Monday Musings- What Happens At 60?
Happy Monday, ladies. Today’s musings are a bit more random than usual. I did a bunch of deep diving down the Google rabbit hole this weekend and came up with some interesting things.
Eye exercises
I woke up on Wednesday to find that none of my many pairs of eyeglasses seemed clear for my right eye. They’ve just strengthened my prescription, but even my older lenses weren’t cutting it. I was probably just tired or having a bad dry eye moment, but it sent me down the Google rabbit hole, and I discovered eye exercises. Well, why not? You have to exercise everything else, so it made sense.
It turns out that eye exercises are pretty popular. Just as many websites dismiss the idea of eye exercises as promote them. I spent about an hour practicing some of the tests and discovered the best eye exercise that everyone agrees on is the 20-20-20 rule.
20-20-20 Rule
The 20-20-20 rule isn’t easy for me to remember, so I’m putting a post-it note on my laptop. After 20 minutes of reading or focusing on a task, look up and focus on something that’s 20 feet away. It helps prevent eye fatigue and keeps them from drying out.
I also went shopping for glasses this weekend and fell for these Parker Warby sunglasses. I have an eye appointment tomorrow to double-check my RX before I order any new glasses!
Podcasts
Do you listen to podcasts? I love many but seldom find the time to listen, so I have to pick and choose. It turns out there are over 2 million podcast channels out there. I got curious about how many are directed at women over 50, and it turns out there are a lot! Since a growing majority of my audience is over 60, I decided to type that into Google and got a big surprise.
When I put podcasts for women over 60 into the search, the titles changed dramatically. Now, most of them include the word senior, elderly, or older women! Apparently, the switch to senior happens at 60, ladies; who knew?! Just that morning, medicare sent me an email about choosing a nursing home. Ouch. I’ll be 66 next week, and I don’t expect to make it to 112, so I’m guessing midlife has left the station for me.
My math skills have failed me again, that’s 132 🙂
Black & White Capsule Travel Wardrobe
Last Monday, I shared this photo of my black and white capsule wardrobe that I took on our Riverboat Cruise back in 2019. This has generated more personal email questions than I’ve had in years! It was a perfect wardrove to travel with, and I still wear most of these pieces.
To be perfectly honest, some of my style mojo got tossed in an effort to wear the colors “I’m supposed to look best in.” I will leave that small bomb right there, to examine in more detail later.
Outfit of the week
This week, our OOTW is by request. A reader wrote to tell me her 3 style words were classic, contemporary, and strong. I love that her third word is a feeling because she knows when she feels it!
She explained that she loves a touch of leopard in her outfits and likes to wear strong colors. Black certainly makes a strong statement, so I created this week’s OOTW with her in mind. Of course, what matters is that it resonates with her because a personal-style recipe needs to feel authentic.
Sculptural heels are a popular look for fall, so these loafer mules fit the bill. Jenny Bird Jewelry always strikes a modern, contemporary cord. The cat-eye is a classic shape, and the outfit colors are strong. Leopard print is timeless for many women, and this reader loves it, so she will wear it no matter what the trend forecasters say.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident!
That travel wardrobe picture that was used in the Monday musing post had me thinking 2 thoughts (because I didn’t remember about the cruise).
1. You either took a picture of what you placed in your now “lost” luggage (which was a smart idea) or 2. It is the new wardrobe you bought since your luggage got lost. By the way, have you received your luggage back?
It was the wardrobe I packed and shared on the blog before my trip. I agree, it would be smart to photograph in case they lost your luggage
Thank you Jennifer for the 20-20-20 eye exercises. I need to write this down and make sure I follow. As your follower stated, a bit of leopard is so much fun as are solid strong colors – so classic. Recently purchased a Banana Republic silk palazzo pant with a touch of leopard mixed into a lovely blue tropical theme print. Will garner quite a lot of wear on upcoming cruises. I finally pulled the trigger on these pants when the price went down from $400 to $100 (with discount coupon – lucky still available in my size)! I also have some leopard themed sneakers and a lovely handbag with the same print – never out of style. The balance of the OOTW I love; happily wearing prior to being retired and moving to Florida. Still love the colors!
