Month: December 2023

If your wardrobes are bursting at the seams, but you still find you have nothing to wear, you’re not alone. It’s time to get ruthless and be honest with yourself. Here are 5 things taking up valuable space in your wardrobe that you can declutter today!

Clothes You Are Keeping Out of Guilt

We all have things in our wardrobes that we overstretched ourselves to buy. We loved it so much that we splurged a lot of money on it, but somehow it has never quite worked out.

It gets overlooked each and every time we look for an outfit to wear. Yet we can’t bring ourselves to get rid of it because we feel guilty about the money we spent. It’s a tough decision but it’s time to say goodbye.

The money was wasted at the time we bought it, and no amount of time is going to bring that money back. And on top of that, do we really want that negative guilty feeling each time we open the wardrobe door? Let the item go and let the guilt go with it.

You may want to look into second-hand consignment stores in your area or online websites that allow you to sell and purchase used goods. Knowing that you at least made a few bucks back from your purchase may lift a little guilt. 

Clothes You Want to Get Into

Now we come to the age old issue that we keep in our wardrobes items of clothing that don’t fit us. Whether we yearn to be bigger or smaller, many of us keep clothing that doesn’t work right now in the hope that it’s going to happen for us some time in the future.

The key is to be realistic and honest with yourself. Are you currently on a diet that is realistically going to get you to where you need to be? How long is it since you were that weight?

If it’s been years or decades since you were the right size to get into that skirt you love, maybe now is the time to say goodbye. After all, if we achieve our weight goal, don’t we deserve to treat ourselves to something new?

Have you heard of clothing swap parties? Bring the items in your closet that you don’t wear or that don’t fit and other women do the same. What is old to you will be new for someone else. You may even find a new skirt that you love that actually fits.

Shoes That Hurt Your Feet

If you have been a shoe lover all your life, chances are you have some shoes – THOSE shoes that you really, really love – sitting at the bottom of your wardrobe. They take you back to a place when you could wear the heels you wanted, look amazing, and feel fantastic.

But time played its part, and your feet are sadly not what they used to be. You favour comfort over height or style now. You have your go-to favourites that work for you, and you know what you like. But you still yearn to wear THOSE shoes.

Is this even realistic? Are your feet miraculously going to switch back to the feet they were in your 40s? It’s not an easy realisation to come to, but the likelihood is that you are never going to get back into those shoes. Life’s way too short for sore feet. Declutter them today, and let someone else enjoy them.

Office or work shoes that you no longer need can be donated to clothing outlets, like Dress for Success, that help women get back into the workforce. 

Multiple Versions of Our ‘Safe’ Clothes

Black trousers, a little black dress, a floaty top, a cashmere sweater – everyone has a go-to item. An item that is safe, that makes us feel good, and never lets us down. We know it works for our shape, so we buy it over and over again.

Because it works so well for us, we tend to buy one every season, or even the same item in multiple colours.

But the problem is, even with our safe clothes we will still have our favourites – the perfect colour, the little black dress that looks the nicest, the version that’s most comfy – and we repeatedly choose our favourites when we are looking through our wardrobe each day.

Even within our safe clothes, the ones lower down the list get overlooked. So, it’s time for more of that honesty. Put your whole collection of ‘safe’ clothes together and rank them.

The ones that are below number 5 or 6 on the rankings are definitely up for debate. Don’t give up valuable space in your wardrobe for things you never wear.

DIY or Gardening Clothes

So, you have made a decision that you no longer need an item but it still has wear in it. It’s a perfectly good item of clothing so why get rid of it?

You have the perfect solution. Wear it when you’re doing dirty jobs – DIY, cleaning, or gardening. But how many outfits do you have for ‘dirty’ jobs? You definitely don’t need more than one or two. Don’t delay your decision. Send it straight for recycling today.

Further reading, SUITCASE CLOSET CLEARING – OR HOW I GOT MY CLOSET IN ORDER.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is your wardrobe bulging at the seams, but you struggle to make the right decisions? What is your go-to safe item of clothing? Have you fallen foul of having too many clothes for ‘DIY’ jobs? Use the comment box below and let us know about your wardrobe decluttering efforts.

Originally posted at: Erika Girardi’s Lip Gloss

As part of humanity, we all experience loneliness occasionally. I know I have. When I was first divorced in 2000 and found myself spending major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas alone for the first time, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I remember the first time I set up my own little Christmas tree in my first apartment at 43 and lifted ornaments from a box with my children’s pictures from years gone by, I cried. My daughter was wayward by that time, and my son was living with his father and his father’s mother – the perfect storm.

