out of retirement</a></strong></em></span></p>

Retirement Life

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My new life as a homeless-yet-happy house and pet sitter

<p><em><strong>Francien Daniels-Webb, a 65-year-old single, homeless, retired teacher has been travelling the world on her own. All done on the cheap, she home and pet sits.</strong></em></p> <p>My decision to leave my marriage was an instant one, and as luck would have it my husband was on the same page. My role in the marriage had become one more of a carer then a wife, dare I say it – the mother figure he had missed out on. I was 15 years older and at 60 I was over the chaos and, having already raised my three children and as a teacher, taught thousands of students, it was time for me to move on.<br /> <br /> I left the home and virtually everything in it. What he didn’t want I donated to opportunity shops or gave away things to those who could use them. It was unbelievably easy, cathartic and I was thankful for the opportunity to do so. Andy and I agreed on a figure he would pay me for the home. It wasn’t much, but it was a cushion to land on. That was back in 2011, and I am pleased to say that today we are good friends and his partner and I get on very well. I think he feels left out at times as we chatter on. <br /> <br /> So there I was homeless at 60. What was I to do? Where was I going to live? Plans to build a self-contained granny flat at my youngest daughter’s home were soon ended. My two grandsons have autism as does her husband, so the chaos I had left in my own home would be pushing onto them. Their home would be pulled apart with strangers coming into the home to build the granny flat, so I made my decision not to do this. Renting was also out of the equation as my Newstart Allowance did not come close to match any place to rent. At midnight, my daughter and I googled options, with the first coming from nowhere: house sitter! Suddenly, another life and lifestyle opened before us. It was unbelievable, and I signed up and paid for a year membership, on an Australia-only site.</p> <p><img width="521" height="391" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/25866/img_0339_521x391.jpg" alt="IMG_0339" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>My grandchildren on my 65th birthday celebration.</em></p> <p>Life is very interesting when you are open to a different way of thinking, and calls to action soon came along. Friends of my daughter came over for a BBQ and I told them I was researching home and pet sitting. The couple faced each other with a grin and voila, here was my first booking for two weeks! They were so happy to stumble upon me, otherwise one of them would have had to stay home with the dogs during Christmas!</p> <p>I soon had the next six months booked, most of these conveniently back to back. Colleagues at the school where I had worked as a casual relief teacher also booked me to home sit, so within five days I had 15 months booked out in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland, all the way until early 2013. A colleague whose son I had taught at a Special School also approached me to be her son's companion for 12 weeks over three separate sits. No pets, but her oldest son would bring his Great Dane over. </p> <p>Today, I am a companion for another student from that same school. It is the first time his parents have had a holiday together in 25 years. The lad I spent time with in 2013 and his girlfriend, whom I also taught, are coming over for dinner on Saturday evening. This fact is what every teacher loves to be part of: seeing past students becoming independent.</p> <p><img width="540" height="403" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/25869/img_0427_540x403.jpg" alt="IMG_0427 (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Perfect match: whippet and fire in Tawonga.</em></p> <p>With the home and pet sitting going so well in Australia, I decided to try some sits overseas. This would be perfect way to see the world and visit my birthplace, Netherlands. I migrated to Australia along with my parents, sister and brother when I was seven in 1958. I’ve only returned in 1994 to see my cousins and their families, in 1997 with my daughter, and in 2011 with Andy, six months before our marriage was over.</p> <p>I had two sits in Nederland and five sits in England, near Brighton, 20 minutes from Harrods, Jane Austen country, Felixstowe and near Manchester. I spent an amazing 133 days between both countries and my inner gypsy was born.<br /> <br /> Last year I left for Vancouver, and was welcomed into a family's Airbnb home for a week and then flew to Edmonton, Alberta for my first sit with two pussy cats and to look after the one bedroom flat for five weeks. Before I left Alberta by bus, I decided a stopover in Banff was needed. What an amazing journey, those Canadian Rockies are really something. In Banff it is impossible to take a bad photo. I will certainly be returning there in Autumn and see Lake Louise.</p> <p>I then left for the US where I was met at the train station in Charlotte, North Carolina by the owners of my first sit in the US. I ended up returning to sit their neighbour’s puppies and then back into my second sit with the first owners. Life on Lake Norman in Davidson North Carolina is a dream and the people I met and sat for were generous, caring, thoughtful, respectful and genuine. I never thought I would ever say that and here I was in my first place!</p> <p>I then worked my way through house sits in Independence, Missouri, Fayetteville and Peachtree City, Georgia, Orlando, Florida, Leasburg, North Carolina, and Columbia, Maryland. They were all more than I could have ever expected. Return trips were organised and paid for by owners who wanted to see me again before I left for Australia! One lady's parents invited me to stay with them in Connecticut and their holiday home in Rhode Island just 15 days before Christmas. They actually drove me to Harlem where I was staying in another Airbnb!</p> <p>On New Year's Eve in 2015, at midnight, I left to return home to Melbourne. My darling daughter’s 40th birthday celebration was my reason to come back to Australia. With one or two week sits in Melbourne already booked, I soon found that my year was quickly blocked out. I am looking forward to two special sits in Tawonga and then Mt Toolebewong where wombats and lyre birds are regular visitors. Friends in the US have already asked me to return and I’ve got booked repeat assignment in Australia next year too. </p> <p><img width="559" height="275" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/25871/francien-collage_559x275.jpg" alt="Francien Collage" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Through home and pet sitting, I have made very dear friends besides experiencing amazing cultures, foods, cities and villages. I lead a perfect lifestyle. If you envy my lifestyle then you are not the first, I am nearly 65 and this proves that you can begin this lifestyle whenever you wish. To be honest, the grey nomads are much in demand and very appreciated by all ages of home owners.  In the States they love the Aussies. Well I love the Americans just as much.<br /> <br /> In 2018 I plan to teach English in Bhutan for 12 months, as a teacher I am more than qualified. I am interested in their simplistic lifestyle. Once there I am open to where my path leads me. My experience has only been positive, I am healthier, happier and more content than I have ever been. No stress.<br /> <br /> I have no fixed address, just a Newstart Allowances which seizes six weeks after you leave Australian shores. In a few weeks I will receive the Aged Pension which will continue when I am overseas. Wow I won't know myself!<br /> <br /> We can all sit and watch the world and time pass by through our curtains but being part of the growing number of sitters travelling the world free be the very best decision you have made for a long time. Who wouldn’t like to travel and have free accommodation?</p> <p><em>To find more information about home and pet sitting, visit Francien’s website <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.homesittersworldwide.com" target="_blank">Home Sitters Worldwide.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a> </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/07/is-happiness-really-what-we-are-after-in-retirement/"><em>Is happiness really what we’re after in retirement?</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/07/how-to-create-a-retirement-bucket-list/"><em>8 tips to create the perfect retirement bucket list</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/06/the-simple-yet-powerful-tool-to-plan-your-retirement/"><em>The simple yet powerful tool to plan your retirement</em></a></strong></span></p>

