Month: April 2026

I turned 70 about six months ago and have noticed some changes in my physical ability, endurance and strength. I’m still very active, hiking up mountain trails at least once a week, doing strength training with a personal trainer one afternoon a week, working several mornings as a chef and take my dog for a mile jaunt almost every day.

It’s a full schedule and I enjoy all of it. But lately, I’ve been feeling a little less motivated and more fatigued. The immediate assumption is to blame it all on getting older. But I wonder.

So, I’ve set out on a quest to survey my peers and get their insights into when to adjust routines and how to tell if it’s physically necessary.

Antidotal Evidence

I asked my 80-year-old neighbor who I often find running the trails as I’m hiking. He explained his theory: “We can still do everything we’ve always done, but now must do it a little slower and more carefully.” A pragmatic and logical response, from a retired physician, not surprising.

I next quizzed my 93-year-old friend who I’ve always admired for her enthusiastic approach to life. She explained over a delicious lunch she prepared for me, that when her dog was failing, she reduced the length of her morning walks as to not exhaust him. After her beloved companion passed, she resumed her two-mile morning walks and reports feeling a renewed level of energy and reduction of body aches. She assured me that keeping her body performing at its upper limits is her secret to excellent health and well-being.

Another friend, just a few years my senior, does yoga at a weekly class. She credits her participation with keeping her feeling safe, confident and capable of doing whatever she feels inclined, knowing her balance and flexibility are up to the challenge.

The Data and Recommendations

I next queried the authorities. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, those over 65 should get an average of 2.5 hours of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise each week. Moderate to vigorous is described as any activity that causes increased heart rate and deeper breathing. (One should be able to talk but not sing!) It also recommends twice weekly sessions of strength training as well as activities like yoga and tai chi to maintain balance, improve proprioception and mobility.

I found more details on National Health Services of the United Kingdom, including a list of activities recommended for light, moderate and vigorous activities. It is important to note that things like digging in the garden, sweeping floors and biking to the market all count as physical activity.

To quote an article on the subject in the Harvard Health Publishing, from the Harvard School of Medicine, “Think about what motivates you to move – what are your reasons to get up in the morning? It might be family or social connections, volunteer work, shopping, participating in a cultural experience, enjoying nature, or walking a dog. Build more of these motivating experiences into your life to maintain your emotional and physical health.”

The Physiological Link to Motivation

Additional investigation reveals additional effects in play that can create an encouraging feedback loop. Exercise releases endorphins along with other chemical compounds that improve mood, a more optimistic and joyful mood motivates us to go out into the world and experience what we enjoy. The physical activity feeds our brain and our brain convinces us to keep going to enjoy the benefits.

The Secondary Benefit of Being Active and Engaged

There is also another component that seems to impact the determination to exercise and stay healthy and that is optimizing the experience, identifying the secondary benefit to the activity. My yoga friend enjoys the company of the others in her class and looks forward to seeing them. My trail running friend cherishes his time in nature and my elderly friend who is still walking miles every day relates that she feels a sense of accomplishment with every step.

Do More

The results of my informal investigation are not really surprising, but bear illuminating for what I should have suspected but didn’t, those individuals who have a positive outlook on life, in general, are socially engaged and active, who take good care of their bodies with adequate nutrition and physical activity responded unanimously that we must push ourselves through the times when we lack motivation and still work our bodies beyond our comfort.

So, it seems, the remedy to my recent decrease in motivation and enthusiasm for workouts, might simply be a good pep talk, a shift in outlook and coming up with some very good reasons why I should.

I have a sense these speed bumps are going to present themselves more often on the road through this decade and it feels good to know they are normal and just part of learning how to fully enjoy each era of this long life.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is your motivation to get up in the morning? Are there certain activities that energize you? How would you classify your state of well-being?

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*We think she is wearing shade ‘White Russian’. I have it and it looks the same!

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Working from home is no longer a temporary shift – it’s a lifestyle for many of us and one that many women over 60 happily embrace. No more going to the office! And if you share your home with pets, chances are they’ve fully embraced this change, too. To them, it’s the best thing that ever happened – you’re home all day.

