In the months leading up to the release of my second book, I stood before my image in the mirror, questioning whether I still can handle the changes sweeping through my life with the same energy and enthusiasm as I once did.

Even though I have written about self-love, I was finding it hard to love all of me in that now moment.

The preceding years had taught me how to spot the shadowy and often elusive ways unworthiness and self-doubt show up in the lives of women and men over 60, including myself.

I was able to quickly trace this unfolding cloud of doubt back to my age. Challenged to acknowledge my chronological age, as in “I am __ years old,” I wondered, where does this belief about my age come from?

I knew one thing for sure, and that was anything I wanted to positively change, refocus, and renew in my life started by perceiving myself differently. This involved a shift in how I spoke to myself.

Changing Your Inner Dialogue

I knew it was time to change my inner dialogue. To do this, I got into a consistent habit each day of confidently declaring to myself:

“I am vibrant and beautiful. I am the love I seek. I welcome and receive the love and happiness I desire. I deserve nothing less.”

While these daily inner reminders did help me, there was an inexplicable pull to believe it wasn’t 100% true. Every time I felt myself excited about a new phase in my life, or looked in the mirror and loved the person staring back at me, the inner critic would be awakened.

My inner critic would speak in a dismissive tone, with questions like:

“Who am I to be a successful actress at this age? Who am I to speak about self-love or write a book on discovering your true self? Who am I to be happy and fulfilled?”

Ask Your Negative Thoughts to Tell You Their Story

Like an actress peeling back the layers of her character’s backstory, I started digging into my thoughts further than I ever had. My intention was to better understand what was motivating me to doubt my own worthiness, and why this doubt was revolving around my age, especially at such a wonderful time in my life.

Rather than lament these thoughts – or push them away, as I once did – I asked my negative thoughts to tell me their story. And they did.

Through careful observation, I traced the history of my thoughts back to my earliest childhood memories. They revealed some deeply powerful insights, not the least of which shed light on how I could change the way I speak to myself by openly listening to what my thoughts were truly conveying.

I began to journal a four-step process for how to listen to what my thoughts are sharing. I believe this can be of great benefit for you as well. You do not have to be an actress, author, or anyone other than who you are right now to easily apply this process to your own life.

A 4-Step Process That Will Positively Change Your Life

1. The process of listening to what your thoughts are saying begins with creating more time in your day to quiet your mind and tune into the stories your inner critic is telling you.
2. Become consciously aware of your thoughts while engaged in the mundane activities of your day. Limiting beliefs are easiest to hear when you are busy doing daily automatic routines. It happens when you are not consciously focused on the task, and you are on autopilot, such as bathing, brushing your teeth, putting on makeup, or even driving.
3. Tune into the story your inner critic weaves around each limiting belief. Self-critical dialogue takes place so regularly you do not even notice when or how your inner critic talks you out of doing things you truly desire.
4. Listen to the story but do not buy into it. Limiting beliefs are often conveyed through past experiences, and thus, with enough truth to make you believe they are unbreakable. These stories, which are rooted in past trauma, make you question your worthiness in the present moment.

Changing Your Thoughts Changes Your Stories

The areas of your life you wish to improve are governed not by your desires for improvement, but by limiting beliefs you have about what you can be, do, and have at this time in your life. These beliefs and their corresponding thoughts fuel the stories your inner critic attempts to convince you are real and unchangeable.

This 4-step process helped me better discern the difference between the voice of my inner critic and my inner, authentic voice. It also helped me get to the root of my self-doubt, particularly as it related to my age.

Discernment on this level of inner observation helps remove the influence of old beliefs and interrupts unconscious behaviors that sabotage desired outcomes. Most of all, listening to what your thoughts are telling you will help improve the overall quality of your life.

What does your inner critic tell you about yourself daily? Do you silence it, push it away, or listen to it? How have you overcome self-doubt and unworthiness in your life journey?

Often, I get a text or email from someone asking me what I think about a home they are considering purchasing. They will send me the address and ask me, “What do you think of this house?” I think they expect me to say, “Yes, I like it,” or “No, I don’t like it,” but my response email surprises them.

The Home Buyer’s Checklist

My response email, at minimum, contains at least seven bits of information I want them to obtain. They include:

1. Aerial view of the property they are looking for (obtained from Google Earth or their local tax assessor site)
2. Copy of the property tax card and copy of survey if available (obtained from their local assessor website)
3. Copy of the property’s legal description (available from local register of deed/documents office online or via visiting their office)
4. Copy of local flood maps of the area (available online)
5. Copy of any proposed planned developments nearby (obtained from government planning commission minutes or calling government planning office)
6. Three or more recent closed sales of similar homes within a mile or as close as possible to the property (obtained from local assessor website or online home sale sites)
7. Three or more recently listed similar homes within a mile or as close as possible to the property (obtained from local home listing sites online).

