Retirement Prep

 

Thanks to a cheap financially-prudent spouse, it looks like - if all goes well - I will join the ranks of retirees in 2014. The mere thought of it freaks me out. Good Lord, just using the phrase, "freaks me out", really does place me in the appropriate era. Why does the anticipation of a work-free life cause me so much anxiety? I'm really not certain, but I can bet that it has something to do with aging.

There. I've said it. Aging. Old. Decrepit. Retired.

March 2013

I really need to get over it.

The alternative to aging is not one that I am ready for, so I am taking the steer by the horns and embracing the fact that - if I take good care of myself - I should be around this planet for another thirty years or so.

Thirty years. That number is almost equivalent to what I have accomplished in this lifetime so far. It's hard to for me to believe my career as a Registered Nurse began thirty-seven years ago.

What's next?  One thing is for sure...I'm not done yet.

Aging

Circa 1976

This year will mark thirty-six years as a Registered Nurse. 

Whoa.

Am I really that old? 

Circa 1980

How lucky I've been. Good parents, a decent education, a great career, food in the refrigerator, a car in the driveway and always surrounded by people who love me. That being said, it's because of these factors that I've been free to direct my life by making choices, especially when faced with situations I can do little to change.

2012

Aging is one of those situations. It's alternative? Death. I don't think so.

I have chosen Betty White to be my role model for aging. She just celebrated her 90th Birthday and remains bright, attractive, articulate, upbeat and funny. Who wouldn't want follow in her aging footsteps?

If I remain lucky, the aging process will continue for me. Good health habits and a positive attitude are all part of my choice to being a happy and healthy 90 year old.

Thirty-four years to go. What will be my next chapter?

What Was I Thinking?

Letting myself go gray? I don't think so.

What was I thinking?

Allowing myself to retreat from My War On Aging is sort of like 'giving up' and I just can't do that yet. My heart sees me as youthful, playful and (somewhat) energetic and that's exactly who I want to portray to the world.

So, I just happened to come upon the March issue of "Oprah" and last week and there it was....on page 78...a review of Charla Krupp's new book How To Never Look Fat Again. It begins..."The author of How Not To Look Old is back with the equally straight-talking..."

How not to look old? Somebody wrote a book about that? Who knew? I ran right out and bought a copy. 

My new BFF, Charla says..."Forget aging gracefully. I'm just going to come out and say it. Aging sucks". "We're not going to celebrate our wrinkles. We're not going to join the Women Who Have Had Too Much Work Done club. We're not going to look old."

Now that's my kind of woman. The book is fun to read and full of tips to make yourself look more youthful. It even has you define yourself as a high, medium or low maintenance type and offers suggestions on what you can do to meet your own beauty needs.

Did you know that dark lipstick, red fingernail polish and too dark hair makes one look older? Me neither - but the book has pictures that show the OL (Old Lady) look vs. the Y&H (Young and Hip) look and she makes her point.

So as I find more material on aging in the best way possible, I'll keep you informed.