Shortly after Karen and I decided to launch a business together,
she put some temporary brakes on it. Whereas for me this next stage was just a
pivot in direction for my freelance writing career, Karen felt she couldn’t
open the door to our new venture until she closed the door on her old one.

She’d devoted heart and soul to software testing for 33 years, and
she was having trouble transitioning out of that industry. She thought she
might achieve closure by writing a
farewell letter to her career. She wanted to make two things clear to her
profession: they had a good thing going together, and here’s why it’s necessary
to break things off.

This “Dear Job” letter worked very well for Karen. Writing it all
out provided her with a sense of relief, as if she’d flicked the pain of
separation off her shoulder. And if she’d been the only one to read it, she
says that would have been good enough.

A Farewell Letter Gone Viral

But she wasn’t the only one – far from
it. Karen’s international reputation as a seasoned expert in her field had
earned her an impressive LinkedIn and Twitter following.

She’d been quiet on those platforms recently, so people took
notice when, seemingly out of the blue, she posted a link to her explanation of
what was going on with her.

The points Karen made resonated within her industry and beyond it.
She was showered with comments, tweets and emails. People shared the link, and
within two weeks it had attracted more than 13,000 views.

A newsletter in the tech field asked permission to run the
farewell, and she even received two job offers in case she wasn’t serious about
dropping out.

Most important to me, of course, is that Karen’s focus is now on
our new business, Home
Memoir. She’s relaxed and so glad she wrote and published her letter.

You can achieve this same closure if you’re leaving a career. Just
write it all out! Based on Karen’s letter, here’s how you can structure your
farewell:

Introduce the Matter

Give a little preview of what this letter is about. Karen wrote,
“In tech (and perhaps in most industries these days), no one will be giving me
a gold watch to say thanks and to send me on my way, so I am doing this for
myself.”

The Good: Why You Were Together So Long

Karen broke her good memories into two parts – the specifics of benefits inherent in a successful career in her
industry, and then the growth she experienced that she could apply to other
types of work and to her personal life.

The first part included perks such as travel, flexibility, and
intellectual satisfaction. The second covered triumphs like overcoming a fear
of public speaking and learning to stand up for her ideas in a male-dominated
profession.

Why You’re Leaving

Things were good for decades, so what changed? Like Karen, you may
want to cut down the long hours or acknowledge that your passion for the
industry has begun to soften. Maybe it’s begun to feel like a first chapter in
your professional life, not the whole book.

My favorite sentence in Karen’s letter is: “I used to be one of
the young ones, and I was young for a long time and then I wasn’t.”

What’s Next for You

You don’t have to rub it in, but it’s only fair to inform your
career about your plans, right? Software testing was a surprise career for
Karen, who has a degree in journalism and figured she’d probably be a newspaper
reporter or work in some related writing position.

Although she did blog for trade journals in the tech field, she
wanted to delve full-time in writing and publishing.

Close on a Note of Gratitude

Karen used her final paragraphs to thank colleagues. It was
important to her to wish everyone well.

Karen’s not looking back. She turned down the job offers and uses
her days to write, exercise, spend time with family, and build our business – exactly what she wants to be doing now.

After writing your own farewell letter – whether just as clarity and closure for yourself or as a vehicle to
share your thoughts with a wider audience – you may
find yourself relieved, open, and ready to face your next step.

How long have you been in your career? Are you
sensing a shift? What might that shift be? How do you plan to make your
transition? Would writing a “Dear Job” letter be something that could bring you
closure? Please share your thoughts and let’s have a conversation!

International Women’s Day is on Sunday, March 8, and it’s a great time to not only honor and celebrate those women who came before us, but also those who continue to inspire us on our life journeys.

Even though many of us who are baby
boomers have now become role models for future generations, we still have fond memories
of special women who have greatly influenced our lives.

Living in a Different Age

In general, we women of a certain age
are young at heart. Most of us grew up during a time of optimism and growth,
and we want to continue to live life to the fullest. We have no interest in
retiring at 65; in fact, many of us feel more vibrant and energetic than ever.

