Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

What’s going on with the Waleses?

It’s the perfect date night.

One of the wisest things I heard as a young woman was that “you can do it all, just not all at once.” I know this from experience. I was trying to do it all: be a professional, a mother, and an activist for social causes. With time, I learned that I could, but over many years!

Some may recall the 1968 television advertisement stating, “You’ve come a long way, baby.” This ad proclaimed that these cigarettes, “designed for a woman’s hand,” were “slimmer than a man’s fat hand.” It’s no longer fashionable to smoke, but women have come much further in the last 62 years. Women are getting college educations, excelling in all fields, from science to engineering, and playing increasingly important leadership roles.

The Women in My Family

My grandmother, born in 1887, was 31 when she gained the right to vote in Germany. Unlike many of her generation, she graduated from Oxford University but gave it up when she married. Her two sisters had careers but never married. My Great Aunt Gertrude was a nurse. She became the head nurse in the Hamburg Jewish Hospital.

My Great Aunt Lottie was a pediatrician, and she was my doctor in New York City after fleeing Hitler’s Germany. My mother graduated from college with a teaching credential. However, she stopped working to raise my sisters and me in the 50s. She returned to teaching only after we grew up, but regretted never getting a Master’s Degree.

My Journey as a Woman

In high school, I loved writing. My English teacher encouraged me and wrote on one of my pieces, “I can’t wait to see you in print.” I loved writing, but when I entered college in the early 70s, I also pursued teaching like my mom. At that time, primarily teaching, nursing, secretarial work, waitressing, and domestic jobs were open to women.

At Sonoma State University, I discovered feminism and became active in the women’s movement. We started a rape crisis center, raising awareness, providing support to victims of rape, and teaching self-defense.  At that time, it was still legal for a man to rape his wife. My eyes were opened to many more things, among them domestic violence and unequal pay for women doing the same jobs as men –problems that still exist today.

Back then, I questioned whether I had landed in teaching because it was an acceptable field for women. So, I decided to travel. First, I traveled to Guatemala and collected stories from Indigenous women for a book I never finished. Then, I went to Nicaragua for three and a half years, volunteering at the Ministry of Education.

I helped obtain a grant to produce educational programs and was trained in television production. There, I met my husband, a videographer, and we produced programs about early childhood education that were aired on national television. Boldly, I announced that I planned to change my profession to film-making and television.

Doing It All, Simultaneously?

At that time, I still believed I could do it all at once. I was 30; my biological clock was ticking. Luckily, I got pregnant quickly, and soon our baby was born. We even included her in our film, Quiero Aprender Desde Ahora (I Want to Learn, Starting Now) about stimulating a young infant’s intelligence.

Eventually, my husband, baby, and a young daughter from his first marriage returned to the US. I got a job in a non-profit organization devoted to stopping US intervention in Central America. After three years of successfully building an anti-intervention movement, taking community college courses in television production, and raising two daughters, we wanted another child.

Revising My Approach

That was when I realized I could not “do it all” simultaneously. I’d need more education if I wanted to change careers. And raising three children without higher salaries would not be possible. Besides, there were not enough hours in the day!

So, I dusted off my credential and returned to teaching. I decided that I could pursue my love for film-making later. Thus, I started teaching again and eventually became a school principal and district superintendent, realizing my goals as a feminist by assuming leadership roles. I am not sorry; I loved working in education.

Over these last 40-plus years, I have been able to do all of it – in my way. I also recognized that I needed to slow down to do it right and take care of myself along the way. By the way, I don’t want to minimize the adversity that touches every life – health issues, losses, failures, and other challenges. I have had my share.

However, I did return to film-making and am proud to share a short film I produced in 2017, Our Family, a Film About Family Diversity, with thousands of views on Facebook. Ultimately, I returned to my passion for writing and have published educational books about identity safety, the idea that every student, indeed, every person, can flourish if their identities are validated. That includes supporting the rights of girls and women who want to be leaders, scientists, or other professions, breaking out of traditional roles.

Yes, we have come a long way as women, but we need young women to understand that these victories have been hard fought, and we need to stay the course. I meant to get this blog out during International Women’s Month, but getting it out in April just shows that yes, we can do it all, just not at the same time!

Also read, International Women’s Day – Does It Help the Cause?

Let’s Connect:

What are your stories as women who have grown up over the same time in history? Have you faced any struggles and how did you grow in your own right as a woman?

