What have you given up that makes you happier? I meant to say as part of number nine, I’ve stopped beating myself up for missing an exercise session, or eating pudding! I concentrate on adding good stuff to my diet rather than denying myself a biscuit!
Top few on my list. I quit Facebook, I don’t need my head full of other peoples curated lives and don’t want to advertise mine.. I also now have no problem saying no to things I don’t want to do as I spent far too many years being a people pleaser. I’ve quit putting myself down. When people say I like your top I used to say I look a bit fat in it. Now I just say thank you.
New subscriber here. 🙂 I'm 63 and have stopped watching not only the news but ANY commercial television. I use Netflix because there are no ads. I don't like Amazon Prime video because they force ads, so when I really want to watch something on there, I mute the ads and avert my eyes so none of the marketing gets into my head. My approach seems extreme to some, but we are bombarded with marketing all day, whether we're in public or in our homes, and I refuse to participate in it any longer! A couple days ago I was in the waiting room of the car dealership as my car was being repaired, and I had to endure an hour of live television, which was loaded with vile election commercials. I was almost ready to run out of there screaming.
Good point! I record live TV exactly so I can fast forward through the ads! At least on RU-vid you only have to endure them for a few seconds before you can press "skip".
lol- your #1 makes me smile because at 55, I stopped buying uncomfortable clothes. I just turned 56, and only want cotton and linen. No matter how cute or pretty a piece of clothing is, if it’s not natural fabric, forget it! Thank you for sharing your list.
I gave up being in or pursuing relationships with men when I turned 50. I gave the last one his marching orders. I'm almost 54 now and I'm blissfully single. No longer are my decisions based on what a man might thinks about me. I'm also wealthier for not being in a relationship, because somehow, no matter how wealthy they are, I'm poorer! Not just monetary, but time and energy. What the hell was all that last 30-odd years about? I'm trying to make the most of what time I've got left, and a 'romantic' relationship is not on the agenda. I'm as likely to finding one that enhances my life as winning the lottery.
Brilliant list! I’m in my 70s and have worked through some of these already. Comfortable clothes was first on my lit once I reached my 50s! I’m declutterring my house at present. Every item that leaves is a small liberation! Still have things to work on, but I’m of your mind for sure!
At 65 I have given up wearing heavy denim jeans!!! Lightweight knit pull-ons from here on out! I’ve also in the process of wearing far less makeup than I used to. I’m retired now and a full face of makeup no longer makes sense and takes up too much of my time. I’m becoming accustomed to my own face with just a few products that go on super easy.
YES - I wear very little. Mainly because I have a head full of magic and forget a lot of the time, but also because I think we, as a society, need to get used to seeing what 60, 40, 50, 70 year old faces look like! I made this short film in 2020 about a photo project I did, making portraits of women 40 plus without their make up. There's a book too. You might enjoy it when you're sitting down with a cuppa! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X6k4wHaq9gg.html
Im in my 70s. I think the most unsettling thing is that all family and the one frien̈d i had are dead. Just buried the husband. I seemed to think back in my 50s 60s life would be as forever. Also your right about other people. I just let them go if their upset with my way of life and thinking, their not worth the trouble.
Stopped taking interest or running after family or friends. It is way too exhausting and a waste of time. No more rushing around. It drives me crazy. Who needs the stress? I need to work on scrolling on my phone. It is a time suck.
Lovely to watch your videos and just like you talk with me! I like your way of laughing. Great idea to quit the things you don't need or don't like anymore! I am not ready to stop say sorry and start to say no. Since Covid 19 I quit eating our with friends; I quit window shopping; I quit watching TV (but RU-vid which I found you!); I quit wearing skirt/dress everyday (I wear black pants and black top which make me simple and elegant); I quit collecting things; I quit buying Xmas card; I quit burying luxury stuff; I quit chasing thins.Again thank for sharing good stuff. xoxo
Same on the clothing....never going back to those uncomfortable choices that we women are supposed to look better in! Good common sense takes, thank-you!
