Month: November 2024

When I first retired, I had this fantasy about sleeping in. I pictured myself lounging until 10 a.m., with the sun already high in the sky, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. I’d be well-rested, with a full day ahead to read, exercise, and maybe conquer the world – or at least the daily Wordle. But reality, menopause, and my weird anxious brain hit with a vengeance. I am an early bird, and apparently, there’s no retirement from that.

Even as a kid at sleepovers, I’d wake up at the crack of dawn, wide-eyed and ready to start the day, only to find myself alone in a sea of snoring friends still in their sleeping bags. While they dreamed away, I’d quietly tiptoe through unfamiliar houses, searching for anything to keep me occupied until the rest of the house came to life. Mornings were my golden hours then, and they still are now.

Work Stories: The Perks of Being an Early Bird

As a teacher, I loved arriving at school by 7 a.m. The best part of my day was that peaceful stretch of time before the chaos began. The coffee tasted better, the air didn’t yet contain those “funky kid odors,” and I had a couple of hours to myself – no students, no meetings, just me and my productivity.

My teacher friend, on the other hand, had a different strategy. She had been groggily wondering how many more times she could slap the 7-minute snooze button before 7:15 a.m. – a very complex math problem, indeed. She’d roll into the parking lot at 8:20, running through the school doors like the last-minute entrant in a marathon. She’d give me a wild-eyed look that screamed, “Get out of my way, woman!” as I calmly held my now-cold mug, teacher chores more than halfway done.

In those early mornings, I managed to accomplish more before 9 a.m. than some people do all day. And that’s where the magic of being an early bird lies – you feel like you’ve hacked the system, snatching precious, quiet hours while the world sleeps.                             

Peck, peck, peck.

Retirement Realities: The Awesome Life of an Early Riser

You’d think retirement would change things. But no, I’m still up before dawn, smugly doing my caffeine-fueled yoga, feeling victorious over my to-do list before the rest of the world stirs. My friend? She’s finally found the joy of sleeping in, only to wake up at what I would call mid-morning, still bleary-eyed. I love having my mornings all to myself. The peace of the early stillness feels like a reward, and now it’s uninterrupted by the demands of a workday.

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

Retirement Woes: Schedule Struggles

This leads me to the sad part of being an early bird in retirement – everyone else seems to be on a different schedule. My friend and I still struggle to meet in the middle. I’ll text her at 7 a.m. with a brilliant idea for the day for our podcast, Bird Battle Episode, only to be met with radio silence until after 9 a.m. (or 10 a.m., if she’s feeling extra indulgent).

And in retirement, with our flexible schedules, that divide has only gotten wider with my other night owl friends. By the time they wake up, I’ve already solved world hunger, organized my sock drawer by color, and ironically, baked an apple pie.     

Gobble, gobble, gobble.

There’s a real loneliness to this. Even when we’re all technically “free,” we live in two different worlds. It’s like being in parallel universes – mine starts at 6 a.m. and theirs doesn’t really kick in until the afternoon. Are they in the wrong time zone, or am I? I do find comfort that some of my family and friends contain this early bird gene, and our “late game nights” end when the sun goes down.             

Hoot, hoot, hoot.

Conclusion: Naps and Common Ground

But there’s one thing both early birds and night owls can agree on in retirement: naps. Whether you’re up at dawn or burning the midnight oil, by the time you hit 60, naps become a non-negotiable part of life. And let me tell you, if I could’ve snuck in naps during my teaching years, I’d have been a much happier afternoon person!

What I didn’t know I didn’t know was that no matter how different our schedules may be, we all get the same 24 hours in a day. Whether you’re an early bird like me or a night owl like some of my friends, there’s no right way to tackle retirement. Some of us rise with the sun, ready to face the day, while others prefer to let the day come to us. We’ve learned to embrace our differences – and our naps. Because after all, what’s life without a little diversity in our lives and in our sleep schedules?

So, here’s to all the early birds and night owls out there. May your mornings be peaceful, your nights be restful, and your naps be plentiful. And if you ever need to call me, just know I’ll probably answer – whether it’s 6 a.m. or 11 p.m.