While the novelty may have worn off for us, our pets still love the extra time and attention. The key is finding a balance that works for both of you.

How to Work from Home with Pets (Without Losing Your Mind)

Just like you have your workspace, your pets need theirs, too. Whether it’s a cozy bed in your office, a sunny spot by the window, or their favorite place on the couch, giving them a designated area helps create a routine. They get to be near you (which they love), and you get a little structure to your day.

As I write this, my dogs are exactly where they usually are – one curled up next to my desk, the other curled up just a foot away… despite having four beds in the room. I’ve stopped questioning it. If they’re happy, I’m happy.

Before your workday begins, take care of their needs. A nice walk, fresh food and water, and a little attention go a long way. Once that’s done, they’re ready to settle in – and so am I.

If you have a younger or more energetic pet, you may need to get a little creative. Keep a few toys nearby (preferably the quiet kind), along with safe chew options like bully sticks, or a Kong. You know your pet best – whatever keeps them occupied, safe, and content is a win. I tried puzzles, but it was a complete failure for us.

Meetings and Zoom Calls

Then there are the meetings.

Video calls are part of daily life now, and pets don’t always respect your schedule. A barking dog during a Zoom call happens. Fortunately, the mute button is your best friend – especially with deliveries, which don’t seem to slow down.

One-on-one calls can be trickier. If your dog decides to chime in during a FaceTime call, sometimes all you can do is apologize and hope the person on the other end is a pet lover. (Many are.) I keep a small water bottle nearby – not that I need it often, but somehow just picking it up does the trick. Thank you to my trainer for this one, though I have no idea why a squirt of water would stop them!

Working from home with pets isn’t perfect, but it’s absolutely doable. In fact, for many of us, it’s one of the best parts of our day. With a little routine, patience, and flexibility, you and your pets can coexist happily – and productively.

Making Your Home Work for Everyone

If you’re thinking about moving – or upgrading your current space – consider how your home accommodates both work and pets. A dedicated home office, plenty of natural light, easy-to-clean floors, and a backyard or nearby walking area can make life so much easier for you and your furry friends.

If you’re a woman over 60, and a pet owner who works at home, having a pet-friendly home makes working from home enjoyable for the whole family – four-legged members included.

Now… let’s get to work. 

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you a baby boomer with pets who works at home? Do your dogs and cats hang out with you while you work? Let’s talk about the challenges and the happy moments!

At a recent gathering, a client of mine found herself in a familiar social moment. Someone leaned in, smiled, and asked the question many women quietly dread in retirement:

“So… what do you do?”

She paused.

Not because she lacked an answer – but because none of the old ones quite fit anymore.

This is a woman who had a successful career. She led teams. Made decisions that mattered. Built a reputation over decades.

But now?

Without the title, without the structure, the answer felt… less clear.

Not empty. Not diminished.

Just undefined.

And that moment – more than any financial concern – sparked a question she hadn’t fully faced yet:

“Should I go back to work?”

A Growing Reality for Women in Their 60s

In my retirement and career transition coaching practice, this question comes up more often than you might think.

Women in their 60s aren’t “done.” Far from it.

They’re experienced, capable, and often still deeply motivated to contribute. But the desire to work again isn’t usually about necessity alone.

It’s about:

• Identity
• Engagement
• Relevance
• Connection

And sometimes, simply having a satisfying answer to that question:

“What do you do?”

But before jumping back in, it’s worth pausing to reflect. Because going back to work now isn’t about repeating the past. It’s about designing something that fits who you are today.

So, I’ve put together a few questions that might be helpful moving forward.

1. What Do You Want to Keep Using?

Many women start with:

“What should I do next?”

A better question is:

“What parts of my experience do I still enjoy using?”

After decades of work, you’ve earned the right to be selective. Maybe you loved:

• Mentoring others
• Solving complex problems
• Building relationships
• Leading – but not managing

The most successful late-career transitions aren’t reinventions.

They’re refinements.

You’re not starting over – you’re choosing what stays.