I am 61 n retired, totally concur with your list and pretty much have done the same stuff!!!! Financially we are very comfortable, but I dress like a bum n drive my ol’ rusty Chevy truck! Not only do I say no, but f-k no!!!!! 😍
Time, money and chemicals! I've stopped too, at least for now. I'm curious to see what happens. I'd prefer white to grey, but we'll see what comes. And I can't promise I won't ever dye again, but I'd like to stay the course!
Hi Jo, a number of your "10" list resonate with me. One thing I am slowly coming to terms with is worrying about things that I cannot change. As my mum used to say, I need to stop crossing bridges before I reach them. 😊
I have “the Serenity Prayer” on my bed side table - are you familiar with it? “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” I’m not religious, but I like the sentiment. I also practice saying “not my circus, not my monkeys!” Easier said than done at times of course!
This was brilliant, I can add I gave up wearing a bra, despite people’s opinions. They’re welcome to their own opinions, but I’ll stick to feeling more comfortable lol. Also, I’m trying with number 10 :), and doom scrolling. Deleting my news apps! Thanks for this :)
I'd do the same, but I'm worried I might knock myself out if I jump up suddenly! 🙃Seriously, I do wear unwired regularly. I think it's much healthier. THanks for watching! x
Oh, me too! I do put on a bra if I want to feel respectable. If I go out to dinner, or to see a professional. But not one of those underwire jobs. No. Never again!
The biggest thing I've let go of is allowing other people's bad attitudes get to me. My boundaries are like plexiglass now- transparent and strong at the same time. So freeing- I didn't realize how anxious I was... I also do not judge myself for missing a workout or indulging, because we now trust ourselves to get right back on it. With age comes more reason, patience, and freedom. Oh and btw you had me laughing from beginning to end- I subbed within the first 10 minutes of lmao.
“Reason, patience and freedom” - YES! 🙌🏻 I do amuse myself. While my mouth was running with the cheese grater analogy, my brain was going “stop talking about your knickers!!!”
Can relate to all 10. I don't suffer fools gladly. No 9 I've only just started doing and no 10 I'm working on. I've also given up drinking alcohol on a regular basis, high days and holidays for me and feel so much better for it .
I found I could no longer tolerate alcohol during perimenopause - not uncommon, apparently. So even on high days and holidays it's only one drink for me! I know a lot of women who say they feel better for stopping altogether. Not always easy, eh? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
@@roslinney4285 yup 👍 to the "given up alcohol". March this year I said goodbye and thanks for the parties through my life, but now I want to walk another path...(and get my sunday mornings back) 🙏💖
I am working on numbers eight and nine, plus a slight variation on these that is to stop imagining what other people might think. This has helped me to pluck up the courage to start my RU-vid channel (3 months ago) and to publish a family memoir (my final draft is out for review with family and friends). I could never have done either of these things when I was younger!
What a great list, pretty much all of them resonated. Especially stopping saying Sorry. You've definitely got as much right to that pavement as anyone else :)
@@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond We really do. I'm only 5 ft and when some big bloke shoulders me in the street, it's ridiculous that I'm the one that automatically says sorry! :)
Amazing reassurance for my beliefs. It's nice to connect to people after 50 without thinking how they are useful to me and feel how good I feel with them. I stopped watching news for last 4 years especially the 24x7 channels. I also enjoy spending 2 to 3 hours by myself surrounded by nature and always a getaway is a quieter place than the quiet place I live. Ialso understood as much as we are entitled for our free space we must be conscious while having a conversation of our engagement with others. Be spontaneous but do not interfere into territories sacred to others.
I gave up wearing uncomfortable shoes years ago. I may have been in my 40s. I also ditched uncomfortable underwear. That soon extended to all clothing. If it itches, pinches or rubs, I won't wear it. If I don't like how it feels, I don't buy it. I'm struggling with not buying stuff. I have well and truly reached the stage of getting rid of stuff, but I was recluttering faster than I was decluttering. I'm doing a no-spend month this month, and I've been so surprised by how many times I've had the impulse to purchase things. There's a bunch of stuff in my Amazon cart as we speak.