I’m an early bird, but I’ve always got time for a friend.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which ‘bird’ are you? Do you prefer basking in the glow of the sunrise or the soft flicker of Netflix at 2 a.m.? What is the best/worst part of being your type of bird? How many cups of coffee does it take you to join the land of the living? If you don’t drink coffee, what is your secret?! And more importantly, when’s your nap time?”

These top brands are never this cheap!

As we enter our 50s, many of us begin to take a serious look at our lives. What are we doing for our careers or jobs and is this what we want to continue to do? Or maybe we’ve been stay-at-home moms and are figuring out what’s next now that our kids are gone and we are faced with empty nests.

We often take a serious look at our health habits and want to make changes. We may look at relationships and friendships and decide to invest more time in those as we get older.

Many of us at this juncture are wanting to take time each day to find and do the thing that brings us joy.

As you embark on this journey – figuring out what’s next AND taking the steps needed to make it happen, there are three things to be ready for along the way. For some of us, these can be hurdles.

After going through each of them, I see them now as opportunities for growth along the way.

Boundaries May Need to be Set Along the Way

As you begin to reflect on what you’d like to be doing each day and how you’d like your life to look, it’s helpful to first consider what your values and priorities are currently.

Although our values don’t always significantly change as a function of our age, our priorities often do! My husband and grown kids are always a priority for me, but they don’t need me on a daily basis as they had in the past. So, I’m able to prioritize myself more than I have at any other time in my life.

And, I’ve had to set boundaries with people who don’t respect that. It’s not been easy to do, but it’s been beneficial for my own emotional health and ultimately my relationships with the people involved.

Sometimes those boundaries are internal ones. We often struggle to tell people “no” when they ask us to do something. But, what I’ve realized, is that when I say “yes” to someone or something who is not a priority, I’ve ended up saying “no” to someone who is.

And that doesn’t work for me in this phase of life.

Sometimes the Journey Can’t Be Done Alone

If you find that fear, anxiety, negative core beliefs, or anything else is stopping you from pursuing those things that bring you joy, seek help! In whatever form that might look like for you, including:

• Life coaches;
• Counselors;
• Friends;
• Communities of like-minded people who share your interest and are doing the things that you want to be doing.

It is completely normal to feel resistance when you begin to step outside your status quo. But it’s a shame to let this interfere with you doing the things that you want to be doing.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who can mentor you along the way if needed.

Dream Big – Don’t Censor Yourself

Often, when the women in my community are working on my workbooks or reflecting on what an ideal day might look like, they censor themselves. For example, someone may start to picture an ideal day and incorporate travel around the world as a part of that. And then, they may stop themselves, saying, “That’s silly. That’s never going to happen. I’m not going to even write that down.”

And from there, their ideal day brainstorming is completely squelched.

Don’t censor yourself. Journal it all. Write it all down. The woman in the example may not travel the world. But this thought might lead her to plan shorter day or weekend trips throughout her year. It might lead her to exploring fun things to do in her local area.

Or maybe she’ll travel the world!

Censoring yourself robs you of being able to examine the trends in what you want from life as you move forward. Let the thoughts flow. They can lead you places when you don’t stop them.

Setting boundaries, not censoring yourself, and seeking help when needed can all be very big steps. But they are all opportunities for immense growth as we reflect on what we’d like our lives to look like on this side of 50.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you looking to make some life changes on this side of 50 or 60? Do you anticipate places or people where boundaries may need to be set? How easy or difficult is it for you to seek out help along the way?

Do you wear your hair long? Are you trying to grow out your hair? Keep reading to discover several low-maintenance long hairstyles (with photos) that work beautifully for women over 60, offering ease and elegance for all hair types.

Long Hairstyles That Are Low-Maintenance

While aging hair may require some extra care, maintaining length doesn’t have to mean spending hours on styling. 

Loose Waves

Loose waves are a timeless option for long hair that adds a touch of softness and femininity. This style requires minimal effort—a simple curl with a large barrel curling iron or heat-free methods like braiding overnight can achieve natural-looking waves. The beauty of this look is that it can be tousled for an even more effortless finish, making it perfect for women who want to look polished without much fuss.