The preceding list of items is an eyes wide open preliminary homebuyer checklist that I personally use and advise others to do the same. Thanks to our ever growing technology, everything I have listed above is available free online. Let me walk you through each item on the list.

The Aerial View

Let’s start with getting an aerial view of the property. Search on Google Earth or the local assessor site. Locate the home you are considering purchasing by listing the physical address. Look at the property map and consider:

• How close are the neighboring improvements?
• Do you see commercial, industrial properties nearby, highway or collector roads?
• Are streams or waterways nearby?

All represent valuable information to take into consideration.

Tax Card

Next, look carefully at the property tax card information. Most tax cards online contain a property identification number unique to that property. The tax card will contain information regarding the size of the property’s lot and improvements and the amount they are assessed at (amount they use in taxing the property). The tax card also states the age of the property, age of improvements and many other useful facts.

Most homes have a recorded survey that I refer to as it’s “birth certificate.” The survey will show the property/land at birth or at the beginning, typically before a home is built (some surveys show completed improvements).

A copy of a survey will show you property lines, utility easements, common areas or neighborhood easements, waterways, possible flood hazard areas, roadways, and so many more items. A thorough look at the survey may save you from problems later.

Legal Description

The legal description is probably the most boring piece of information you will need to take a look at. If you cannot find the legal description online, a call to the local register of deeds/documents office will get you a copy emailed or you can pick it up.

The legal description will be found within the recorded deed of the property and may or may not contain information important to you. It will typically refer to a survey plat which you may have already looked at or it may actually give details of the property size, easements and encroachments if no survey is recorded.

Simply researching the property address at a local register of deeds or legal documents site can give you additional information regarding possible recorded easements, liens or other recorded information unique to the property that you are considering purchasing. That lovely property you may want to purchase could have a shared easement driveway or private (versus public) road frontage access.

Flood Map

Another good item to view is your local flood map online. Most are available by simply putting in the home address; however, some may take a little more research to find.

Make sure the property is not in a listed flood hazard area and if it is, look to see if the improvements are in the actual hazard area or outside of it. More research should be conducted if the property is located in or nearby a flood hazard area.

Local Planned Developments

One complaint I hear often from home buyers is, “I didn’t know that gorgeous sprawling farm next door was zoned for a shopping center.” Simply, call or check the local government planning commission site online to see what the open properties nearby are zoned for, if commercial or industrial use nearby is a concern to you. Also, local newspapers do a really good job to inform of potential developments on their way in a community.

Closed Sales and Listings

Last, but not least, obtaining at least 3 closed sales and 3 recently listed sales of nearby similar homes is most important on my list of “to do” items. Real estate agents and appraisers use sales and listings in valuing properties for mortgages, sellers, buyers, etc., but prospective home buyers can also conduct their own searches before a home purchase.

Getting this information is fairly simple to do. There are numerous real estate listing sites online that will show you homes that are currently listed and those that have sold nearby. By clicking on the home sales, you can get an idea of the home and neighborhood prices by comparing them with the home you are looking at. Your local tax assessor site also contains information regarding closed home sales.

Whew, the information to research may seem a bit overwhelming, but information is knowledge and having knowledge gives you the power to make the right decisions! You can do this!

How many times have you purchased a house in your lifetime? Which of the items on the above list did you consider when buying at least one home? Which did you disregard? Have you had regrets about buying any particular property? Why?

If you’re anything like me, mid-November is when you start to panic a little about gift-giving. Even if you have the main people in your life covered, what do you get your mother-in-law and work wife and all the others you want to show a little love? Well, let me introduce you to Beekman 1802’s sale at HSN. When you’re looking for something everyone will like, all genders and skin tones and ages, this sensitive skin-friendly line is it.

You’re truly giving the gift of self-care with Beekman 1802‘s goat milk-infused bath, body and skin products. Writer Josh Kilmer-Purcell and his husband Dr. Brent Ridge launched Beekman 1802 in 2008 after losing their jobs and moving to a rural town in upstate New York. They created their first goat milk soaps with the help of a local farmer and the brand was born. This is a hands-on line and you can feel the effort that goes into every product.

Good news! From now until November 16, you can grab the brand’s top-selling products (including gift sets!) for 35 percent off. While you’re picking up gifts for loved ones, be sure to grab a few products for yourself. If you have no clue where to start, shop a few of our favorites, 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. HSN is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Beekman 1802.

