Month: March 2026

I’ve always thought of myself as quite independent. If I wanted to do something, I usually just did it.

Growing up in a household where I wasn’t really allowed out unless my mum lied for me, I became quite a rebellious teenager. I moved out at 16 and learned quickly, sometimes the hard way, why my dad was trying to protect me from the outside world.

That rebellious streak made me believe I didn’t care what anyone thought.

Well… that’s what I told myself.

I Cared More Than I Wanted to Admit

It wasn’t until years later, through various courses and studying the Unbreakable Mindset Methodology, that I realised I did care. More than I admitted.

When I first became a coach, I had moments where I thought, I’m not experienced enough to coach anyone. Who would want to be coached by me?

I ignored decades of lived experience. I softened myself. I introduced myself as someone who had “transitioned from marketing” instead of simply saying, “I’m a coach.”

Even with the tools, I held back.

So yes, even the coach had to coach herself.

And that’s the point.

We Worry We Will Be Judged by Others

No matter how independent we think we are, most of us hesitate at some point because we’re worried how it will look. Whether people will understand. Whether we’ll be judged.

But the truth is, most people are far too busy worrying about their own lives to dissect ours. And the small percentage who do judge? That usually says more about them than it does about us.

So the real question becomes: how long are we going to wait?

Living According to What’s Important to You Now

There comes a point where you stop needing everyone to understand your choices. You stop over-explaining and shrinking just to fit in, and you start living in alignment with what matters to you now.

Not who you were 10 years ago. Not who you were in your 20s, 30s, 40 or 50s. And not just the version of you everyone relied on.

One practical way I’ve seen this come to life recently is something called Vision Board Bingo. I loved the simplicity of it.

Vision Board Bingo

Instead of creating a vision board that sits on the wall, you create a bingo-style grid. Each square holds something you genuinely want to do this year – big or small. When you complete one, you mark it off. If you get a line, you choose a reward. If you get a full house, even better.

It’s just about actually doing the things that matter to you. Even if no one else really gets it.

We spend so much time waiting for approval that we forget we’re allowed to choose.

It’s easy to create your own, but if you’d like an already made simple Vision Board Bingo template to get started, you can download one here: Vision Board Bingo Template.

And if you’re in a season where you’re ready to make choices without over-explaining them, I offer free one-to-one discovery calls where we can explore what living in alignment might look like for you now.

Let’s Start a Conversation:

Do you think you don’t care what anyone thinks? Is that how you live or have lived your life? What’s most important to you now?

Years ago, I flew to Baltimore with my broken leg in a cast, in a wheelchair with the leg extended. My family stood guard around me but an incursion at the gate left me reeling. A woman came barreling up to the agent, in a panic, and smashed my cast with her bag. I saw stars.

In the last few years, I’ve damaged my shoulder and my decades of living with rheumatoid arthritis added to the injury. Simply put – my shoulder tears are partly a result of lifting and dragging heavy baggage through airports. Through trial and error, because I fly often, I’ve developed strategies to keep me safer when traveling by plane. This advice applies to other forms of transport as well.

Pack Efficiently

I’ve learned that I don’t need as many clothes choices as I once brought on a trip. Wearing the same outfit on multiple days lessens the load in my suitcase and strangers don’t notice the repeats. Many travel experts recommend specific types of clothing that mix and match and are appropriate for a variety of climates, leaving baggage lighter and easy to manage.

This YouTube travel couple provides links to products they test and share with their viewers. I wear one of their recommendations, a smart wool top, when traveling because of its versatility through different types of weather.

Black Vionic sneakers help my stability by providing sure footing. They also work with dark slacks as an outfit that goes from daytime conference to dinner at a nice restaurant. Two or three nice blouses, like the ones from NYDJ, take up little room in a suitcase and don’t need ironing on arrival. I roll most of my clothing and use packing cubes to keep smaller items together. And, finally, I make sure my suitcases have well-oiled wheels and are easy to steer.

Reserve a Seat

I prefer an aisle seat but, since I’ve injured my right shoulder, I pick a seat against the window, protecting that arm from others. If traveling with my husband, he goes on my injured side. Choosing your seat is an upgrade on most airlines, though some, like Southwest, do offer seat choice for free to a limited number of passengers who book early enough.

