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British slang is complicated.

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In our later years, our appearance becomes more than just a matter of vanity. It’s an indication of our level of health and well-being. Now, there is physical health and there is emotional health, and frankly, they both impact how we look.

So, let’s consider some practical and enjoyable ways to energize, balance, and upgrade how we look, starting from the inner to the outer.

#1: Stay Hydrated

Every cell in our body depends on hydration. We tend to take for granted the simple act of drinking water. But it becomes a crucial part of our health, especially as we age. This is due to several factors. As we age our thirst response decreases. Also, depending on how well our kidneys are working, we might have less hydration reserves. And then, there are some medications that can affect our body’s ability to store fluids.

De-hydration is a serious problem and can sneak up without our being aware. Insufficient fluid in the body causes not just dryness in the mouth, but one can experience a sudden feeling fatigue and lightheadedness. That’s a perfect formula for a fall. We don’t want to faint or fall at this stage because broken bones are one of the highest causes of mortality in those over 70.

It’s a good reminder to have “stations” in your home where you can place water bottles to give yourself a constant reminder to stay hydrated. And of course, carry a water bottle in your bag or keep it near you throughout the day.

#2: Sleep Well and Long Enough

This one is so obvious it shouldn’t require repeating. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror after a restless night you will immediately see why getting adequate sleep is a crucial step to looking your best.

But often, especially among those who are living alone, time can seem to slip away. All those digital distractions help avoid being reminded about that alone-ness. And before we know it, we’re turning into night owls… to our detriment.

The body’s circadian rhythms don’t lie. The sleep we get from 10 pm-2 am is when the body produces the most beneficial hormones and when we are most likely to experience the deepest state of sleep. Also, the pineal gland produces melatonin during the hours from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, so we should be winding down in those hours to prepare for sleep. Melatonin improves the quality of sleep, synchronizes the sleep-wake cycle, and regulates circadian rhythms.

Maybe the greatest benefit is that better sleep habits are the antidote to depression and “seasonal affect disorder,” brought on by those long winter nights.

Now, in general, women tend to need more sleep than men do. And, we tend to have more emotional and mental health issues than men if we don’t get adequate sleep. So that alone is reason enough to make healthy sleep patterns a part of our lifelong habits.

#3: Fix Your Posture

Here’s a little shocking fact for everyone who spends a lot of time looking down at their digital devices throughout the day. When standing still, on average, our head weighs from 10-12 pounds. But if you are hunched over looking down at your phone or laptop – even 15 degrees – that increases the gravitational pull on your back and neck muscles to about 27 pounds! At a 30-degree tilt, it’s 40 pounds!!!

Imagine what that does over time. This habit contributes to the posture that we associate with aging. Someone can judge your age based on your posture.

But the good news is, there are simple fixes.

For one, place your phone or laptop on a surface or on a stand that doesn’t require you to bend forward. Another is to take digital breaks at regular intervals. But a third is simply to practice postural alignment. So, here’s an exercise shared by my physical therapist. It just requires creating the exact opposite posture of the shoulder and head hunched one.

Sit squarely on your “sit” bones with your feet on the floor, a bit wider than hip width apart, toes turned slightly outward. Now, reach your arms out in front of you, chest height, hands facing each other. Slowly, bring your arms apart until they are reaching behind you. Gently, pull your chin in a bit to a more normal and balanced position, keeping your head level with the ground. Hold that position, breathe normally in and out for three breaths.

Taking little breaks like this and re-setting your posture will go a long way to maintaining the look of vigor and health.

#4: Protect Your Skin from the Inside Out

Charles Revson, the founder of Revlon, described his face cream as “hope in a jar.” Well, yes, we’re all searching for that fountain of youth that doesn’t require being cut, sewn up, or burned in order to look our best.

But unless you live on a sailboat or in the great outdoors (and frankly connecting with nature is a great way to stay healthy) good skin mostly requires care and feeding from what we ingest.