We are proud of the fact that we look
younger than our actual years, because we take good care of ourselves. Needless
to say, we have stood on the shoulders of giants, but who were these
individuals? Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on those women who impacted
us at a deeper level earlier in our lives.

On a personal level, there were many
women who paved the path for me and set the stage for my role as a powerful woman.
Some were friends, relatives, and professional colleagues, while others were
those who I knew through their work or writings.

My Earliest Role Model

My grandmother was probably my
earliest and most significant influence. She lived with us and was my caretaker
while my immigrant parents worked long hours at their retail store in Brooklyn.
My grandmother, who was orphaned at the age of 11 during World War I, had a
worldview that strongly influenced mine.

She was grateful for her life, and
because she lost her parents to cholera at an early age, she learned to be
happy with very little. I was an only child, and my existence gave her a
purpose.

When I became more independent and
started walking to school by myself, her role as a woman shifted. She no longer
felt needed, and sadly, she took her life while living in my childhood home.

Lessons from Grandmother

As a 10-year-old, my grief ran deep, so
to help me cope, my mother gave me a Kahlil Gibran journal where I could write
letters to my grandmother. Within those pages, I thanked her for having spent
the first 10 years of my life with me.

I also expressed gratitude to her for
sharing three very important passions – journal writing, needlepoint, and dancing. (In fact, my parents met at a
dance hall in New York when my mother was dropping off my grandmother so she
could dance!)

And when I was about eight years old,
she taught me how to needlepoint. I started on a larger canvas and would sit
beside her as she needled on a smaller-holed canvas. I still have the three
needlepoint chairs she made, which are now more than 100 years old.

My grandmother wrote down her
thoughts regularly while she was alive, and I was blessed to find her journal, where
she’d written down the details of her life as an orphan in Poland during the
war.

Finding this journal was a true gift
and was the basis for one of the books I authored: Regina’s Closet: Finding
My Grandmother’s Secret Journal.

Other Influential Figures

During my adolescent years in the
1960s, there were very few female role models, but since that time, and with the
advent of the Women’s Liberation Movement, more and more women started to rise
to new heights. The second wave of the movement was that of “feminism.”

Many feminists influenced and
inspired the woman I’ve become, and their achievements helped me realize that
the sky is the limit and that I should always follow my passions.

Some of these women were political activists
as well as being accomplished professionals: Anaïs Nin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline
Onassis, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Gloria Steinem, and Arianna Huffington, among
others.

Eternal Wisdom from Those Long Gone

I am now 65, and many of my former
role models have passed away, but the memories of what they taught me will be
with me forever. And the truth is, we no longer need role models – we now fulfill that role for
future generations… and
what a huge responsibility that is!

I realize the importance of daily reflection,
and the value of facing my fears and sharing my stories, as doing so will help young
women navigate their own journeys. I want to constantly remind them to listen
to their hearts and to live out their dreams.

The gift of life is precious, and we
have no idea how long we will be on this planet, so we need to make the most of
every single day.

Who were your role models back when
you were younger? Which lessons you learned from them are most vivid to you
today? To whom are you a role model at this stage in your life? Please share
your thoughts and stories with our community!

The wonderful world of wigs never ceases to amaze me. Honestly, it seems like every time I look up, there’s a new wig innovation or method circulating the interwebs, making wigs looks more realistic than ever before. Might I also add that they’re becoming incredibly easy to perfect at home and are putting all other methods of hair extensions to shame (sew-in weave who? I don’t know her). One of the latest innovations to sweep me off my feet are 360 wigs.

As the name suggests, 360 wigs are an elevated version of the now-standard frontal wig, providing lace closure all around the perimeter of the wig. 360 wigs allow even more versatility than its predecessors. If you ever wished you could throw your wig into a sleek high ponytail, then it’s time you add a 360 wig to your shopping cart and make it happen, captain. And though the name may suggest otherwise, you definitely don’t have to be a wig pro to effortlessly slay a 360 unit. But of course, you can always connect with a pro to install whatever style you purchase if you’re a newbie or simply low on time.