Contact the airline via chat or phone in advance if your disability makes it difficult to sit in the middle seat and see if they can work out a better location for you. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s been my experience they are willing to try. As airlines institute more fees for seat location, look into programs that offer you upgrades for miles or points and consider that extra charge for a reserved seat a gift to your body, if it’s your only choice.

Check Your Luggage

My baggage is not your baggage. If you have difficulties lifting into the overhead for any reason, consider checking your bag. For me, it’s worth $40 to save my shoulder from more stress and strain. In addition, some airline credit cards grant you one free checked bag, else you can often gate check at no upcharge.

The extra time you’ll spend at baggage claim is a small sacrifice when compared to added injury caused by lifting or dragging your heavier suitcase through large airports. If you cannot manage these strategies, then ask the general question when boarding, “Can someone help me lift this?” An able-bodied soul will come to your rescue, and no one will feel pressured to cater to you.

Don’t assume that six-foot tall man is able to toss your bag in the compartment. He may have a torn deltoid muscle or a swollen disc in his neck. If you do have to lift your own bag, take time to set your stance and use good body mechanics. And remember, the flight crew have to preserve their joints too and are not obligated to help you.

Admit Your Issues

Wear your sling, bring your cane, board early. My physical therapist recommends I travel with my sling in place, making it obvious to other passengers to steer clear. An inadvertent bump will send shock waves through my arm. I board the plane with the disabled group after checking with the gate agent.

If my husband is with me, he stows my carry-on. I use a super-compact roller bag for my computer and kindle that slides under the seat. My typical purse is a cross-body bag with RFID for security that tucks into my carry-on. I wear my cross-body through the airport to make it easier to access my wallet and phone and keep my belongings safe when in restaurants or restrooms.

Bring a Pillow

I travel with a small pillow that I use to bolster my arm. Depending on your personal issue, the pillow can be used on the plane, at the hotel, or in your rental car. I’ve found squishy pillows useful to wrap under sore joints. Bring a pillowcase to keep the pillow itself clean. Most travel pillows can be thrown in the laundry when you get home.

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Create Smart Habits

Invest in travel clothes that make it easy to navigate the aisles and restrooms. Wear what you’re comfortable in and carry a lightweight scarf to use when the fans are blasting on the plane. I wear an N-95 mask when boarding and deplaning because of my autoimmune disease. If 150 people are going to pass by me in the aisle, sneezing or coughing over my head, I want to avoid their germs.

Many people wash their seat arms, tray table, and seatbelt with an antibacterial wipe when flying. In my estimation, it can’t hurt.

Don’t Rush, Don’t Panic, Slow Down

We’ve all seen passengers who arrive at the airport too late, running to their gate, dodging the crowds, and making it dangerous for all of us. Try to get to the airport early enough to avoid a mad dash. If you travel often, invest in security options like TSA precheck and Clear Plus which cut down your time in line.

Check the TSA app to see history-based wait times in airports. An added benefit to the app is that you can inquire about appropriate items to carry on the plane. Pay attention to what’s restricted so as not to delay yourself and those behind you when going through TSA checkpoints. Most importantly, plan ahead. Order your taxi or ride share early in case of extra traffic or an accident.

Check travel time on the road to the airport with Waze or another map app. Read the signs and electronic boards in the airport carefully once you arrive. I’ve sat at an empty gate when my plane had a last minute gate change, leaving me to hustle once I discovered the problem. If you get confused, ask airline or TSA employees for help.

Please don’t be that panicked traveler who smashes their bag into a broken leg.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your tips for keeping healthy and avoiding injury when traveling by air? Do you have favorite products that make it easier for you navigate airports?

Awards season may not seem like the most obvious place for a woman in her 60s to look for fashion inspiration. After all, much of the coverage focuses on young starlets in gowns that appear designed more for spectacle than for real life. And most of us are unlikely to find ourselves invited to anything resembling the Oscars, the Tony’s, a royal coronation, or the Met Gala.

Still, that doesn’t mean the red carpet has nothing to offer in terms of style inspiration.

While the average week might revolve around errands, dinners with friends, or travel plans, formal occasions do still appear on the calendar. A black-tie wedding, a fundraising gala, a milestone anniversary party, or a retirement celebration can call for something a little more glamorous than our usual rotation. When those moments arise, the red carpet can be surprisingly useful, not as something to emulate exactly, but as a place to gather ideas.

