Month: February 2021

Is Because Thinking Stopping You from Doing, Being, and Enjoying?

because thinking

At 72, and committed to living a life I love, I’ve been reflecting on how easy it is to let outside conditions influence the decisions we make about what we do in our lives.

How many times have you decided to not do something because of conditions around you? For example, what you think someone your age can’t or shouldn’t do, or not investing in yourself because money should be saved, or waiting for success to be guaranteed before venturing ahead.

Seeing Because Thinking for the Limit It Is

We all do this. For many of us, it is a habit we developed to help us make decisions. More than ever in our life, it is important to pause and decide if the decision to not do something is based on what is really true.

When we were younger, we may have postponed things we wanted to do, thinking…

  • “I need to wait until the kids are older.”
  • “I need to get my promotion first.”
  • “I’ll do it after I pay down the mortgage.”
  • “I’ll just wait until I retire (we know that one!).”

How many things that you desired did you put off and not do at all because the conditions of your life were more important? So, now it is likely that you have developed a new set of conditions that may keep you from living the full and vital life that is possible for you.

Now is the time for us to live the life we truly love, enjoy every minute, and leave the legacy we want.

My Personal Breakthrough

I had to break through my ‘because thinking’ to discover that someone past 60 CAN learn a new sport. When I first joined a Dragon Boat team, I faced my personal dragons of not being good enough or strong enough to even be wanted on the boat. Well guess what? I am good enough!

The pain of not being happy finally moved me past the thinking that I could not start a business because I was too old. I did and I am having the best time of my life.

Why did I let this limited thinking get in the way of living fully? Because I bought into the messaging and assumptions about our age group that permeate our society. As a generation of women, we are here to change that.

Breaking the Because Thinking Habit

Is there something that you would love, but don’t pursue it, BECAUSE you think:

  • “I don’t have the money.”
  • “I am too old.”
  • “I’m out of shape.”
  • “I don’t have the education/training.”
  • “It would take too much energy.”
  • “New technology is difficult to learn.”
  • “I might not get to finish it.”
  • Or, the most cunning one, “I don’t want to disrupt my comfortable life.”

Any time you find yourself thinking “I shouldn’t or I can’t… because, because, BECAUSE,” press pause and interrupt that BECAUSE thinking. Is it true… really?

Here is the magic key: Change your thinking to focus on what is possible. For example:

  • What can I do to get the funds to do this?
  • Someone my age should do this and maybe I can find others.
  • What can I do to begin to get in shape?
  • I can learn whatever I need to and love doing it.
  • I’d rather be joyful and vital than comfortable and unhappy.

My Personal Breakthrough

A good example is when I retired. I thought I should have this really safe way to make money because I should not risk anything at my age. Well, looking for safety had me doing something that was not bringing me joy. I really did not enjoy my life. What I was doing had no heart, when this phase of life can be the most free and energizing time of our entire lives!

Realizing living this life with no heart was not what I wanted for my next decades, I fixed it. I asked myself what I could do that did not risk everything – and I began to build a business one step at a time. Let me confess, that what I thought was at risk really was not at all. It was just a conditioned excuse to stay safe.

Begin Your Breakthrough Today

I invite you to do the same and take that step that you have been putting off, avoiding, talking yourself out of, or whatever mechanism you choose to play safe.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Take Your Thoughts to a Journal

Take quiet time to journal about the life that would bring you satisfaction and happiness. Think about your health and self-care, friendships and love, your contribution/work, and the time and money you have available. If a little voice tries to talk you out of an idea, tell it to keep quiet for now. If you need to, make a date with that voice on your calendar in a week or so.

Involve Your Partner

If you have a partner and they are willing, you can include them. Dreaming together is fun!

Surround Yourself with Supporters

Find others – a friend, coach, women’s group – where you can share what you envision and your journey toward it. Let others support you.

Block the Voice of Self-Doubt

Notice and interrupt the little voice in you that may be telling you why you can’t or shouldn’t. You can do this kindly. After all, it is trying to keep you safe, but you are the final authority.

Take One Step at a Time

Take one small step each day toward the part of your dream that you find most compelling.

Living with Heart Is Even More Important Now

Especially after 60, it is important that the life we are creating brings us joy, fulfillment, and a sense that we continue to matter. This is truly the time to live from our heart and not from the conditions we think are in control. You are more than your conditions.

What have you stopped yourself from doing based on the “I can’t because” thinking? What opportunities may become truly possible in your life if you interrupt the voice of safety? Perhaps you have already challenged yourself to step beyond what you thought were your limits. Please share that story to inspire our sisters!

