8 Reminders Every Woman Needs to Hear Once in a While
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health reveals a stark reality: men face a 60% higher mortality rate than women, contributing to a significant gap in life expectancy this century. As women, we are in the majority, and so in a sense, we are also the rare and valuable. I believe this is what drives us to take care of ourselves, be aware, and live our lives with intention.
We experience five distinct stages in our lives: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, midlife, and the golden years. Each stage comes with its own challenges and opportunities that change and shape the results that we produce.
By understanding what each stage entails, we can learn to live more consciously and be more careful and intentional about protecting what is important in life. We can also invest our time, energy, and emotions in those things that matter most to us, such as our relationships, health, and choices.
It’s Okay to Grieve
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler wrote in On Grief and Grieving that while most people cycle through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, it’s not necessarily in that order, and some may not experience all of them. Kessler later revised the model to include a sixth stage of grief: finding meaning.
Feel whatever you feel: anger, sadness, confusion, or even relief, and know that it’s part of learning to live with your loss. Your grief is as individual as you are.
Get Your House In Order
“No one is coming to save you; no one is coming to make life right for you; no one is coming to solve your problems. If you don’t do something, nothing is going to get better.” –Nathaniel Branden, Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.
Swipe Left on Instant Gratification
The era of swipe-right culture and hookup apps can make us lose sight of the beauty of forming a deep connection with another person. Tara Geigel, in “The Impact,” explains that the constant pursuit of the next best thing blinds us and distorts our perspective on dating.
It also makes emotional investment seem like an emotional gamble. When we slow down, invest in patience, and prioritize depth over swiftness, authentic bonds can form, and genuine gratification can endure.
Love Is Real–Or Not
Quit haggling for crumbs. If it’s true, you’ll have serenity, not chaos. If you’re always deciphering, stop lying to yourself: it’s not love, it’s hope in love’s disguise.
Your Health Is Your Wealth
Pediatric genetic counseling research has found that the earlier testing and understanding of genetic predispositions occur, the sooner a person can make lifestyle and dietary choices based on that information (Quinn and Loman).
If you know what foods and regimens will work with your biology, what lifestyle changes will produce a permanent result, and what you can and can’t control, you have actual power over your health. Regular checkups, screenings, and lab work tailored to your individual needs are an investment with a high rate of return in terms of independence, longevity, and overall quality of life.
Don’t Over-function
You can’t save everyone, no matter how high in your family structure. Your over-giving is couched as care but driven by fear of being unneeded. Pull back; let others do their share of the work.
Female Friendships in Later Years Are a Bonus Essay
Women tend to live longer than men despite having worse social determinants of health. This is due to a complicated relationship of biological, social, and access to informal support networks (Baum et al.).
Women with close female friendships, particularly in later life, tend to fare better in terms of emotional resilience, social engagement, and overall well-being. Ultimately, our gender ratio is 7:1 in caregiving homes, and a nurturing later-life company will make aging easier.
Walk Away When You Need to
Don’t waste your time, energy, and effort on people, places, or things that aren’t a good fit. If something is not going the way you want, or is wrong or bad for you, don’t be afraid to take a step back.
Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)
Why investing for retirement is so important for women (and how to do it)
Retirement planning can be challenging, especially for women who face unique obstacles such as the wage gap, caregiving responsibilities, and a longer life expectancy. It’s essential for women to educate themselves on financial literacy and overcome the investing gap to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement. So, let’s talk about why investing for retirement is important for women and how to start on this journey towards financial freedom.
Science Tells Us What To Expect As We Age: Strategies for Thriving in Later Life
Science Tells Us What To Expect As We Age: Strategies for Thriving in Later Life
How does aging affect our bodies and minds, and how can we adapt to those differences? These are questions that pertain to us all. Aging gradually alters people over decades, a long period shaped by individuals’ economic and social circumstances, their behaviors, their neighborhoods, and other factors. Also, while people experience common physiological issues in later life, they don’t follow a well-charted, developmentally predetermined path. Let’s take a look at what science has told us to expect.
