Month: June 2026

Spring 2026 was one for the record books! Yes, it was very dry in April, and very wet and unexpectedly chilly in May. But climate conditions were not the cause for alarm. The issues of concern were my noticeably diminishing stamina and body resilience while completing all the same gardening chores I’ve done at my home for the last 15 years.

My wooded, shady “Japanese-esque” property might be different from your standard flower beds and lawns, and its requirements have always been within my range. There are no lawns to mow (replaced by gravel walkways) and no dirt to dig on ground level. The main tasks include maintenance of four pachysandra beds contained within stone boundaries, a roadside parade of Ostrich ferns with some companion shady, deer resistant perennials, raised vegetable garden boxes and various large pots on rolling castors on the deck, including two miniature citrus trees. Sounds manageable, doesn’t it?

The emphatic answer is “NOT THIS YEAR!” The first notification that my 73-year-old self would feel differently was after a 2-3-hour stint, pruning pachysandras on only two of the four beds. Yes, they were neglected, having grown way past their stone boundaries. Yes, I was sitting on a little stool for the entire process. Unfortunately, my lower back did not get the memo that this task was a new challenge.

The next bodily notification was when I decided to plant all three raised vegetable boxes on my deck, all the hummingbird/bee attractors, and repot the citrus trees. Not paying attention to time, not drinking enough water, and not breaking for lunch all invited my lower back and stamina to a very dark place.

What Is Going on in the Gardening World with Senior Bodies?

I am happily at a place in my life where I am never competing with younger folks. The office dramas are gone, I’ve made peace with driving during daylight hours and avoiding highways when I can (which I’ve also written about), but I hadn’t yet extended these same courtesies to myself while gardening, and my body vociferously protested!

The quick answer to my dilemma is mechanical in nature: there are predictable, age-related changes in muscle strength, and joint flexibility as well as difficulties with body temperature regulation (soaked tee shirts and bandanas) and diminished skin resilience (where did that big scratch come from)?

All of these “lovelies” result in a gardening session with reduced energy for digging, pushing and carrying (caused by sarcopenia); weakened grip strength, noticeable while pruning; and not so subtle reminders from the knees, hips and lower back, courtesy of joint degeneration. In addition, faulty balance and slower reaction times make work on uneven surfaces noticeably precarious.

Gardening Is Hard for People of All Ages!

While trying to decipher my new maladies and wondering how long I could keep soldiering through my tasks each spring, I happily found a very encouraging YouTube video, courtesy of physical therapist Dr. Amy Konvalin. Posting on her YouTube channel, Physical Therapy for Everybody, Dr. Konvalin does a deep dive into the genesis of back pain from gardening and what seasonal gardeners of all ages can do about it.

Dr. Konvalin finds that many gardeners who are sedentary all winter act like weekend warriors at the first sight of a robin. Not accustomed to bending forward, twisting, and carrying heavy loads, these spirited gardeners try to do too much too quickly, using a body which has, for a long time, been sipping coffee and watching Netflix movies.

Gardening almost always involves bending forward, a movement rarely done in everyday life, hence the back strain. Eager gardeners can also forget how heavy those bags of mulch and soil can be when visions of gorgeous flowers and delectable veggies occupy the mind. In fact, all awareness of time and bodily needs seem to vanish in such rewarding tasks.

Her simple, easy to implement recommendations include switching between tasks every 15 minutes, stopping for breaks to eat and drink regularly, and stopping a task when you feel pain. Other ideas include holding heavy bags of gardening materials close to the body when walking and cutting off the top of the bag, turning it upside down and shaking out the contents, rather than holding the entire bag up and slowly removing the needed product.

She offers a simple PT tip to be done during gardening breaks when one feels pain, or after a gardening session: lay on the floor on the back with one’s knees bent, feet on the floor, arms outstretched. This reverses the curve of the back which results from prolonged bending over.