Retirement Life

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Discover Melbourne’s reinvented laneways

<p>Melbourne is known as one of the street art capitals of the world - the perfect destination for a "spraycation".</p> <p>Now it is boasting even more vibrant colour after more than 250 artists from all over Australia met to fill the city with fresh art.</p> <p>The inaugural Meeting of Styles Melbourne graffiti and street art festival was held across 20 of the city's iconic laneways, including Croft Alley, Union Lane, Hosier Lane and Flinders Court, as well as the suburbs of Fitzroy and Footscray.</p> <p>Over three days, the laneways were completely repainted by the artists - something never done before in Melbourne.</p> <p>The event was organised by local graffiti artist Duke Grimo and Adrian Doyle, who runs the Melbourne Street Art Tours.</p> <p>Meeting of Styles began 15 years ago in an abandoned slaughterhouse in Wiesbaden, Germany.</p> <p>Originally known as the International Wall Street Meeting, the event attracted thousands of visitors from all over Germany.</p> <p>Over the years, the slaughterhouse evolved into a hall of fame, until 2001 when it was announced it would be converted into a car park.</p> <p>The following year the event was revived and its name changed to Meeting of Styles.</p> <p>Melbourne organisers described the event as an "unmitigated success" and said it would be even bigger and better next year.</p> <p>What do you think of this street art? Can you see the artistic merit, or do you prefer other more conventional forms of art?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / mosmelbourne</em></p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/melbourne-a-foodies-paradise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Melbourne: A foodie's paradise</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/international/2016/05/10-free-things-to-do-in-melbourne/"><em><strong>10 free things to do in Melbourne</strong></em></a></span></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/05/the-best-time-to-visit-mount-kosciuszko/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The best time to visit Mount Kosciuszko</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Reinvent your home with just a bucket of dye and oodles of imagination

<p>A simple bucket of dye is a great way to breathe life back into everyday objects from around the home. The best part is that it is a very straightforward process that anyone can do. Why not experiment to make your own colors, and then let your imagination be your guide for how and where to use it.</p> <p><strong>Find a colour theme</strong></p> <p>You don’t have to stick to just dying fabric. Try other materials such as paper, wool, raffia, feathers, rice and even stones. The fun part is you just never know how it will turn out. Often one bucket of dye can produce a vastly different result for different items. You can also vary how long you keep the items in the dye.</p> <p><strong>Vintage linens</strong></p> <p>If you’ve got classic vintage table linens, consider dying them for a modern new look. You can choose colours to complement your kitchen, or go for a variety of colours to use at an outdoor lunch.</p> <p><strong>Bowls and cups</strong></p> <p>Grab some good quality disposable bowls to use as a fun introduction to playing around with dyes. They can look as good as ceramic bowls and can be put in pride of place on shelves or windowsills to store your bits and pieces.</p> <p><strong>Buttons</strong></p> <p>You can customise your wooden, fabric or mother-of-pearl buttons with dye for your clothes or craft projects.</p> <p><strong>Linen clothing</strong></p> <p>When white linen clothes have aged and discoloured, dye can come to the rescue. Breathe new life into a dress or shirt by dying it, along with your accessories such as beads and a linen shopping bag.</p> <p><strong>Bed sheets</strong></p> <p>If you’re a bit tired of the classic white or cream sheet sets, customise to your heart’s content by dying them. It could be a classic contrast such as yellow and green; or go for varied shades of blue or pink. </p>

Home & Garden

Over 60

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