However, there’s also the magical world of Youtube where the number of vloggers who know their way around all kinds of wigs is growing at warp speed. Speaking from experience, there are so many 360 wig tutorials that in just a day of binge-watching, you can gain the necessary tools to confidently install a 360 wig without any help. Additionally, one of the hardest things in life—outside of choosing a nail color—is picking the right wig for your style and skill set. If you need a little guidance on which 360 wigs to add to your collection, here are 10 of the best options you can shop from the comfort of your couch. 

Bobbi Boss.

Bobbi Boss Teagan 360 Glueless Synthetic Lace Wig

We get it—not everyone is comfortable with the idea of gluing down a wig. If you fall into that category, allow me to introduce you to this glueless 360 wig from Bobbi Boss. If you’re concerned with your wig staying in place, you can always opt for a wig band like the “rollercoaster-proof” Wig Fix. Problem solved—hair slayed!

Buy: Teagan 360 Glueless Synthetic Lace Wig $62.99

Luv Me Hair.

Luv Me Hair Breathable 360 Wig 

Available in body wave and straight textures and lengths ranging from 12 inches to 26, Luv Me Hair’s 360 wig gives you options. You’ll also enjoy the breathability of this wig that allows you to flaunt flawless hair without overheating in the process.

Mayvenn.

Mayvenn Hair Virgin Brazilian Deep Wave 360 Wig

If you’re looking for a 360 wig that’s affordable but also high-quality hair, Mayvenn offers the best of both worlds. Not only are their 360 wigs affordable relative to some other brands out there, if you purchase a Mayvenn Hair wig, you can also get it installed for free using one of the stylists in their network. If that’s not a steal, then I don’t know what is!

Ali Pearl.

Ali Pearl Deep Wave Pre-Plucked 360 Frontal Wig

Springtime is near and the first thing you should put on your spring to-do list (besides spring cleaning, of course) is a vacation. Nothing says vacay like deep wave hair that looks amazing wet or dry! This hair texture allows you to go from the beach to dinner flawlessly. After all, who has time to deal with keeping their wig straight when they’re just trying to have a good time?

It’s a Wig.

It’s A Wig Agita 360 All-Around Wig

In case you didn’t know, affordable yet fantastic synthetic lace 360 wigs exist! As with any other 360 wig, this wallet-friendly version from It’s A Wig can be styled up or down. And there you have it: proof that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to live your best wig life. 

Buy: Agita 360 All-Around Wig $79.99

Wow African.

Wow African Caramel Ombré Wave Brazilian Hair 360 Wig

Are you looking to experiment with color? If so, you can almost never go wrong with ombré. This hair color method is like baby steps for walking into full-on color. We promise after trying this ombré wig you’ll be “dyeing” (pun intended) to try other colors too.  

UNice.

UNice Kinky Hair 360 Wig

We get it—if it’s your first wig rodeo, the process can be intimidating. If you have textured type 4 hair, trying a wig that will mimic your texture may be the best way to get comfortable with the idea of one. The texture paired with the versatility of the 360 frontal is a recipe for wig success.  

Buy: Kinky Hair 360 Wig $86.90

YWigs.

YWigs Kinky Curly 360 Lace Frontal Wig

I’ll be the first to say that kinky curly hair, whether it’s growing out of your scalp or a wig, takes a lot of patience. It’s high maintenance but so beautiful and worth the effort. If you’re game for styling curly hair, this is one you need in your life. Just look at it in action in this Youtube unboxing video—it’s a dream. 

BeautyForever.

BeautyForever Pre-Plucked 360 Lace Wig

In my humble opinion, body wave hair is like an introductory class to wig wearing 101. It has more personality than bone straight hair but can be straightened easily without damaging the hair in the process. You can also do minimal styling and head out the door when it’s in its natural state. This pre-plucked 360 wig from BeautyForever was made with you having to do less work in mind for sure. 

Mane Concept.