2. Where Does Your Experience Solve a Current Problem?

Your experience is valuable – but only if it connects to a present-day need.

This is where many women get stuck. They look backward at what they’ve done, rather than outward at where they’re needed.

Ask yourself:

• Who is struggling with something I’ve already mastered?
• Where could my judgment prevent costly mistakes?
• Who would benefit from what I know – right now?

This is the shift: From experience as history to experience as a solution. And that shift is what opens doors.

3. Do You Want a Job – or a Different Way to Work?

This is where you give yourself permission to rethink everything. Because returning to a traditional full-time job may not be what you actually want.

You might be drawn instead to:

• Consulting or project-based work
• Advisory or board roles
• Mentoring or coaching
• Starting something small and flexible

The real question isn’t:

“Where can I get hired?”

It’s:

“What kind of work structure fits my life now?”

Your time, energy, and priorities have changed.

Your work should reflect that.

4. What Are You Ready to Let Go Of?

This is often the most difficult step – and the most important. To move forward, something has to be released. It might be:

• A title that once defined you,
• The need to be seen a certain way,
• Work that no longer energizes you,
• The expectation that success must look like it used to.

Letting go isn’t about loss. It’s about making space. Because without that space, it’s easy to recreate your old life instead of designing a new one.

5. Are You Waiting for Clarity – or Willing to Create It?

Many women wait until they feel “clear” before taking action. But clarity rarely comes first.

At this stage of life, clarity is created through movement:

• Conversations with people doing interesting work.
• Trying something small before committing fully.
• Saying yes before you feel 100% ready.

Think of it as experimenting – not deciding.

Momentum builds insight. Not the other way around.

A Final Thought

Going back to work in your 60s isn’t about proving anything. It’s about aligning your experience with what matters to you now. You don’t need a 10-year plan. You don’t need the perfect answer.

You simply need a direction that feels:

• Useful
• Interesting
• True to who you are today.

That’s more than enough to begin.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been thinking about starting a work-related engagement? Would it be a job, a small project or something else?

Many women over 60 are surprised by how emotionally intense relationships with their adult children can still feel.

After decades of parenting, you might expect things to feel easier. More settled. Instead, many mothers describe something very different:

• Conversations that spiral unexpectedly.
• Emotional reactions that feel disproportionate.
• Lingering tension that doesn’t fully resolve.

One of the main reasons for this is something rarely discussed: emotional cycles.

Emotional Cycles

These cycles often follow a predictable pattern:

• A conversation or interaction
• An emotional trigger
• Internal processing (overthinking, self-blame)
• An attempt to repair or reconnect
• Temporary relief… followed by repetition

Understanding this cycle is the first step toward changing it. The issue is not simply what is being said. It’s how you are positioned emotionally within the relationship.

Many mothers continue to feel responsible for maintaining harmony, even when their children are adults.

This can lead to:

• Over-apologizing
• Over-explaining
• Difficulty setting limits
• Emotional exhaustion

Breaking the cycle doesn’t require cutting off the relationship or becoming distant. Instead, it involves developing emotional steadiness.

This includes:

• Pausing before responding,
• Recognizing triggers,
• Setting internal boundaries,
• Letting go of outcomes you cannot control.

Redefining Your Role

It also involves redefining your role. You are no longer managing your child’s life. You are relating to another adult.

And adult relationships require mutual responsibility. If you are consistently doing the emotional work for both sides, the imbalance will continue. Healthy boundaries help restore that balance. They are not about punishment or withdrawal.

They are about clarity:

• What you will engage with,
• What you will step back from,
• What is yours to carry – and what is not.

Many women find that as they begin to shift their responses, the emotional intensity of interactions decreases.

Not always immediately. But gradually. Because they are no longer reinforcing the same cycle.

If you recognize yourself in this pattern, you’re not alone – and you’re not stuck.

With awareness and small, intentional changes, it is possible to experience more peace in these relationships.

A helpful place to begin is 5 Truths to Help You Let Go with Love.

Let’s Discuss:

Have you noticed a pattern in conflicts with your adult child? What tends to repeat?