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Coach & Sephora Collection Just Dropped The Most Fun Makeup Collab Of 2021

For those of us who grew up in the early-aughts, one of our first big designer bags was from Coach. Maybe you even borrowed your mom’s vintage carryalls from the ’90s. We’ve pretty much grown up with the brand. After a blip where there wasn’t a ton of newness, Coach is coming back with a vengeance with on-trend clothes, bags, and now, a limited-edition Coach x Sephora Collection line.

The ultra-fun collection features Coach’s iconic motifs and mascots with Sephora Collection makeup inside. “I wanted to create something playful but also very Coach—really rooted in a rich color palette that recalls our leather heritage,” Coach creative director Stuart Vevers said in a statement. “Like a beloved bag or favorite piece of
outerwear, makeup is about creativity and style and with Sephora we were able to find another way to celebrate self-expression.”

There are seven products to choose from with eyeshadow, lip gloss, nail polish, eye masks, face palettes and brushes. The line drops March 2 and you can shop them all, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Rexy Eyeshadow Palette

Six eyeshadows in mattes, metallics and shimmers.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Brush Set

Five face and eye brushes in a brush stand with detachable rings.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Eye Mask Set

Three pairs of cucumber-rose infused under-eye patches.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Nail Set

A high-shine pink polish, quick-dry two-in-one base/top coat and nail stickers.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Uni Face Palette

A creamy blush, shimmery highlighter and matte bronzer.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Lipgloss Set

Four high-shine, non-sticky glosses infused with peppermint oil.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Sharky Eyeshadow Palette

Six eyeshadows in mattes, metallics and shimmers.

STYLECASTER | Ashley Benson Interview

Read More

I’m Over 55 – Should I Get the Covid-19 Vaccine?

Covid-19 vaccine

At this stage, most of what we’re hearing is frustration about the slow pace of the vaccine rollout. But gradually, the effort is picking up steam, and we are moving toward delivering one to one and a half and possibly one day soon to two million vaccine administrations per day. This will quickly make an enormous difference and lead us to herd immunity and a dramatic reduction in Covid cases.

This is all well and good. But many of us are wondering, “Should I personally get the vaccine?”Many seniors are hearing conflicting stories and advice, so let us look at the decision from each important angle.

What Is My Personal Risk?

To be sure, there is still a significant risk associated with Covid-19. More than half a million Americans have lost their lives to this new virus, and it has not even been one full year yet.To put that in perspective, more Americans have died from this virus than were killed during the entirety of World War II.

It is significantly more deadly and more transmissible than the annual flu, which we used to think was a bad virus, killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. Let us look at only the personal risks to an individual considering the vaccine.

The Risk Is Primarily Borne by Seniors

A disproportionate number of people killed by Covid-19 are senior citizens over the age of 55. Over 400,000 of the total United States deaths so far have occurred in people over 55 years of age. The risk increases with every decade of life.

But Death Isn’t the Only Thing

Increasingly, research is shining a light on long-term disabilities and complications from the virus among survivors. In the years and decades to come, it will become clearer the total devastation wrought by this virus.

Already it is clear that there are many people who are experiencing long-term impairments in brain function, heart function, and lung function. The number of people who may have some long-term cognitive impairment, difficulty breathing, and heart trouble that limits their lives is probably several times the number of people who have died from the virus.

But Aren’t There Serious Side Effects or Bad Reactions from the Vaccine?

In short, no. Now that tens of millions of people have received both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines, we have a good handle on the risk of getting vaccinated.And it is minimal.

Side effects include a sore arm, fevers, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. About one in four people will experience this kind of reaction which lasts a day or two.

About five people out of every million vaccinated will experience anaphylaxis, a very serious allergic reaction. Usually, this occurs within the first 15 minutes of getting a vaccine, which is why vaccine centers make you hang around and wait for at least 15 minutes before driving off somewhere else.

The risk of death from the vaccine itself so far? 0.0%.On January 27, 2021, a study examining all the vaccinations given and all the reactions and deaths among the population showed that the risk of death among the vaccinated people was lower than the non-vaccinated people.

While all deaths that occur after a vaccination are investigated, as of this writing, none of the deaths are believed to be due to the vaccine. This is remarkable because of the rapid rollout and the large numbers of people getting the vaccine.

Humans Are Lousy at Judging Risk

You might already be aware of the phenomenon whereby most humans are very afraid of sharks, but not very afraid of driving on the freeway. Driving on the freeway poses over a million times more risk to the individual than sharks, but our evolutionary wiring means that we misjudge risks to our own detriment.

In the case of the Covid-19 vaccine, some individuals are persuaded by anecdotal reports of reactions to the vaccine, or unsubstantiated theories about contaminants, bad motives, unreported side effects, and any number of other “risks.”

But at the same time, that same individual vastly underestimates the risk of dying or developing a serious health problem from the virus.