Suzanne Blons, “The Beauty Shaman,” who has been writing for Sixty and Me for years, offers some expert advice on what to feed your body so that your skin looks healthy and vibrant.

Her first recommendation is always to start with a healthy diet. This is such a hot topic these days and for good reason. A healthy diet and healthy gut are crucial for healthy looking skin.

But sadly, at this time in our history, much of our food supplies are mineral and nutrient depleted. Since it’s not easy to get the nutrients we need strictly from our food, Suzanne advises ingesting an adequate amount of three crucial supplements: Vitamins C, D, and the Omega 3-6-9s. The right amounts and proportions for your body should be determined by your health care professional, possibly through bloodwork analysis.

But then there is collagen. We lose collagen consistently over time, and especially after menopause. Suzanne encourages consuming food-based collagen, which is available in both powdered and liquid form. Her favorite form is bone broth. And of course, as she strongly advocates staying hydrated, that covers two needs at once: hydration and supplementation.

#5: Dress “Happy”

This one is for our emotional wellbeing. And it’s often a challenge at this stage of our lives. So many of the women I speak with say some form of the following: “I’m retired now, and my wardrobe is for a previous life,” or “I really don’t care much about what I wear now as long as it’s comfortable.”

Let’s start with the first point. Give yourself an indulgent day, pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine. And then go through your entire closet with intention, piece by piece, asking this question:

“Does this make me feel happy?”

If you aren’t sure, put on the item or the accessory and look at yourself in the mirror. The expression on your face will tell you everything you need to know. If you are smiling out of delight (not chuckling out of disdain!) the item is a keeper. If it feels dated, tired, faded, sloppy, too tight, or makes you feel… well, old, let it go.

Now if you love it but it no longer suits your lifestyle, examine the piece again. What is it that delights you? Is it the color? If so, find something new or that is already in your closet already in that color and that does suit your lifestyle. Is it the material? Then look for something in the same textile “hand” that you would wear on regular rotation.

Is it the design of the garment that delights you? Well, if for example, it’s something like a pink tutu tulle skirt from your 30s or a dramatic patterned shantung silk dress you bought for a wedding 25 years ago, then look for something that expresses your creative and artistic leanings in a more lifestyle-friendly style or pattern.

And as for the other comment I hear a lot, is it comfortable? That’s an easy one. You should simply make that the criteria for everything you wear, regardless of how casual or formal. At this point in our lives we deserve that above all else.

Doing what makes us look our best is about more than trying to stay young. It creates a feedback loop for wellness. As a streetwise sage once said, “If ya look good, ya feel good…”

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are you doing to stay attractive? How has your wardrobe changed since you turned 60? What health regimen have you started that is showing clear benefits?

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Plus, how to get shiny hair like her.

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Truly, we’re ride-or-dies for this brand.

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Now that their season is over, real life begins.

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You know how it goes.

Monday morning, you wake up feeling ready. You’ve planned out your meals, planned your workouts, maybe even told yourself, This time will be different. You feel motivated. Committed. It’s going to happen.

And then by Thursday, life had other plans.

Motivation Feels Great – Until It’s Gone

You’re exhausted from work or various engagements. A stressful email lands in your inbox or an adult child calls with a problem. Someone brings pastries to a meeting. You’re too tired to cook, so you grab whatever’s easiest. You skip your workout because, honestly, the couch is calling your name. And just like that, the momentum is gone.

You tell yourself, I’ll get back on track Monday. But Monday comes, and you’re starting over. Again.

This cycle that you’re in? It’s not about willpower.

And it’s not your fault.

The real problem is that you’ve been taught to rely on something that was never meant to last. Motivation is a fickle beast, and a terrible long-term strategy for your health.

It’s fleeting. Unreliable. It disappears the moment life gets inconvenient.

And if your entire plan hinges on feeling like doing it, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

So if motivation isn’t the answer… what is?

Why Motivation Fades – and Leaves You Stuck

Most women think their struggle to stay consistent is a personal failing. That if they just tried harder – found the right planner, a more exciting workout, the perfect meal plan – this time would be different.