I turned on myself.

Thoughts of what did I do to deserve this, and I just wasn’t good enough to keep things together, danced their dirty dance in my brain. They taunted me. They poured fuel on the fire of self-blame and disgust.

The sense of loneliness was almost overwhelming, and I wanted to throw a lavish pity party complete with party favors crafted to look like guilt and shame. But I found that I was the only one attending and it was no fun at all.

Understanding Why We Might Feel Lonely

Loneliness is more than just the absence of company; it’s a complex emotional state that can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health. Whether our feelings of loneliness stem from retirement, an empty nest, divorce, death of family and/or friends, or simply overwhelming feelings of isolation and feeling invisible, the impact of loneliness can wreak havoc in a variety of ways.

I’m here to tell you that you can triumph over loneliness! Sometimes it involves winning an internal fight, sometimes it’s sweeping out the cobwebs of resentment, and sometimes it’s a gentle movement of emotions.

Here Are My Favorite Five Approaches to Gain the Upper Hand Over Loneliness

1. Find Your Happy Place

I look back on my early days of aloneness, wondering why I allowed myself to wallow instead of taking intentional action. What I do now during holidays or other trigger times is engage in “happy place” activities like cooking 5-star meals for myself and actively involve myself in things that bring me joy like going to the gym or reading my favorite personal development books, or binge watching The Office, Andy Griffith, or I Love Lucy.

These are my happy places, and I’m guessing you have activities that move you into your happy place, too. Perhaps it’s being out in your garden tending to your plants or vegetables. Or maybe you love to go for long nature walks or paint or create something on an online platform like Canva.

2. Join Community Groups

Embracing community involvement can be a powerful antidote to loneliness. We can explore local clubs for women over 60 or engage in volunteer opportunities where we can connect with like-minded individuals. This not only provides a chance to make new friends but also fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. We are often the wisdom in the room!

3. Embrace Technology… or Not

In the digital age, technology offers incredible opportunities for staying connected. Women can join online communities, participate in virtual classes, or engage in video calls with friends and family. Platforms like Zoom and social media can bridge the gap, allowing for meaningful connections irrespective of physical distances.

I’ve enjoyed many Zooms with my Nigerian pastor friend living in the UK, although I must confess that it messes with my ears to hear his Nigerian accent and then he’ll include his grown children who have very pronounced British accents. I love that in today’s digital climate we can literally talk and “see” people from around the globe.

Conversely, we may need a time-out from technology. After all, we are bombarded by tweets, buzzes, dings, and dongs on our phone. It may seem counterintuitive to cut yourself off from the online world when you’re experiencing loneliness, but quiet nature walks or finding a swinging park bench to swing like a kid while you collect your thoughts can be wildly helpful in connecting you to Someone larger than yourself.

4. Explore New Hobbies

Nothing combats loneliness like exploring new hobbies and interests with others who like those same things. Sites like meetup.com and eventbrite.com or even nextdoor.com provide opportunities to explore events for people with mutual interests. Engaging in activities that bring joy not only fills time but also opens avenues to meet new people. Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, joining a book club, or taking up a creative pursuit, these endeavors can be fulfilling and socially enriching.

5. Cultivate Meaningful Relationships

Quality over quantity is essential when combating loneliness. It’s emotionally healthy for women over 60 to invest time and energy in nurturing existing relationships and building new, meaningful connections. This could involve reaching out to old friends, attending social events, reunions, or participating in group activities that align with personal interests.

Create a Fulfilling, Enriching Life You Love

By adopting these five approaches, you can create a fulfilling and enriching life that you love. Finding your happy place, joining community groups, embracing technology, exploring new hobbies, and cultivating meaningful relationships are powerful tools to gain the upper hand on loneliness.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

In what ways have you personally experienced loneliness, and what approaches have you found effective in combating it? Reflecting on your relationships, how have you cultivated meaningful connections, and what advice would you give to others seeking to do the same?

Have you ever made a resolution you didn’t keep?

I know I have. Maintaining resolutions can be challenging. Research suggests that around 8% to 10% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

Does it stop you from making resolutions? For most people, the answer is a big no, and it’s easy to understand why.

The start of a new year symbolizes a new beginning, an opportunity for a fresh start. Often it follows a period of reflection on the past 12 months, which can lead to a heightened awareness of personal goals, aspirations, and areas for improvement. This is coupled with a general sense of optimism that the new year brings, fueling the motivation for positive change.

