Author: Admin01

There’s a lot more to it than you think.

They’re worthy of a mirrorball trophy.

Over the years, I’ve had my share of odd jobs.

As a teenager, I took them to make pocket money for the essentials – glossy magazines with pinups of the day’s hunks and disco dance lessons. I did everything from babysitting to working at a dry cleaner’s to typing invoices for a psychotherapist.

As I got older, I continued to seek out this kind of work when I needed extra cash, also for the essentials. You know, things like the gas bill, food, and rent.

And while I never delivered a singing telegram or developed strangers’ vacation photos in an hour (or less!), I’ve had some curious side hustles over the years. But the strangest had one thing in common: they were disguised as fairly mundane positions. Like the one I had as a call center operator.

A Second Job, Three Clients, and One Line I Wouldn’t Cross

It seemed completely unremarkable at first. I took it as a second job for spare change during the holidays. The hours were flexible, and the tasks seemed simple enough: read scripted greetings, key in orders, and sprinkle in the occasional, “Excellent choice!” or “You have great taste!”

I started with one client – a well-known purveyor of gadgets, memorabilia, and fun, nonsensical stuff. When customers called in, they were asked for item numbers only, not descriptions. Management said this practice helped avoid order mix-ups. It also provided opportunities to say (in my most professional voice) things like, “I see you’ve selected our fart clock. You have great taste!” or “You’ve chosen our ‘How to Seduce Women’ kit. Excellent choice!”

A couple of weeks later, a renowned lingerie manufacturer was added to my list. Taking orders for the items in their catalog provided a whole new set of surprises. It was educational, too. I discovered the demand for French maid outfits, from both men and women, was broader than I’d imagined and that some customers were very particular about their fabric preferences.

But when the call center added a lifestyle company geared to older adults to my roster, things stopped being funny. I was expected to incentivize callers – many of whom I imagined had limited incomes – to purchase add-on products. Operators were told we couldn’t deviate from the script. So, I quit that night.

Filling requests for flatulent timepieces and leather bustiers? I was happy to do it. Talking people into purchasing trees that “grow five kinds of fruit” or commemorative coins? Not okay.

Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to have the freedom to walk away as well as how much that job taught me. Every strange task, every awkward call, reminded me of the power of choice: what we’ll do for a paycheck, and what we won’t.

Why Some Say “Yes” to an Odd Job Today

These days, a number of us – even those who’ve retired or cut back on work hours – consider odd jobs to experience something different, have disposable income, or help pay bills. Personally, I’ve dabbled in areas I hadn’t considered before last year, from consultation opportunities to a short stint working for a matchmaker. Like many women in their 60s, I’ve learned that sometimes the most unexpected work brings the richest perspective.

Whether it’s out of necessity, curiosity, or simply a desire to stay engaged, many in our community find themselves drawn to the idea of taking a side gig. The reasons, as listed below, can vary. But we often learn the most about ourselves when we try something new, even if it’s a little outside of our comfort zone, which is something traditional retirement doesn’t always provide.

A Little Extra Income

With cost-of-living increases, a part-time job can soften the edges without a commitment to full-time hours.

Structure and Purpose

A few shifts or side projects can add a pleasant rhythm to the week and a reason to get out the door (or log on).

Social Connection

Light work brings moments of community you can’t always get at home.

Using What You Know

You’ve built decades of good judgment and skills that others will happily pay for.

Curiosity and Confidence

Trying something new can be invigorating. It’s also a low-risk way to test-drive a path before committing to it.

Not So Unusual After All

“Odd jobs” aren’t really that odd at all; they’re opportunities. They remind us that earning, contributing, and connecting don’t have an expiration date. Whether it’s for extra income, kinship, or the sheer joy of trying different things, these experiences can bring fresh perspective and unexpected confidence. Worst case scenario, you gain a story. (My call center job became storytelling gold!) Best case, you gain purpose, meet new people, and end up with a little cushion.

Every quirky gig, no matter how temporary or unconventional, can teach us valuable lessons about resilience and choice. We may not all find ourselves taking orders for X-ray specs or mystery tomato plants (and thank heaven for that!). But if we want it, there’s something powerful in saying yes to work that makes sense for us where we are right now.