On a side note and from your Sunday email regarding grey choices in paint colors – oh how I can relate!!!! Am going through the same dilemma presently. Moving away from dark urban greige theme to bright and light coastal colors with just a hint of blue/grey. I must have 30+ colors painted on the wall and still cannot choose which one to pick!
LOL, I can picture your wall as though it were in my house:) Good luck!
Howdy,
I have been following you for a couple of years now and just want to say we could be sisters. Although we don’t look alike, I too let my hair grow gray from being a blond, I too, have thyroid disease with fine hair, and I will turn 66 this week. Happy birthday next week. I wonder if you are a fellow Leo…
Hi Kris! I am indeed a Leo! Thank you for the birthday wishes. I can’t believe how fast this happened 🙂
Thank you for exposing me to the Parker Warby sunglasses. I have just recovered from cataract and glaucoma surgery, and still need glasses. However, my prescription has changed. These sunglasses would be a perfect fit for my budget.
They’re very affordable and so cute
Just wanted to say your Monday Musings are by far my favorite part of your blog. Not a fan of your fashion choices (I just have different taste) but your “musings” upon aging as a woman in America are very valuable. Thanks and keep it up!
That’s good to know 🙂
Hi Jennifer love this post and the sunglasses are adorable. Do you have a trick for keeping the sunglasses from sliding down?
Only to get them adjusted to fit well. Some of mine slide too. The lighter they are the less they slide 🙂
I love your Monday musings. On the topic of “three words”,well I’m still working on mine. But there was a nice article in the NYT this weekend on Eileen Fisher (the woman). It was a good read and quiet enlightening on her clothing design philosophy and her journey. The title of the article was “Like her Clothes” Modest,Comfy and Enduring” . That kind of says it all and great food for thought. Her 3 words.
It does! I’ll find the article. I have great respect for her.
Great advice, I wish I knew about the 20/20 eye care. Until my 70s I had perfect eye sight which I took for granted. Then due to high cholesterol my retina was damaged. Healthy eye care is very important. Your column is my morning go to, really enjoy the readers comments. Thank you..
Your Monday Musings are great! I love that you cover random things. Isn’t that how life is anyway? We’ve bombarded with so much random, information. It’s fun to see what you focus in on, and most times, I find it very useful.
The OOTD is great! It seems to fit the words stated. Those would not be my style words, but I would wear that outfit! Beautiful!
As far as the black and white capsule wardrobe, I couldn’t ever do it. My wardrobe is full of color!
I definitely like black and white, but I’d have to add a few tops or shoes with a pop of color; like red, hot pink or turquoise!
Medically, a person is considered elderly at 60. Ouch.
Oh my! I am a nurse but have not practiced in many years. Guess I chose to forget that “milestone”. But I truly believe it’s all our choice! My grandmother was my best friend most of my life and that changed my outlook on the “ elderly”. We had such fun! So I will copy many of her characteristics. Last comment- it feels like our society is not improving on ageism! Is that just me? Just turned 63. ( feel 40). 😊
I have been making plans to travel somewhere fun for the eighth anniversary of my 65th birthday in the fall. I just haven’t decided where yet.
I love how you think Kay!
Hi Jennifer – here’s a cute and fun variation of the 20-20 exercise called a Pomodoro timer. See it here: http://www.tomatotimers.com/ The gist is that you do one “pomodoro” of work for 25min, then take a 5 min break. Repeat x 4, then take a longer break. While originally written to maximize work productivity, I use it in retirement to remind me to move regularly while I’m engrossed in a craft project like sewing, knitting or needlepoint where I could sit for hours. Or to take a water break while I’m out gardening. You could use it as a reminder to stop your screen work to look up and look around for a few minutes.
PS – love your blog and blog community
Thanks for sharing this!