Pro Tips for Senior Gardeners

Common sense dictates that as one ages, it might be a good idea to reduce the number of beds to a small number close to the house (or fewer pots on an apartment deck). Raised beds, vertical gardening, trellises and hanging baskets provide wonderful venues for attractive plants without all the aches and pains of bending over.

Ergonomic tools such as power pruners, light weight long handled tools for digging and chopping up soil are helpful. Old tools can be wrapped in thick foam to make grasping them easier. Sit to stand helpers, small benches which have handles and can be reversed as kneeling pads or seats are a must! Finally, self-awareness of physical time limits is imperative. Working in the coolest hours of the day for limited amounts of time, sprinkled with breaks for food and drink are recommended.

Moving Forward with Adaptations

Thankfully, all my spring chores have been completed, and I am now benefiting daily. A cardinal vine, which usually doesn’t flower until August, has some blooms. All the little fertilizer spikes I put in the pots have made my plants bushy and bloom laden! The orange and lemon tree are beginning to blossom!

Note to self: I must record all the techniques I learned this year in my garden journal, and not set out on the first day of spring 2027 hoping to accomplish every goal.

My personal adaptations are many, and they include having the gravel walks sprayed in April with pre-emergent weed killer so I don’t have to spend the summer bending over pulling weeds. I’ve replaced all regular hoses with the very light weight contractable pocket hoses in three different areas. This makes watering the plants on the deck a snap, and the watering of the long stretch of ferns along the road less of a chore.

I’ve planted fewer plants on the deck. Also, I am not taking all the heavy tropical plants in my house outside for the summer. I’ve switched from terra cotta pots to plastic lookalikes, because they are easier to lift, and I asked for a battery powered leaf blower for my birthday!

Being kind to my body requires a spritz of insect spray, a sweat bandana around my forehead, and cool cotton clothing before venturing outside. I now fill up a thermos with ice water and break for a full lunch and rest after a reasonable period of work time. Next year I need to replace my too short little stool with a more body-friendly sit-to-stand product.

There is no doubt that the rewards of gardening are many. Practicing self-care in this realm is good practice for when it is also needed in other spheres of life.

Share Your Thoughts:

Have you faced any gardening challenges as you get older? What accommodations have you made? Have you given up gardening altogether?

When was the last time you made a summer bucket list?

Not a grocery list.

Not a to do list.

Not a list of projects waiting to be completed around the house.

I mean a list filled with simple pleasures, small adventures, and experiences that make you smile.

Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped planning summers for ourselves. We became busy raising families, building careers, caring for loved ones, and managing life’s endless responsibilities. Summer became something we helped create for everyone else.

But what if this year was different?

What if you gave yourself permission to create a summer filled with joy, curiosity, and a little bit of fun?

Here are three reasons why making a Summer Bucket List might be exactly what you need this year.

1. It Gives You Something Fun to Look Forward To

There is something magical about anticipation.

Looking forward to an experience can lift our spirits and add a little excitement to ordinary days. A bucket list creates moments throughout the summer that make you think, “I can’t wait for that.”

The best part? Your list doesn’t need to be expensive, complicated, or Instagram worthy.

A few things on my own Summer Bucket List this year include:

• Flying a kite on a breezy afternoon.
• Walking the Seattle waterfront.
• Visiting Christensen’s Nursery in Mount Vernon and wandering among the flowers.
• Enjoying a Baseball Nut ice cream cone from Baskin Robbins.
• Inviting friends over for brunch in the garden.

None of these are grand adventures. But each one will bring a little joy to my summer.

Sometimes that’s enough.

2. It Helps You Break Out of Routine

Have you ever reached September and wondered where the summer went?

It’s easy to fall into familiar routines and realize too late that another season has passed by.

A bucket list encourages us to be intentional. It invites us to say yes to experiences we might otherwise postpone.

Maybe it’s taking a painting class.

Maybe it’s visiting a nearby town you’ve never explored.

Maybe it’s attending an outdoor concert, riding a ferry just for fun, picking berries at a local farm, or spending an afternoon reading in a hammock.