You may also want to read Could a Side Hustle Gig Provide More Financial Peace of Mind in Your 60s?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you taken an unconventional job or side hustle? Is it a decision you’ve been happy with, or do you regret it? Did you ever leave a position because you were uncomfortable with its requirements? Share your thoughts and experiences with our community.

In response to a recent article about reasons not to date common in women over 60, I received this comment:

“All valid points. What is holding me back is my weight (overweight now) and having been celibate for over 10 years, the thought of intimacy. My body has cellulite, rolls of fat, wrinkles, spots, etc.”

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common concerns among older women re-entering the dating scene – especially after a certain age.

If you are one of those women who looks in the mirror and criticizes what you see – your face, neck, arms, breasts, hips, thighs, tummy, tush, or veins, your wrinkles, your age spots, or your rolls (oh, the list goes on!) – you are not alone.

But you do have a poignant choice to make.

My Moment of Truth

I had my own moment of truth years ago, long before I was coaching women over 50 in dating and relationships. I was looking in the mirror, hating what I saw, and slowly abandoning my intimate life – not because I wasn’t interested, but because of body changes and not wanting to deal with the whole fact of having a body!

What I chose next changed everything. (I’ll tell you what that was in a moment.)

As a Dating Coach for Women Over 60

I’ve now coached thousands of women our age on dating, self-worth, and body confidence. Out of the 34 possible obstacles to finding and maintaining healthy love, this one – poor body satisfaction and low self-esteem around appearance – is on almost everyone’s list.

And here’s the inflection point you face. You have 3 choices:

Choice #1: Give Up

You can keep beating yourself up, blaming age, metabolism, social media, and Western culture for your insecurities. You can stay in the cycle of shame eating, overanalyzing your body size, and comparing yourself to younger women.

With this choice, you are likely to go in for quick fixes from the wellness industry or flirt with plastic surgery ideas, only to feel temporarily hopeful – and then you’ll be right back to “giving up.” You’ll feel powerless, and you’ll surround yourself with others who validate that powerlessness, but deep down you’ll know you are cheating yourself of some sorely needed self-love.

Choice #2: Accept Your Body Exactly as It Is

This one takes real courage. It means asserting that your physical appearance is not a problem to be solved.

The right person – the right match – will love you exactly as you are.

There are men who love rolls, don’t even notice cellulite, and think wrinkles are sexy.

Self-love and acceptance are magnetic. Your body language, your laughter, and how you carry yourself at a dinner date or when meeting new people on dating apps will reveal your self-love and make you attractive.

Reminder: Men aren’t nearly as critical as you are of yourself. (If you don’t believe me, read my post on what men actually want.)

Choice #3: Change What You Can, Accept What You Can’t

This one is the hardest – and the most balanced. It starts by acknowledging that, yes, your body changes over time. Fat distribution shifts. Hormonal changes and menopause alter your body in countless ways.

But you can influence your physical fitness, your well-being, and your attitude toward yourself. Small consistent actions – a daily walk, strength training, how you eat and drink – boost body confidence and vitality faster than any “quick fix.”

This was the choice I made. It started by changing my relationship to sugar, because it was doing the most damage to my body, moods, and self-esteem. As soon as I cut sugar, I felt better, rested better, slimmed down, and started to feel sexy again.

You, too, can feel sexually attractive, powerful, and desirable again.

The Truth About Attraction and Confidence

Here’s what I’ve learned in my years of experience coaching women daters:

The less you think of yourself, the lower caliber partner you attract.

Your perceived dating pool reflects your own level of self-love. It’s just another reason to really focus on how you treat yourself before turning your attention to the attention of others.

Finding and enjoying love after 60 isn’t about changing this or that about your body shape, per se; it’s about reclaiming true body satisfaction and feeling as alive and in your power as humanly possible.

Want to learn a better way of dating, one that helps save you from repeated disappointments? I made this free webinar for you.

You’ve lived through more than most people. You’re wiser, braver, and more capable of deep intimacy than ever before. So please – don’t let negative body image rob you of your next great love story.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How has your body image reflected on your dating life? Has it stopped you from meeting new people? What would body confidence look like to you?

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