But here’s the truth:

Motivation is an emotional state.

It spikes when you start something new – when the possibilities feel exciting and fresh. But just like excitement, it fades. Because emotions fluctuate. They shift depending on your energy, stress levels, and what’s happening in your day.

The realities of midlife are that:

• Your energy isn’t what it used to be. Hormonal changes mean some days just getting through the afternoon feels like a victory.
• Stress is a constant background hum. Work, relationships, aging parents, grown kids needing support – it all adds up.
• Your brain craves easy solutions. After a long day, it’s not laziness that leads you to takeout – it’s exhaustion. Your brain is wired to conserve energy, and making healthy choices takes effort.

None of this is about discipline or drive.

If you’re trying to build a healthy routine on motivation alone, you’re working against biology.

That’s why you’re stuck in the same cycle – starting strong, falling off, feeling like a failure, then repeating the whole thing again.

Diane’s Story: How She Stopped Relying on Motivation

My client Diane was convinced she just wasn’t disciplined enough.

She is a high-achieving woman – 30 years at the same company, responsible, dedicated. But when it came to her own health, she couldn’t figure out why she kept dropping the ball.

She’d start a routine with the best intentions. A new diet. A gym membership. She’d be all-in for a few weeks, then life would happen. Stress at work. A last-minute project. Too many late nights at the office.

The workouts stopped. The healthy eating faded. And every time, she told herself the same thing: I just need to try harder. Next week will be better.

But then, Diane had a realization:

She wasn’t failing. Her strategy was.

So she stopped trying to rely on motivation.

Instead, we built a system.

• She planned her meals ahead of time so she didn’t have to make decisions when she was exhausted.
• She picked one non-negotiable health habit to focus on – eating balanced meals that actually satisfied her – rather than overhauling everything at once.
• She set a strict “leave work on time” rule so she wasn’t running on fumes every night.

The result?

She stopped feeling like she was constantly starting over. She wasn’t waiting for motivation to strike – because she didn’t need it anymore.

Her health routine became automatic.

Related read, The Power of “Half-Assing” Your Health: Why Perfection Isn’t Necessary for Progress.

The Real Secret to Consistency: Systems, Not Willpower

The women who succeed in midlife health aren’t the ones who try the hardest.

They’re the ones who stop relying on motivation and start building systems that keep them on track – even when they don’t feel like it.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Make It So Easy You Can’t Fail

Instead of setting unrealistic goals (daily hour-long workouts, no sugar ever again), start with what you know you can actually do.

• Instead of: “I’ll go to the gym every morning,” try “I’ll move for 10 minutes every day.”
• Instead of: “I’m cutting out all carbs,” try “I’ll add a protein and veggie to every meal.”

Lower the bar. Build momentum. Progress beats perfection every time.

2. Pre-Decide Your Healthy Choices

Most bad health decisions happen in the moment – when you’re stressed, hungry, or tired. So take decision-making out of the equation.

• Plan your meals before the week starts.
• Set a bedtime before you’re exhausted.
• Schedule movement into your day like a meeting – not something you squeeze in if you have time.

When you don’t have to think about your healthy choices, they get done.

3. Have a Bare Minimum Plan for Hard Days

There will be days – stressful ones, emotional ones, days where you’re sick or just don’t have it in you.

Instead of aiming for perfection, have a bare minimum plan.

• Maybe on your worst days, you skip the gym – but you still take a 5-minute walk.
• Maybe you don’t meal prep – but you grab a rotisserie chicken and a bag of frozen veggies instead of ordering pizza.

The goal isn’t to do everything. It’s to keep moving forward.

You Don’t Need More Motivation – You Need a Plan

If you’ve been waiting for motivation to come back, I have good news:

You don’t need it.

What you need is a strategy that works even when motivation is gone.

This is exactly what I teach in my FREE Spring Reset Workshop on March 28th – how to break out of the all-or-nothing cycle, build habits that actually stick, and create a system that works for your life.