When was the last time you engaged in a life hack? For me, I didn’t even know what that term meant until a friend asked me about the life hacks concept a couple of years ago. The more I read about it the more intrigued I was.

Much to my surprise, it turns out I had been engaged in life hacks for a good portion of my adult life. I just didn’t refer to many things I did to make my life better with that term.

So, what exactly does “life hack” even mean? And how can your awareness of life hacks positively improve your sense of joy, fulfilment, and overall health and well-being?

To answer these questions, we are starting an exclusive new series for Sixty and Me readers, titled “Life Hacks for Women Over 60.”

What Is a Life Hack?

A life hack typically refers to a strategy, technique, or unique but simple change that can significantly improve your personal and professional life, making it more efficient, enjoyable, or manageable.

Life hacks can maximize your well-being, health, and happiness while minimizing stress, discomfort, or unnecessary complications.

Given the unique challenges and opportunities that often come with being a woman over 60, life hacks can take on a deeper meaning for us at this stage than at earlier times in our lives. In this context, a life hack for you could encompass a wide range of activities or adjustments, such as:

• Health Optimization: Finding simpler or more effective ways to maintain your physical and mental health, such as easy exercise routines, diet changes, or mindfulness practices.
• Social Engagement: Utilizing technology or community resources to stay connected with friends and family or to make new social connections.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Modifying your home environment for more comfort and safety or adopting self-love routines that enhance the quality of your life.
• Time Management: Streamlining daily tasks or obligations to create more time for leisure, hobbies, or relaxation.
• Learning & Growth: Adopting new learning methods or exploring hobbies that are both mentally stimulating, emotionally uplifting, and enjoyable.
• Financial Simplicity: Implementing straightforward financial strategies for budgeting, investing, or saving to ensure financial stability and ease of managing your finances.

10 Life Hacks for a Vibrant Life

Here are 10 simple yet effective life hacks that can improve your overall well-being, increase your happiness, and improve the quality of your life:

Create Self-Love and Self-Care Rituals

Self-love and self-care practices will vary for each person, but activities such as meditation, reading, listening to music, massages, time in nature, laughing more, or taking spa days at home and elsewhere are essential go-to life hacks. These activities can reduce stress and deliver measurable benefits to your emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Embrace Technology

Technology is a powerful tool for staying connected with people, managing health, and pursuing interests. Learning to use smartphones, social media, and various apps can enhance communication and provide access to a wealth of information and entertainment.

Prioritize Physical Activity

Regular exercise tailored to your ability and health status can significantly improve physical and mental health. Activities like walking, yoga, swimming, or gentle strength training can maintain mobility, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and boost mood.

Read How to Restart Your Walking Habit.

Nurture Social Connections

Actively maintain and build social connections by joining clubs, groups, or classes online and offline that align with your interests. Strong social ties are crucial for emotional support and mental health.

Mindful Eating

Proper nutrition is key to managing your emotional, mental, and physical health. Mindful eating is also excellent for maintaining your energy levels and preventing age-related health challenges.

Lifelong Learning

Keep the brain active and engaged by learning new skills or hobbies. Whether it’s a new language, musical instrument, or artistic craft, lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and is a great source of joy.

Volunteer

Volunteering can be a fulfilling way to give back, connect with others, and find purpose. It’s also a great way to stay active and engaged in your community.

Streamline and Organize

Decluttering and organizing your living space leads to a more manageable and stress-free environment. It can also be a cathartic process, bringing a sense of calm, emotional balance, and order.

Financial Planning

Financial security can bring peace of mind and stability. Stay on top of financial health by setting a budget, planning for the future, and perhaps consulting with a financial advisor.

Adopt a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset and maintaining a positive attitude is essential to your overall happiness. Let go of a fixed mindset and instead, embrace optimism and explore new ways to enjoy everyday life.

The Essence of a Life Hack

Implementing these life hacks will come down to making sure the ones you are drawn to are aligned with your values, needs, and desires without requiring significant overhauls or investments.

Remember, the essence of a life hack is found in its ability to create more fulfilling experiences, not make your life busier or overwhelming.

Everyone will resonate with and be drawn to different life hacks. Ultimately, a life hack is about enjoying life to the fullest by being, doing, and experiencing what your heart desires after 60.

I invite you to join me in the video, where I will share additional insights on hacks along with journal prompts to help you integrate what you’re learning.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are some life hacks you have found useful and helped improve an important area of your life?

Were the judges right?