Fashion Inspiration Is Everywhere

I have always treated fashion this way. Inspiration is everywhere if you’re paying attention. A woman crossing a city street in a beautifully cut coat can spark just as much curiosity as a designer gown sweeping across a red carpet. I tend to watch awards season with the same mindset. I don’t have a desire to copycat any of these high-glam looks, but I do feed my fashion fever by noticing color combinations, silhouettes, and styling details that I can translate into real life.

Women Who Understand Elegant Presence

In recent years, some of the most interesting lessons have come from actresses who are well past the ingénue stage and clearly enjoying the freedom that comes with it. Kathy Bates, Jean Smart, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, and Jamie Lee Curtis have all mastered the art of red carpet dressing that blends style with dignity and unmistakable presence.

What makes their approach so refreshing is that none of them appear to be chasing trends or competing with women half their age. Instead, they lean into elegance with a sense of playfulness. Helen Mirren might appear in shimmering metallics or rich jewel tones that highlight her silver hair.

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A post shared by Helen Mirren (@helenmirren)

Diane Lane often favors beautifully tailored gowns that feel timeless rather than theatrical. Jean Smart has a knack for sophisticated silhouettes that suggest quiet confidence rather than showmanship.

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A post shared by Jean Smart (@realjeansmart)

Jamie Lee Curtis brings a slightly edgier sensibility to the carpet, often opting for sleek, sculptural designs or sharply tailored pieces that emphasize structure and strength.

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A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)

And then there is Meryl Streep, who has long understood something many women quietly appreciate: sometimes the chicest accessory in the room is simply being yourself. She has appeared on red carpets wearing her glasses, an understated gesture that signals comfort with who she is rather than adherence to some imagined Hollywood rulebook.

Glamour Without Overexposure

Collectively, these women offer a useful reminder that glamour does not require overexposure. In fact, the opposite is often true. A beautifully cut gown, a dramatic sleeve, a column of saturated color, or a perfectly tailored suit can deliver far more impact than a dress engineered around cutouts and plunging necklines. Elegance comes from proportion, fabric, and confidence.

Translating Red Carpet Style into Real Life

For women in their 60s and beyond, this is where the red carpet becomes genuinely instructive. The luxurious velvet seen on awards night might translate into a velvet jacket worn to a winter gala. A sleek tuxedo-inspired ensemble could easily become the perfect outfit for a charity dinner, or the jacket, worn with jeans and a white t-shirt, can upstyle an everyday look. Even a bold color choice like magenta, aqua, or tangerine can inspire ways to refresh favorite outfits.

Accessories offer another easy translation. Awards season jewelry is rarely subtle, but its spirit works beautifully in everyday dressing. A striking pair of earrings or a sculptural cuff can transform a simple outfit into something memorable without requiring head-to-toe reinvention.

A Little Permission to Dress Up

What the red carpet ultimately provides is not a dress code but permission. It reminds us that dressing up can still be joyful, expressive, and a little theatrical when the occasion calls for it. Watching high-profile women of a certain age step onto the carpet with poise and personality makes it clear that style does not fade with age. If anything, it becomes more interesting.

So, when awards season rolls around, I grab a glass of wine, settle in on my comfy couch, and start thinking about what details I can bring to my special occasion dressing. I notice the silhouettes that feel elegant rather than excessive, the fabrics that move beautifully, the colors that seem to glow under the lights. Those small observations eventually find their way into real life – perhaps at a wedding, a gala, or some celebratory evening that calls for a little extra sparkle.

If awards season glam reminds us of anything, it’s that inspiration for signature style and vibrant living can be found anywhere, if we choose to notice it. From a red carpet moment to a woman passing you on a city street, the ideas are there, waiting to be translated into something that feels entirely your own.

If you’d like a steady stream of that kind of inspiration, check out Spark 60, my weekly dose of style, curiosity, and lived-in wisdom. Think of it as your gentle nudge to keep evolving, keep experimenting, and keep saying yes to a life that feels just a little more brilliant.

Also read 2026 Style Reset: How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe at 60 (Without Buying Everything New).

Let’s Have a Conversation:

From where do you draw outfit inspiration? Do you watch any of the award galas? What outfits have you seen that you’ve decided to replicate?

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Originally posted at: Sutton Stracke’s Eye Masks

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