Mane Concept Brown Sugar Panorama 360 Human Hair Blend Lace Wig

Proceed with caution—this wig isn’t for the faint-hearted. With warm weather right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to get comfortable with color. What better way to experiment than with an affordable 360 wig that gives you more bang for your buck?

Pizazz.

Pizazz Brazilian Deep Wave Wig Pre-Plucked Human Hair Wig

A high-density wash and go wig that delivers natural-looking fullness and a realistic-looking hairline from the nape of your neck to the middle of your forehead.

Buy: Brazilian Deep Wave Wig Pre Plucked Human Hair Wig $75.59

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Around a quarter of people over 65 suffer
from depression. That’s a huge number of people who are not enjoying life. For
some it’s because they are facing difficult medical treatment or are in
constant pain or facing death (either their own or a loved one’s).

Some people feel distressed that they are
coming to the end of their life. Many feel lonely or that they are no longer
useful. Some feel they are invisible now they have reached a certain age.

Others have money worries, but some are just
generally down and depressed for no specific reason. Are you one of those
people? Here are some evidence-based ways to become happier.

Maybe You Need a Hearing Aid

Many seniors resist the idea of a hearing aid, even when it’s evident to
everyone else that they would benefit from one. They make excuses or just
refuse to talk about it, often because they see it as a marker of “being old.”

If that’s how you feel, then you should read about the 2019 research from the
University of Michigan which found that older adults who get a hearing aid for
a newly diagnosed hearing loss have a lower risk of being diagnosed with
dementia, depression, or anxiety for the first time over the next three years.

They also have a lower risk of suffering fall-related injuries than
those who leave their hearing loss uncorrected. This research definitely makes
me want to get my hearing checked regularly. What about you?

Work Your
Skeletal Muscles to Increase Your Happiness

Exercise has numerous benefits in helping you
feel better about yourself. Here’s one you probably didn’t know about!

Research has shown that physical activity may help to
‘turn on’ genes within skeletal muscles. This can then influence the key
metabolic pathways that ultimately promote mood-enhancing chemicals within the
brain, which help you to feel happy.

Keeping our skeletal muscles strong helps to boost
our levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin, for example.

The problem is that as we get older our
skeletal muscles tend to deteriorate. We feel more fragile and we can do less.
This deterioration of our muscles influences those metabolic pathways, meaning
that fewer happiness chemicals are produced. Fewer happiness chemicals mean less
happiness.

But don’t give up. In 2019, researchers put
some healthy men on an exercise regime. In this case, it was strength training
and high-intensity workouts on a stationary bike. Researchers analysed blood
samples and changes to muscle before and after three months of exercise.

They found that there was enhanced gene
expression within the skeletal muscles, leading to more happiness chemicals
produced in the brain.

Of course, you need to keep exercising to
keep those muscles strong. And you need to work them hard – it’s not enough to
go for a leisurely stroll, even if it’s a long one. You need to do load bearing
exercises – weight lifting in the gym, resistance training.

You need to run or work out hard on a stationary
bike or other gym machines. If you feel too old or too unfit to go to the gym,
read my blog articles or check out my Instagram posts for inspiration.

Volunteer to Be Happy

Older people who volunteer are happier and
healthier, so they are less likely to be depressed. It seems obvious when you
think about it – volunteering means you are meeting new people, possibly
learning new skills and feeling valued and needed.

A 2014 research project confirms all this. The researchers reviewed
73 studies published over the previous 45 years involving adults aged 50-plus
who were in formal volunteering roles.

The review found that volunteering is
associated with reductions in symptoms of depression and better overall health.
Volunteers were also living longer than those who didn’t volunteer.

According to this research, you need to
volunteer for 2–3 hours per
week to feel the benefit. Volunteering for more hours didn’t increase these
benefits but may still be what you want to do.

Moreover, this same research found that
people with a chronic health condition benefitted the most from volunteering.
So, there’s nothing stopping you.

For more evidence-based health tips, check out my Health, Happiness and Wellbeing website.

What do you do to keep yourself happy? Do you
depend on others to do that for you or have you taken matters in your own
hands? What things/activities bring you the most happiness? Please share your
stories with our community!