How to maintain: Use a lightweight, hydrating mousse or salt spray to encourage natural waves and avoid frizz.

Sea Salt Spray for Textured Beach Waves & Volume

Long Layered Cut

Adding layers to long hair can bring movement and dimension without sacrificing length. A layered cut frames the face and adds body, which is especially beneficial for fine or thinning hair. The layers can also enhance natural texture, making it a versatile choice for wavy, curly, or straight hair.

How to maintain: Regular trims every six to eight weeks will keep layers fresh. Styling can be as simple as air-drying with a little texturizing spray.

Classic Straight

For women with naturally straight hair or those who prefer a sleek look, a classic straight style is chic and easy to maintain. Modern straight styles don’t require a pin-straight, flat-ironed finish; instead, a soft straight look with a bit of volume at the roots can be both youthful and sophisticated.

How to maintain: Use a heat protectant spray when blow-drying and opt for a smoothing serum to control flyaways.

Hair Food Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Leave-In Spray for All Hair Types

The Low Ponytail

A low ponytail is a practical and stylish solution for women who want to keep their hair off their face without elaborate styling. The ponytail can sit at the nape of the neck for a sleek appearance or be slightly loosened for a more relaxed, casual look. You can also wrap a strand of hair around the hair tie for an elegant touch.

How to maintain: A smoothing serum or light hair gel can help keep the ponytail neat without making it stiff.

NEXXUS Ultralight Smooth Hair Serum for Dry and Frizzy Hair Weightless Smooth Hair Treatment to Block Out Frizz Against Humidity

Long Bob (Lob) with Bangs

The “lob,” or long bob, with bangs is an ideal choice for women who love long hair. It’s still long enough to be styled up or down and easy to manage.

How to maintain: A leave-in conditioner spray can help add shine and prevent split ends. This cut looks great whether styled straight, wavy, or air-dried.

Redken One United Leave In Conditioner

Side-Swept Bangs with Long Hair

Adding side-swept bangs to long hair can instantly modernize a look and provide a flattering frame for the face. Bangs can help soften features and draw attention to the eyes while allowing you to keep the length of your hair intact. They also blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair as they grow out.

How to maintain: Trim bangs every few weeks to keep them fresh and style with a round brush or just your fingers for a natural look.

Long and Natural Curls

For women with naturally curly hair, embracing your curls is a beautiful and low-maintenance option. Long, curly hair can look voluminous and full of life without much effort. To keep curls defined and frizz-free, incorporate a moisturizing routine that includes curl creams and leave-in conditioners designed for curly hair.

How to maintain: Allow hair to air-dry as much as possible and avoid brushing dry curls. A wide-tooth comb is ideal for detangling.

Half-Up, Half-Down

The half-up, half-down hairstyle offers the best of both worlds, keeping hair away from the face while still showcasing its length. This style can be as simple or as polished as you’d like, whether you tie it back with a simple hair tie or add a twist or braid.

How to maintain: This style works well on both freshly washed and second-day hair, with a bit of dry shampoo or texturizing spray, adding volume and grip.

Living proof Dry Shampoo

Tips for Maintaining Long Hair After 60

Hydration Is Key

Aging hair tends to be drier, so regular use of a hydrating shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment can help.

Protect Your Hair from Heat Damage

When using hot tools like a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightener, always apply a heat protectant spray.

Go Easy on Washing

Washing hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils. Try washing every 2-3 days and using a sulfate-free shampoo for gentle cleansing.

Regular Trims Are Essential

To maintain healthy long hair, regular trims every 6-8 weeks will prevent split ends and keep your style looking fresh.

With minimal effort, you can enjoy a timeless, elegant look that complements your unique personality and lifestyle. Whether you prefer waves, layers, or a simple ponytail, there’s a perfect style for you to rock those lovely long locks!

Read Long or Short Hair Over 60?

Also read 31 Bold Hairstyles for Women Over 60 from Real-world Icons of Style.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you wear your hair? If long, what is your usual style? Do you have tips and tricks for low-maintenance long hair? Tell us about it in the comments below. 

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