Because if you want real, lasting change? You need more than just good intentions. You need a plan that actually makes it easy to stay consistent.

Click here to sign up for the Spring Reset Workshop now. It’s absolutely FREE.

Let’s Talk:

Do you often wait on motivation to get you where you want to be? What would your health look like if you stopped waiting to feel motivated, and started building habits that actually fit your life? What habits do you want to create and maintain?

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You don’t need to have been to Italy or studied history of art to recognise that the country has one of the finest artistic legacies in the Western World. Over the centuries, Italy has influenced major movements and produced generations of creative geniuses from as far back as the Etruscans, through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and into the 17^th century Baroque period and beyond.

Quite simply, the selection of extraordinary art on offer in Italy is vast. But a two-week holiday there doesn’t leave you with masses of time, and the chances are you’ll only want the art to be one element of a more varied trip.

So how do you prioritise?

The temptation is to head for the most popular and best known masterpieces – think Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio. But what if you prefer something less traditional? Or maybe even prefer to be outdoors rather than in a gallery or museum? The individual nature of art makes it so important to visit what you enjoy rather than ticking off a ‘seen that’ list.

Fortunately, the art scene is sufficiently varied to cater to all tastes, so here are some of my top tips for finding an art experience in Italy that will work best for you.

Take in a Must-See Masterpiece

Accept that you’re not going to get to see everything and that less can be more. Rather like resisting temptation at a buffet! So which are the standout heroes in Italy’s art world? Michelangelo’s statue of David (Accademia Gallery, Florence) and frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican never fail to amaze.

But Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan) and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (Uffizi Gallery, Florence) are equally extraordinary. Raphael was one of the great artists of the High Renaissance but anything by Tintoretto, Bernini, Mantegna and Piero della Francesca is also likely to feature on any art-lovers bucket list. And that’s just for starters!

Focus on One Artist

Focusing on a single artist is one way of not being totally overwhelmed by too much splendour. One of my favourite artists is Piero della Francesca, a painter from the early Renaissance. While his works are scattered round the world, you can feast your eyes on some of his greatest works in Arezzo and the nearby towns of Monterchi and Sansepolcro at the same time as exploring Umbria’s medieval history and rural landscapes.

Enjoy Art Without the Crowds

The downside to visiting the most celebrated works in Florence, Rome and Venice is that they frequently come hand in hand with crowds and hefty entrance prices. Pre-booking tickets is essential if you want to avoid hours of queueing. So how do you get to see some of the art world’s greats without the queues?

One option is to stick to Italy’s smaller, less touristy towns. Two of my favourites are Padua and Mantua, quite close to each other in northern Italy. The big attraction in Padua is the incredible Scrovegni Chapel, home to a cycle of Giotto frescoes.

Mantua, meanwhile, despite its relatively small size, boasts elegant palaces, and multiple art and architectural treasures thanks to its former rule by the wealthy and powerful Gonzaga family. Art highlights include the Ducal Palace, home to Mantegna’s Camera degli Sposi fresco cycle, and Palazzo Te where floor to ceiling frescoes fill the Hall of the Giants.

Explore Italy’s Ancient Art

Want to step right back in time? Rarely does art dazzle as much as the Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna. Set in the region of Emilia Romagna, these extraordinary mosaics date back to the early Christian and Byzantine periods and are amongst the most magnificent collection of mosaics anywhere in the world. Housed in a cluster of churches and baptisteries, the mosaics are a brilliant testimony to the period between the Roman empire and the rise of medieval Europe.

Enjoy Street Art and Murals

But who wants to be indoors when the sun’s shining! And this is where street art really comes into its own. The island of Sardinia is the homeland of Italian muralism and nowhere is it more evident than in Orgosolo where 150 murals decorate its streets, telling the story of the Pratobello revolution. The nearby villages of Mamoiada and Fonni are also famous for their murals.