The goal isn’t to fill every weekend with activity.

The goal is simply to create moments that feel different from everyday life.

Often, those small adventures become the memories we treasure most.

3. It Opens the Door to New Possibilities

One of the things I love most about a bucket list is that it reminds us we’re still growing.

Bucket lists aren’t only about places to visit or things to do. They can also be about experiences we’d like to explore and interests we’d like to revisit.

Perhaps there’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

Maybe you’d like to learn a new skill, volunteer for a cause you care about, join a club, or finally take a class that’s been sitting on your “someday” list.

For some women, that curiosity might even lead to exploring an encore career or considering a different job opportunity. Not because they have to, but because they’re interested in discovering what else might be possible.

The beauty of a summer bucket list is that there’s no pressure to make a big change.

Sometimes the most rewarding experiences begin with a simple question:

“What if I gave this a try?”

You never know where a little curiosity might lead.

What Will You Put on Your List?

As a Career and Life Coach, one of my favorite things is watching women give themselves permission to explore new possibilities, whether that’s a new hobby, a new adventure, or a new chapter.

A summer bucket list is simply another way of saying yes to yourself.

Your list might include travel, gardening, learning something new, reconnecting with friends, spending more time outdoors, or treating yourself to your favorite ice cream on a sunny afternoon.

There are no rules.

There is no perfect list.

The goal isn’t to accomplish everything.

The goal is to create a season you’ll remember.

My summer gift to you, a free Summer Bucket List Worksheet! Enjoy!

So Tell Us:

What’s one thing you’re putting on your Summer Bucket List this year? Share it in the comments below. You may inspire someone else’s next adventure.

Photos: @BravoTV

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Imagine yourself at a casual social gathering, where you find the courage to share a life event that deeply affected you. This simple act becomes an icebreaker, and soon, you’re bombarded with comments like, “You should write a book!” or “Your story needs to be heard.”

These reactions, though flattering, hint at a more profound truth that has the power to touch lives.

Challenges to Overcome

But do you? Do you truly grasp the value of your story, its impact on others, and the value it can leave behind? Is it worth remembering, let alone committing to print for the world to see?

Most people who believe they have a story to tell either a) can’t afford to hire a ghostwriter to write it, b) do not make the commitment to work with a ghostwriter who can expertly write it for them in their voice and style, c) do not have the confidence to tell their story, d) cannot imagine anyone would read it, or e) have a sense of self-loathing and feel writing their book is too much like self-promotion.

Legacy Writing

These concerns are not roadblocks, but challenges to overcome. Like any commitment in life, the key is to face them head-on. If you’re truly committed to sharing your story, it’s because you believe in its power to impact others. This belief is your greatest ally in the journey of legacy writing.

Legacy writing is a powerful tool for preserving your personal stories, history, or family history. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a personal duty and, at times, a pressing call to action, especially considering your age and health. Your children, friends, lovers, and even those once part of your life may discover a side of you they never knew, enriching their understanding of your life journey.

My Experience

For instance, I am assisting a military historian in writing his book. His account of his father’s involvement in WWII and the Korean War and his Air Force experience worldwide will testify to his family’s value of country first and can-do-it-ness, besides a valuable historical record for future generations.

That’s because the book is written like a novel, although based on historical facts. Working with a book coach is like being represented by a talent scout. Your coach sees the essence or gems in the story and knows how to excavate them to the page expertly.

Time Moves in One Direction

On the subject of age, we all feel the clock ticking on our journey here on earth. Unless you’ve had a traumatic experience or phenomenal success in some area of your life, like most of us, you’ve had your ups and downs and taken your path to overcoming obstacles – whether it took a long or short time, whether you were a late bloomer or had an early awareness of your life’s purpose.

The writing of a memoir often begins with the daunting questions of permission, story ownership, and truth-telling, which together can keep the writer from moving into a place where voice and story are free to emerge and the work of crafting their story can truly begin.