I think we’ve reached a point of consumption saturation, but it’s like an addiction- we’re conditioned to want more! At least you’re wearing comfortable clothes 😅
Your video really resonated with me, Jo. I find number 9 the hardest and do beat myself up / analyse how the day’s gone, thinking could I have done things better. Absolutely agree on the comfy clothes and shoes too! Thanks for sharing your list. ❤
- and I will make a "10 things I quit in my fifties" here in this comment section, soon. Thank you so much for sharing. I laughed and smiled through your video. ❤
Just found your channel. Your is the first list of this type that I completely agree with. And even better, I appreciate how you present it as what you do for yourself and not as advice to others or as what others *should* do. I’ve been watching similar videos a lot lately and most all of them present as advice. I love your vulnerability and humbleness.
Thank you. I’m so glad that’s how it came across. I’d hate to feel that it seems as if I think I know better. I will use your comment to keep me humble.
You are so right about the news. 9/11 was also the first time I was glued to the news stations- I was actually just talking about this the other day. I never have the news on these days. I will check the news from time to time by going to the website to read but that’s it. I actually avoid people who are obsessed with the news now. I’ve given up explaining my choices. I use to give an explanation for everything- if i declined an invitation, I would say why. If someone gave me a compliment on my outfit- I would go in to detail of where I bought it and the sale price ect. I just don’t do that anymore. New subscriber here ❤
lol- your #1 makes me smile because at 55, I stopped buying uncomfortable clothes. I just turned 56, and only want cotton and linen. No matter how cute or pretty a piece of clothing is, if it’s not natural fabric, I will not get it. Thank you
@@JoBlackwell-MidlifeAndBeyond I honestly think your list is plenty to get started with, especially #3 and #9. The only thing I would maybe add is to stop living in fear of anything at all. We are strong, we are smart, we can figure anything out!
I am practicing giving things up 😅 I'm trying not to beat myself up as much. I agree about uncomfortable clothes and footwear. I think Jo you have nailed a lot of what I'm trying to do. I have just quit a recent job after a week as I realised it was not for me and this was a massive thing for me to do. The relief was immense, much happier and also know something new about myself too.
Great video. Wise words indeed. For me, I'm 67 just ..and I'm quitting work at last. Loved it, but the time has come to break free of my work environment. 😊
Great list that I could agree with easily. The way I look at aging now is that it is to be celebrated, a lot of people don’t get this far! Ps currently clearing my wardrobe of clothes that don’t make me feel good. 😊
@@sarahclayton3330 few weeks ago I heard Jane Fonda saying something like:" Anyone can be young - only the lucky gets to be old" and I just love that 💖
Definitely have quit wearing shoes that are uncomfortable! I suppose that is true for all clothing since I live in yoga pants. 😄 And I’ve had to cut my news consumption bc of the awful political situation in the U.S.! I do miss the daily newspaper. & especially the Sunday edition, which I enjoyed over a leisurely cup of coffee. Enjoying your videos. I feel as if I have a new friend across the pond.
That’s lovely! Thank you for being here. I’m sitting here in yoga pants while I’m working 😁 means I can jump up and have an “exercise snack” whenever I feel like it too without splitting my trousers
I'm with you on all of these points!! I only wear comfy clothes these days, and don't partake in any event that might indicate the wearing of formal attire...people can take me as I am,or not ! Easy lifestyle, only seeing like- minded friends and enjoying retirement with my other half. Bliss 😊
I think the comfortable clothes is one for me. If I put on something and if it’s not comfortable I donate it. I’m still learning to say no. Still tapering back on the news! Thanks for the advice!!
I gave up eating animals, more in line with my love for them 😊. Gave up uncomfortable shoes! Gave up work, because I don't need the money on top of what my partner earns.
I've got feeling everybody needs a Jo in their life. I agree with all of this and glad she can keep smiling. I don't want to be swept along anymore and I find this world more and more alienating and baffling. ( I just saw ad on RU-vid for having your dogs face printed on pyjamas). I have a problem thinking that the world is logical and controllable if only you take the right steps and do the right things. When you get to your sixtiez you realise that you are still a twig on the stream as you were in your youth and that the universe really does not care because it has no big plans for you.