Sculpture parks and outdoor exhibits are another great way of exploring art in Italy. The Chianti Sculpture Park close to Siena is home to a series of installations but if you’re lucky enough to be on holiday with grandchildren, the Gaudi-esque Giardino dei Tarocchi (Tarot Garden) in Capalbio, Tuscany is guaranteed to please.

Find Local Arts and Crafts

One of the joys of a holiday anywhere must surely be the thrill of wandering and discovering locally produced arts and crafts, perhaps even finding something to take home as a memento or a gift, whether pottery, ceramics, stained glass or jewellery.

Ceramics from Caltagirone in Sicily and Venetian glass immediately spring to mind but there are plenty of others. In Tuscany, seek out locally carved alabaster trinkets in Volterra and ceramics and crystalware in Colle Val d’Elsa, a beautiful medieval town which is the last stop on our Tuscan Harvest tour.

Seeing Art on a Budget

One of the downsides to visiting galleries and museums can be the cost, particularly if you want to cram in several different places. You can ease the pain slightly by buying a city pass. For example, a Firenze Card gives you access to over 60 museums over a 3-day period. But you can also see a fair bit for free!

Of course, just walking through the streets of many of Italy’s towns and cities can be an art lesson in its own right, but in Florence, head for the Piazza della Signoria where the giant copy of the statue of Michelangelo’s David stands in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi houses sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini and Giambologna. And, remember too, that on the first Sunday of each month, many Italian state sites and monuments are free.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy visiting art galleries? Who is your favourite Italian artist? Do you prefer traditional or modern art?

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Sometimes, when we get older, we forget about our dreams. We forget how they made us feel – the passion, ambition, excitement, enthusiasm, desire. We forget how they once took up our entire waking moments… and probably some of our sleeping ones, too.

But those dreams are still there, maybe a little buried, perhaps a tad crumbled or crushed, but still alive and kicking and waiting for you to bring them out, shake them down and give them another look. What is even more valuable is that you have a lifetime of skills and learning, that makes the likelihood of success even greater today. Is it time to bring them out and show the world what fabulous hidden gems you have been keeping? 

No Time Like the Present

As they say, ‘The present is a gift’ but it is a gift that has no guarantee. That is the same if you are 16 or 60. There will always be a reason not to do something… no time, no money, no space, fear, anxiety, apathy. But this is yourshot at making your dreams come true; perhaps it is even your last shot. If you don’t try, you will never know. But if you take a chance, who knows what could happen, or where it might lead.

So put on your big girl pants and start writing out a to-do list. Be brave, be fearless, be bold, and take the first step towards your new future with a belief in yourself and your abilities. If others think you can’t, let them. Look yourself in the mirror, give yourself a huge smile and know you’ve got this! 

What Does Your Dream Look Like?

All of us have different dreams, and that’s exactly how it should be. For one person it could be building an empire, for another it could be walking a few blocks. What your dream is doesn’t matter at all, just start turning it into a reality. Perhaps you want to begin a new career, open a shop, design wedding dresses. Maybe you would like to set up an animal shelter, travel the world, become a new version of yourself.

What matters is that you are passionate about it, willing to work hard, and brave enough to begin… and I know you have that in you. Think about all the things you have done in your life up to this point. How many of them did you think you couldn’t do? But here you are wise, skillful, accomplished. An expert in more ways than I could mention. Wife/partner, mother, chauffeur, financier, negotiator, chef, first aider, teacher, gardener, decorator, to name just a few.

Take a Chance on You

You have probably spent your whole life making other people’s lives function. The boss who barely knew your name, the colleagues you covered for. The kids you took to school, play dates, parties, cinema, swimming, clubs. Perhaps you put your career on hold to be a mum, and then had to play catch up with your career, or took a job you were over qualified for.

Maybe now is the time to take a chance on you, bring that dream to life, take a risk, embrace uncertainty. Make yourself proud, even if it does not turn out as you wanted. Would you regret it more if you hadn’t tried? And who knows, even if that dream doesn’t work, it could take you in the direction of something even more magnificent.