Survivorship Bias Influences Our Thinking

Individuals who fear the vaccine and think there may be some problem with it may have been influenced by individuals telling an anecdotal story or hearing about an adverse event online. These people all have something in common: they are alive.

What we do not hear is the cacophony of personal tragedy of falling victim and dying of Covid-19 from the person who suffered it.No amount of media coverage or hearing from relatives of the lost can make up for this statistical phenomenon.

Worse still, there is additional bias that those individuals who develop severe cases of Covid-19 endure their illness within the hospital and not at the shopping mall or the restaurant. So, our exposure to the unaffected is magnified, while our exposure to those severely afflicted with the virus is greatly diminished.

And It Is Not Just About Us, Personally

If one can think beyond oneself and consider how this personal decision affects one’s circle of friends, family and neighbors, then the case for obtaining a vaccine becomes even more compelling.

Any individual may be the asymptomatic carrier who infects a vulnerable friend, family member, or neighbor, who then suffers the serious effects of the virus.

In health and medical circles, those who refuse vaccinations are rightly viewed as the most selfish and uncaring citizens of the community because more often than not, the death and disease will happen to another person, not the individual who refuses to help the wider community avoid disease.

Putting a real stop to Covid-19 will be greatly facilitated by everyone getting vaccinated, leaving fewer pockets of society where the virus can still run rampant and kill people.

Why the Vaccine Is Important for Humanity

From an individual personal risk perspective, the case for getting vaccinated if you are over 55 years old is overwhelming. Doing this one simple thing (well two – getting both shots) is an enormous reduction of personal health risk. The numbers are striking, there is almost no serious risk of the vaccine, and there is a very significant risk of remaining unvaccinated.

Let us say there are 70 million Americans or so over the age of 55, and 400,000 deaths from Covid-19 in this group in less than one year’s time.

Choosing to remain unvaccinated is about the same risk as going swimming at the shark-infested waters of your favorite beach every single day of the year – for the next 5,000 years.

Have you gotten your vaccine yet? What was the experience like? Did you have second thoughts before going? What do you think about it now? Please share your before/after story.

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5 Surprising Things I Learned About Myself After Starting a Business in My 60s

starting a business

If you have been thinking about starting your dream business, declare that this is the year to develop your plan and move your idea forward.

When many women approach midlife and beyond, they sometimes allow negative mind chatter to dominate their thoughts and influence their actions. They may think, “I’m too old. I’m not smart enough. My best years have passed.” Entertaining a limited mindset can keep you stuck and prevent you from pursuing what God has placed on your heart.

Planting the Seeds for Greatness

When I was in my mid-50s, preparing to retire from 32 years of teaching in the public school system, I received a powerful nudge to continue my life of service in a different way, by starting my own business – the type of business that would help others achieve what was urgent in their lives.

At the time, I had no idea where to begin or even what that business would look like. But looking back, I realize that I was planting the seeds for my wellness business. My current work is the manifestation of believing, taking action, planting seeds, and watching them sprout.

Six years ago, at the age of 62, I launched Lifestyle 120. Today, I’m a motivational speaker, author and holistic health coach, and I have an empowerment curriculum for boomer women, a weekly blog and video series. But most importantly, I’m inspiring women to live their best lives by finding purpose in retirement.

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be helping to change the world’s view on aging by inspiring women to be their best, I would have wondered where you got your information.

In a relatively short time, entrepreneurship has taught me amazing things about myself that I would not have known otherwise. My hope is that this post will motivate you to jump into the ring and do your thing!

Here are five remarkable lessons I learned after starting my wellness business:

Outwit Crippling Fears and Ramp Up Personal Power

Many fears are often associated with the lack of confidence, insecurities, and unpleasant past events. I may have been naïve stepping into the unknown, but one epiphany stands out: I have an abundance of potential and am not limited by previous experiences.

Although I had a plan, I was open to a higher plan. I expected to feel fear, but overcoming fear is a choice and requires strategy. In fact, I knew that preparedness, clarity, focus, and trusting the process are prerequisites for success. I maintained an unshakable resolve, and as I saw positive results, my confidence grew.

Entrepreneurship is not for the timid. We must be willing to take risks, and like a rubber ball, bounce forward when something doesn’t work out as planned. One thing that helps me push past panic or disappointments is affirming that my mission is not all about me – it’s about serving others.

Passion Speeds the Learning Process

As a former public school educator, I embrace lifelong learning. However, I discovered that starting a business requires dedication to a totally new discipline.

I was surprised how quickly I realized that there were many unfamiliar concepts, programs, and systems required to promote and sustain my company. What keeps me excited about the learning curve is devotion and passion for my mission. When you’re committed to your dream, nothing seems insurmountable.