I’m about to turn 40 next year. I had a deep, beautiful, and painful, spiritual awakening 7 years back. I also don’t have an emotionally secure or able mother or parental figure in my life. I’ve spent the last 7 years reparenting myself. Your video was really inspiring and surprisingly mothering to me. I’m happy to say that at 39, I’ve nearly stopped doing all the things you listed. But more than that, I found hearing your perspective which has come from experience, really gave me an insight into a benchmark for my own future. So thank you! I’m officially adopting you as my RU-vid mother. Please create more content that younger woman can look to as comfort, inspiration and wisdom, that we can apply to our own lives during these wild and challenging times ❤️
Oh bless you! I am honoured to be regarded as your RU-vid mother! I hope that my content will resonate with young women - and men - as well as others in my age group and hopefully demonstrate the value older people can bring to the table. We can all learn from each other, whatever stage of life we are in. I learn all the time from my children and grandchildren. My eldest child is 40 and his eldest is 18, so I am very lucky to have all those different perspectives to ponder. And hopefully too it will help some people understand what their own mother’s might be going through in menopause etc, not to mention co-workers. We can all work together towards a kinder, more loving world. I shall Look out for you on my videos xxx
Agreed, Cosmic! Adopting her as a RU-vid Mom! I could tell I would need to listen to her when I heard some of the slightly painful (in a good way) truths she was saying are hitting home. "Yank" (American) here. With an MA in international politics, as she has.
Comfortable clothing and shoes are a MUST at any age, I find. In fact, you look more attractive when you're moving easily, your clothes don't tug and your shoes are comfy. and And I'm working on how to say no without my conscience beating me up later.
I agree on do many of things on your list. As I'll be 60 in December I feel a bit out of place with all the 50+ communities and videos about this decade. I feel someway being 60 + is being part of what society does'nt know were to put. I'm still working, as a social worker for over 35 yrs. I love my job, and I'm quite in a postion to set there my own boundariea. My work pkace will be gkad to have me till I' m 70. Sure I can retire at 64. I will decide later about it. Lot's of travelling when able - at leat 5-6 weeks a yr in total. I said at workorcthat or I'll leave working there. So yes, for us 60 +.
I know what you mean - at the tail end of midlife but not anywhere near "elderly" - society doesn't know what box to put us in! Which, in itself, is quite freeing, isn't it?
Hi. Thongs, ie: underwear that doesn't cover your buttocks and just has a tiny triangle at the front. I'm not sure where you are in the world, but I realised after I recorded this that in the US what they call "pants" are "trousers" here. We say "pants" or "knickers" instead of "panties". In a delicatessan, they might cut cheese with a wire - hence cheese-wire. Hope that helps!
Well, being older has made me poor. But I enjoy my things. I am sorry to disagree with you. But now that I can't buy anymore, I like what I have. I don't want to get rid of them. They bring me good memories and comfort. But everyone has a right to do whatever is best for them.
Disagree away - that's fine! There are some things I would never part with, even if you paid me. Things I cherish, like the brass candlesticks my grandmother gave me, some of the drawings and letters my children wrote. For me, it's about cutting down on consumption and recognising what I find beautiful and/or useful. Thank you for watching and sharing your opinion x
Hello. I think I am positive by nature, although I have suffered bouts of depression through my life. I am on a low dose of HRT and wouldn’t want to be without it. I didn’t start it until in was 60 and wish I had started it years ago. Have you had a positive experience?
Thank you for sharing that - went on it for 3 months and found my mood lifted slightly now I have come off it I have to work harder to boost myself up! Just considering going back on a low dose
@@heidilewis9053 if it helps, this conversation with my menopause doctor, Dr Ferhat Uddin about the pros and cons of HRT might be useful: Is HRT Right for You? Dr Ferhat Uddin ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Bj0wwxYp7LQ.html