Looking Back

So, when you are old, really old, and looking back at life in your 60s and 70s, I hope you are glad you took that slightly dusty old dream out of your heart. Maybe what you wanted was to get a little healthier, learn to play an instrument, or start a little side hustle. Or perhaps you aimed to become the next Colonel Sanders, Barbara Cartland or Julia Child. It really doesn’t matter as long as it was your dream, and you are proud you were brave and fearless enough to give it a go!

Please Join the Conversation:

Do you have a dream you have kept in your heart for a long time? Have you given your dream a go? What would you do if you could do anything?

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We’re still reeling in from that cliffhanger.

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Will their love last?

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Will their love last?

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As a dating coach I talk with women every day, and most have a rich, juicy life with tons of friends. But are they the right type of friends to have if you’re trying to find love? Well, that all depends on you… and them.

If you’re wondering why you’re not meeting the right type of men, it may be time to look at your friend circle through a different lens to begin assessing whether your friendships are supporting your journey to finding love. Are you setting yourself up for success or failure? Here are some things to consider:

#1: The Negativity Crowd

Do you spend much of your free time with female friends who believe you’re too old for love, dating in your area is hard, all men cheat, etc.? Are they negative when the conversation veers toward love, dating, and relationships? If so, you may find yourself starting to believe them even if that wasn’t your initial dating experience.

#2: Sworn to Singlehood

Are your friends confirmed bachelorettes? If so, consider broadening your circle to include women who are actively dating. There is a totally different vibe with these types of women. You want to spend your time with, and take advice from, women who are dating successfully so you can follow their lead. If you spend your time with man-haters you may find yourself becoming one without even realizing it’s happening. What you focus on expands, whether it’s positive or negative.

#3: Same Ol’ Same Ol’

Do you consistently spend time with the same people and do the same types of activities? If so, you may find it difficult to create opportunities to meet men organically because you’re spending so much of your time at female-oriented events. If you were going to meet someone where you typically go, you would have already met him. Try mixing things up by doing new things and going to new, exciting places that you’re interested in and have a male slant.

#4: Dating Bias

Are your friends judgmental when you talk about your dating experiences? This may have nothing to do with you or your partner and be a result of the hurt your friends are still carrying around from their failed relationships. If your friends don’t support your journey, don’t share it with them. Love in the early stage is extremely fragile.

#5: Too Busy to Date

Are you overscheduled with your friends? Do they keep you so busy that you don’t have time to date? That’s going to be a problem when you do meet a man you’d like to spend time with, and you should plan on a little push-back from the group. If you’re so busy that you need to schedule your first date two weeks out, the message you’re sending to someone new is that he won’t be able to fit into your lifestyle. Plus, it’s hard to maintain romantic momentum for that extended time so you may feel the sparkle fade by the time you actually get to the date.

An Example You Might Recognize

I worked with a client who was so excited to start dating again because everything else in her life was going great, and finding love was the only missing piece of her perfect life. Unfortunately, she had a bad date one day and then spent the next day with negative women who are confirmed bachelorettes.

As a result, she’s stopped dating all together because she’s now absolutely certain she will never find someone to love in her hometown. What a shame that is. She was in a vulnerable place, and rather than brushing it off and moving on, she let those women convince her that dating in her hometown sucks. Don’t let that happen to you. In most cases, finding love is a marathon not a sprint.

Your Circle Matters

Not everyone is interested in dating, and that’s completely okay. But if you’re looking for love, it’s crucial to surround yourself with friends who support your journey. Each person’s path is unique, and by focusing on the lessons you learn about yourself along the way, you’ll uncover aspects of yourself you never knew.

The more you understand yourself, the more empowered you’ll feel in your love life. Confidence grows through new experiences with people, places, and opportunities. Before long, you’ll start to recognize your own worth and feel like the prize you’ve always been meant to be.

To learn more about how to navigate dating at this stage of life, check out my Love Lesson videos. They will help you feel more confident every step of the way.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

If you want to date, what is the one thing you’ll need to change in your friend group to help you feel supported?

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