Don’t Be Afraid to Explore

When I first got the idea for my business, I had many feelings of doubt and almost gave up. I thought, “How could a middle-aged woman, without business acumen, become a successful entrepreneur?”

Playing it safe, I decided to investigate opportunities closely related to my former profession – the road previously traveled. But that didn’t work.

I was being guided to use my strengths and talents in a different way – to do a new thing. Still, I had to go through a process of exploration, paying close attention to the signs that the Universe was placing on my path.

What I wound up doing is combining my love of teaching, my longtime passion for health and wellness, and my experience developing curriculum, while at the same time, strengthening a deeper relationship with Divine Spirit.

Integrating my skills and passions led me on a rewarding adventure, and I’m continuing to evolve. We must release the scarcity mindset and be receptive to increase.

Slow and Steady Yield Amazing Results

When I announced my grand opening, I thought I would see a long line. But most startups require cultivation. It takes time and determination for a garden to grow to its full splendor. Success doesn’t occur overnight. Heed the marquee flashing in your mind: Patience. Perseverance.

A daily diet of positive affirmations has a profound impact on your spirit. Continue to feed your faith and embrace your vision. Walk – don’t run. Stay true to course, enjoy the scenery, and keep being your best.

Release Perfectionism and Control

I’m still learning not to take myself too seriously, and I’m getting really good at being flexible. Control and perfectionism are tied to fear: Fear of being judged and the fear of making mistakes. But you can’t avoid missteps – how else do you learn valuable lessons?

Once I embraced the idea that my new business venture was a personal journey to something bigger than myself, I was able to begin to relinquish my control queen crown. Putting forth my best effort in everything I do is enough!

We must acknowledge our imperfections and laugh at our “mistakes,” which I prefer to call blind bloopers. We grow while undertaking challenges. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m headed in the right direction.

And another thing, in case you were thinking about trying to go it alone: Don’t! Swallow your pride and ask for guidance. I made it this far with the support of an amazing team of experts who believed in me.

Where Do You Begin?

If you are serious about exploring a startup, begin journaling. Consider what’s possible. Write everything that comes up for you.

What type of business do you want to start? You already have a pretty good idea. It has something to do with employing your interests, talents, and experiences in a unique way.

I always suggest that my followers and clients think higher than themselves and focus their attention on solving a problem they are passionate about or making the world a better place.

As mature, seasoned women, our hearts and souls are yearning to live a life of joy, passion, fulfillment, and service. However, some women think that when they approach their 60s, 70s, and beyond, it’s time to slow down and become passive, when actually, this is the critical time to expand and become actively engaged in creating something fresh and magnificent.

Your conscious decision to make your golden years count changes everything for yourself, which in turn benefits the world around you.

What do you want your legacy to be? I encourage you to take a risk. Discover what’s possible. Begin creating that dream business! It’s never too late to drive your dream home.

What type of business do you want to launch? Why? How do you deal with disappointments and setbacks in your profession? Are you an entrepreneur? What has been your biggest life lesson?

Read More

Coach & Sephora Collection Just Dropped The Most Fun Makeup Collab Of 2021

For those of us who grew up in the early-aughts, one of our first big designer bags was from Coach. Maybe you even borrowed your mom’s vintage carryalls from the ’90s. We’ve pretty much grown up with the brand. After a blip where there wasn’t a ton of newness, Coach is coming back with a vengeance with on-trend clothes, bags, and now, a limited-edition Coach x Sephora Collection line.

The ultra-fun collection features Coach’s iconic motifs and mascots with Sephora Collection makeup inside. “I wanted to create something playful but also very Coach—really rooted in a rich color palette that recalls our leather heritage,” Coach creative director Stuart Vevers said in a statement. “Like a beloved bag or favorite piece of
outerwear, makeup is about creativity and style and with Sephora we were able to find another way to celebrate self-expression.”

There are seven products to choose from with eyeshadow, lip gloss, nail polish, eye masks, face palettes and brushes. The line drops March 2 and you can shop them all, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Rexy Eyeshadow Palette

Six eyeshadows in mattes, metallics and shimmers.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Brush Set

Five face and eye brushes in a brush stand with detachable rings.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Eye Mask Set

Three pairs of cucumber-rose infused under-eye patches.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Nail Set

A high-shine pink polish, quick-dry two-in-one base/top coat and nail stickers.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Uni Face Palette

A creamy blush, shimmery highlighter and matte bronzer.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Tea Rose Lipgloss Set

Four high-shine, non-sticky glosses infused with peppermint oil.

sephora coach

Sephora.

Coach x Sephora Collection Sharky Eyeshadow Palette

Six eyeshadows in mattes, metallics and shimmers.

STYLECASTER | Ashley Benson Interview

Read More