The process of learning how to move beyond any constraints to a place of creative clarity in your heart and mind allows the story to breathe.

By examining your life and writing about it, you might just find it adds years to it and is a key motivator reminding you “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”

Also read, “OH, I COULD WRITE A BOOK…” WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What story have you got in you? Have you tried telling it? Are there any fears/constraints that are stopping you at the moment?

Once you have discovered the undertone of your skin, you are ready to go in search of the lipstick and blush color – or colors! – that will brighten your complexion, enhance your whole appearance and possibly become life-long favorites or “signature” looks.

And, as an added bonus – when you find the best colors, you’re unlikely any time in the future to hear the phrase “you look tired” when you’re wearing your new “go-to” lip and cheek colors.

So, here are some thoughts and guidelines which I hope will make the process of “the hunt” a bit easier.

Try Lots of Different Colors!

Be prepared to visit a number of different department store makeup counters or head to a Sephora or Ulta store that carries a wide range of brands. Most of all, be prepared to try on more lipstick and blush colors than you ever realized might work for you.

And, let’s be realistic, you may have to make more than one trip to stores to try out lipstick colors and blushes. It’s rather akin to searching for a new perfume, but in this case, you can only deal with so many different colors at one time. I promise though, finding just the right color will be worth it!

Try colors out when you’re wearing little or no other makeup on your face.

If your natural lip color is quite dark, be aware that you may have to go a bit brighter, or brighter and lighter than you’re used to in order to find a color that really “pops” for you. Or, find a lip gloss that can brighten and lighten the look.

Test the lipstick color on your lips and the blush color beneath your cheekbone, not on your hand, wrist or arm. Since our lips are a different color than any other part of our body, we need to put the lipstick color on our lips to get a true “read” on what it will really look like.

Work with an Associate and a Friend

Be willing to work with a store associate who can suggest a few colors to begin with and can completely sanitize the products before you try them on. If you’re uncomfortable sanitizing products, check on the return policy of the store and take home a few colors that you think will work the best.

In fact, always check on the return policy of the store before purchasing any makeup product. And if you can, take a friend with you who will be absolutely honest with you.

Matte or Shimmer?

Stick with matte blush colors, no shimmer or glitter.

Do the opposite with lipsticks. Avoid mattes and stick with luminous lipstick formulations. Matte formulas can dry out our lips and age us. Or, if you absolutely fall in love with a matte lipstick color, find a gloss that you can put over it to make it come alive.

Try out glosses on top of the lip colors. They can lighten and brighten and add even more luminosity to colors which will make a world of difference.

Step outside your “comfort zone” to test-run some colors that you may not have tried or considered before.

To decide between two colors, put them next to each other – each one covering half of your upper and bottom lips. If you put one on the top lip and one on the bottom lip, chances are you’ll rub your lips together which will defeat the purpose of the comparison.

If you’ve narrowed down the colors and are trying to make a decision, shine your phone flashlight on the color and/or walk to an area of the mall or store to look at the color in natural light.

Take a picture of the colors as they appear on your face with your phone and look at them later. Just as you can be a more objective editor when you leave a piece of writing and come back to it later, you can be more objective when you look at the photos later as well.

You’ve Found It!

When you find and wear your Holy Grail colors, don’t be surprised if you hear comments like: “What have you done differently?” “You look so rested!” “Did you change your hair?” or “Wow, you look great!” And best of all, you can feel the confidence that comes with looking your absolute best.

And by the way, if after all your hard work the color should be discontinued, don’t despair. There are companies which “have your back” and can re-create your color from a sample. Awesome!

One Last Thought

Please know that what I’m sharing are simply guidelines. Feel free to wear and enjoy any and all colors that make your heart sing. We’ve certainly earned the right to have that kind of freedom and joy at this stage of our lives.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What have you found to be your most complimentary makeup colors? Do you have a favorite lipstick or blush that always generates a compliment? Please share your experience testing different makeup colors, and how you felt when you found the one that worked perfectly for you.