Many people look for ways to ensure their motivation and commitment last beyond the initial burst of New Year enthusiasm and there are many simple steps you can take:

• Set specific goals that are realistic.
• Create a plan and break it down into smaller, achievable steps.
• Track your progress.
• Stay flexible and learn from setbacks.
• Seek support.

Or alternatively, you can lighten your load and simplify things a bit. You can make a resolution to simply color outside the lines in the year ahead.

Breaking free from the ordinary and adopting a mindset that welcomes novel experiences and unexplored avenues has a transformative power that we should all experience as often as possible.

Outside-the-Box Thinking

Here are a few of the beautiful benefits of thinking outside the box for 2024.

Cognitive Stimulation and Brain Health

It keeps the mind agile, creating new neural connections and maintaining overall brain health.

Adaptability and Resilience

Trying new things and thinking outside the box fosters adaptability.

Social Connection and Emotional Well-being

Learning and trying new things often involve social interactions, which are crucial for emotional well-being, and is associated with a longer, healthier life.

Physical Health and Active Aging

Trying different forms of exercise, sports, or recreational activities contributes to overall fitness and helps prevent or reduce age-related health issues, such as cardiovascular problems and joint stiffness.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

Thinking outside the box nurtures creativity and innovative thinking. This, in turn, enhances problem-solving skills.

Sense of Purpose and Fulfillment

Learning and trying new things can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It adds layers of meaning to life, preventing a sense of stagnation that can happen as the years go by.

Stress Reduction and Improved Mental Health

Novel experiences can break the monotony of daily routines and offer a welcome escape from stressors.

Positive Impact on Longevity

People who continually seek out new experiences lead more fulfilling lives, potentially contributing to an extended and healthier lifespan.

In essence, learning new things, trying new activities, and thinking outside the box can significantly contribute to healthy aging by promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

How Can We Do It?

Here are some ideas for stepping outside your comfort zone in 2024. Please consider, or reconsider, them now as the first step in growing in the new year.

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Close to Home or Abroad

This nonprofit organization helps build and improve places for families to call home. Volunteering with them can be an enriching experience, offering people of all ages a chance to give back to the community, learn new skills, and engage in physical activity.

Go on a Silent Retreat

Silent retreats are periods spent in silence and reflection, often at dedicated retreat centers. They can offer a break from the busyness of daily life, an opportunity for introspection, and the mental health benefits of meditation and peaceful surroundings.

Participate in Storytelling Events, Like the Human Café

Storytelling events are gatherings where people share personal stories with an audience. These events can be an empowering way to share wisdom, connect with others, and preserve your legacy through the power of narrative.

Join a Wilderness Survival Class

These classes teach participants how to survive in the wild using fire-building, foraging, and navigation skills. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, stay active, and enjoy nature while learning potentially life-saving skills.

Sign Up for a Graffiti Art Workshop

Graffiti workshops teach the art of spray painting in a legal and creative setting. This form of expression may be liberating and fun; it can improve hand-eye coordination and offer a way to be part of contemporary art culture.

Participate in a Flash Mob

A flash mob is a group of people who gather together suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act like singing or dancing, and then quickly disperse. It seems sudden only to onlookers and last-minute participants, however. There are groups of people who plan these things on social media and online. 

Joining a flash mob can add an element of surprise and joy to life and is a fun way to engage in physical activity and meet new people.

Body Percussion Workshop

This involves using your body to produce different sounds, like clapping, stomping, and tapping. Such workshops can be a great way to improve rhythm, coordination, and body awareness, and they often create a sense of community among participants.

See anything appealing? Have any ideas of your own? Look around and see if there’s anything in your area, and if not, consider a mini vacation to travel just for it.

This willingness to step outside our comfort zones is an investment, in a future not defined by age but by our experiences. So, as the calendar turns its pages, let’s paint a different picture of ourselves. One in which we think creatively, explore new horizons, and color outside the lines.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you incorporate a sense of adventure into your daily life, and what positive effects have you noticed on your well-being? What’s one new thing you’ve always wanted to learn or try but have yet to have the chance to? How do you plan to make it happen in the coming year? 

Lisa Hochstein’s Pink and White Plaid Dress / Real Housewives of Miami Season 6 Episode 8 Fashion

Lisa Hochstein showed up to dinner in Palm Beach in a cute pink and white plaid dress with little hearts printed all over it. Though as soon as she sat down she wasn’t getting much love. There’s nothing worse than people criticizing your parenting, and she handled it with grace because I would have flipped that table. Just like I hope those of you who can’t get your hands on this pretty little piece will.

The Realest Housewife

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here for Additional Stock

Originally posted at: Lisa Hochstein’s Pink and White Plaid Dress