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk 8-piece Assorted Bath and Body Gift Set – $39.05 Off

Let’s start with the biggest discount yet. This holiday-ready set has a retail value of $139 and includes three bar soaps, three hand creams, two body creams and a Whistle for HSN Holiday 2021.

Beekman 1802.

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk 4-Piece Hand Care Collection – Vanilla Absolute – $2.55 Off

This year wreaked havoc on our hands. Gift your loved one this gift set (with a $48.99 value!) that contains bar soap, hand cream, cuticle cream and a glass nail file all in a chic gift bag.

Beekman 1802.

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Whipped Body Cream 2pc Set w/ Tin – $8.50

This is the hydrating body cream your dry, winter skin needs! This festive set has a retail value of $81. And you can choose your scent!

Beekman 1802.

Beekman 1802 2-pack Goat Milk Eye Serum – $23.50 Off

Not only does this eye serum hydrate and protect skin with antioxidants, it lightly illuminates at the same time. This two-pack has a retail value of $80!

Beekman 1802.

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk 4-Piece Foot Balm Gift Collection – $4.50 Off

Is there anything more self-care than fluffy socks and hydrating foot cream? I’m getting this set for every ultra-busy person on my list. It contains two foot balms, two sets of gingham socks and a festive gift bag. The retail value is $71.90!

Sometimes retirement doesn’t turn out the way we imagined. We may not be ready emotionally or financially, or have enough activities to fill up a once busy calendar. We may miss the day-to-day social interactions of the workplace or find it hard to make new friends and develop new interests.

Welcome to Unretirement

Retirement is not a one-way street. You can “un-retire” at any time. You can go back to work part-time. You can find a new way to work. You can create new ways to earn income – in person or online.

Thanks to modern healthcare, we are living longer – often well into our 90s – despite chronic and infectious diseases. Hitting our 60s is no longer a one-way ticket out of the working world. We can move back and forth between retirement and un-retirement as often as we want to. That’s good for us – with health, wealth and social benefits – and that’s good for the economy. Think job creation, consumer spending and innovation.

Older workers have a lot to share with the world in terms of knowledge as well as work and life experience. Technology may have made some of the jobs that our generation held obsolete, but that same evolution is also creating new jobs and new ways to work that are less age relevant, less physically demanding and more experience or expertise-based – two areas where older workers excel.

New Ways to Work

There is a wealth of opportunities to work at home or remotely from just about anywhere in the world, often while living abroad or travelling. As much as 43 percent of today’s workforce works remotely at least part-time. Nearly nine out of 10 (88 percent) employed Baby Boomer retirees have arrangements which include part-time (59 percent), freelance (18 percent) and seasonal work (seven percent). Close to 42 percent report that they have become self-employed or small business owners.

Like retirement, unretirement should also begin with a plan, and the best place to begin is by redefining what you want work to accomplish or add to your life. This isn’t about returning to your former job or career full-time, but about adding work back into your life in a more balanced way. I discuss how to create a thoughtful plan in my book, Retiring Solo.

For most retirees, the goal is not to replace their former income entirely, but to supplement or delay Social Security payments, or refrain from digging too deeply into retirement savings. Working part-time can also pay for health insurance or the cost of a supplemental Medicare policy, which then frees up funds for other interests or expenses.

A part-time job also builds your social and support network – a priceless benefit. Many retirees who return to work look for jobs that will put them in touch with interesting people daily.

Creating an Unretirement Plan

Decide how much time, ideally, you would like to devote to work, leisure, travel or learning. Think about how you could restructure work to make it fit with your new goals. This can mean changing your work schedule (when you work), changing the geography (where you go to work or where you work from) or changing how you work. Work has become much more fluid and flexible. I have worked from a home office for more than 28 years now. The scheduling and geographic flexibility that it provides is a huge lifestyle benefit.

This is also a good time to re-imagine what your work life could be. Here’s your chance to do something that you have always loved; to create a career out of a passion; or take the expertise that you have acquired and use it to create a new business or pursuit. Your 60s are an excellent time to start a new business. Keep in mind that you could have as many as 30 life years ahead of you. It is never too late to have the education or the career that you have always wanted, or to follow a road that was left unchosen earlier in life. You are only limited by the limitations that you place on yourself.

A survey by the MetLife Foundation and Encore.org reported that an estimated nine million Americans in the 44 to 70 age range are already engaged in second or “encore” careers and another 31 million are interested in pursuing one. Over the next 10 years, 25 percent of all Baby Boomers hope to start a business or non-profit, and half of those same people want to make a difference in the world while earning money.

Consider the skills that you have developed and the experiences that you have had. Somewhere in that skillset is the foundation for your next step. It just takes some reimagining and repurposing to see it – and some initiative to act on it!

Have you considered unretirement? What benefits do you see in new ways to work? Have you taken advantage of opportunities to telecommute, freelance or develop your own business? Tell us more in the comments below.

There are two types of people. One puts Christmas music on the second November 1 hits and the other complains it’s too early for holiday vibes until well into December. But regardless of where you fall, it’s never too early for beauty discounts. And when it comes to skincare, hair care and makeup, Nordstrom’s Black Friday 2021 beauty deals are some of the best around. The retailer has rolled out up to 50 percent off select beauty goods so, when you’re picking up a new robe for Mom or some slippers for your BFF, you can also stock up on the products you’ll use all year round. And we’ve got you the exclusive scoop on the epic deals before anyone else.

While Nordstrom has more amazing Black Friday deals than just beauty products on sale, I’m all about the makeup and skincare deals right now. I can’t help it. I’m a beauty girl at heart. Plus, when you tell me there’s Giorgio Armani Lipstick lipstick and Kate Somerville skincare for half off, I’m all in. And there’s so much to choose from. Feeling overwhelmed already? I got you started with some favorites, below. Pay attention to the dates so your fave doesn’t sell out. Happy shopping!

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.

Nordstrom.

Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing & Brightening Soft Cream – $55.50 Off

On November 11, the entire Absolue franchise is 25 percent off, including this luxe anti-aging moisturizer.

Nordstrom.

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer – $11.25 Off

From November 11-13, Bobbi Brown concealers are 25 percent off. This brightening formula contains skincare-like ingredients to smooth under your eyes as it covers imperfections.

Nordstrom.

Malin + Goetz Candle –  $16.50 Off

On November 13, Malin + Goetz candles and fragrances are 30 percent off, including this earth-friendly, made-in-Brooklyn candle that comes in five scents.

Nordstrom.

Nest New York Birchwood Pine Candle – $8.80 Off

On November 13, Nest candles are 20 percent off, including this limited-edition winter scent.

Nodstrom.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Moisturizer – $10 Off

November 18-19, this iconic body lotion is 20 percent off, along with the entire Kiehl’s line (excluding holiday gift sets).

Nordstrom.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick – $9 Off

November 23-25, all Anastasia Beverly Hills lip products are a whopping half off. We love this soft matte lipstick that comes in 20 shades.

Nordstrom.

NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device – $67.80 Off

November 24-29, all NudeFace products are 20 percent off, excluding holiday kits. This interchangeable treatment set is the perfect way to start.

Nordstrom.

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser – $5.80 Off

November 24-29, all Caudalie products are 20 percent off, including this purifying cleanser perfect for acne-prone skin.

Nordstrom.

Briogeo Healthy Hair Wonders Set – $9.80 Off

On November 29, take 20 percent off this healthy hair set, which already has a retail value of $81. You get full sizes of Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray and Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, as well as travel sizes of Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfood Hair Mask and Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil.

Nordstrom.

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush – $7.50 Off

December 9-12, take 25 percent off all MAC blush and bronzer products. This baked mineral blush is so pretty in 11 shades.

Nordstrom.

Kiehl’s Defend & Correct Set – $12 Off

This skincare set has a retail value of $96 and you’re getting it for only $56! Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ protects your skin against UVA/UVB rays, while Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution brightens skin.

Nordstrom.

Giorgio Armani Travel Size Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick Set – $10.50 Off

If you bought each of these Giorgio Armani products separately, you’d be spending $54. But this set is just $24.50 — for now! You get a travel-size Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 405 Sultan (a velvet-matte red), travel-size Eyes to Kill Classic Defining & Lengthening Mascara and travel-size Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow in 45 Gold Foil.

Nordstrom.

BeautyBlender Makeup Sponge Set – $10.50 Off

You truly can never have too many makeup sponges. This cute BeautyBlender set has a retail value of $56! You get two full-size sponges and two heart-shaped solid soaps to keep all your tools clean.

Nordstrom.

Mario Badescu Full Size Drying Lotion, Face Mist & Lip Balm – $3.45 Off

With a retail value of $33, this breakout-friendly set is an incredible deal. You get full sizes of Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater, Drying Lotion and Rose Lip Balm.

Nordstrom.

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting Treasures Set – $40.50 Off

This limited-edition set is a must for any skincare fan. It includes a full-size Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream Enriched, travel-size Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate Serum, travel-size new Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Eye Cream and travel-size new Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask. How luxe!