Welcome to 2018 Sizzlers! It is going to be a fabulous year for us all and I look forward to sharing life’s journey with you.
I’m back after my short break over the Christmas and New Year period and it was wonderful just to relax and do nothing! Now I’m ready to face another year of striving to be fit, fabulous, healthier and happier and I would love you to join me for the ride.
A few days before Christmas I wrote my Summer Bucket List where I shared my idea of what I would be doing over Summer.
I’ve made a good start on the list and feel enthusiastic about Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond and what we will be doing this year.
Over 50 & Thriving – My Focus for 2018
Each year I select a word to try to focus on in my life. 2016 was Balance, 2017 was Simplify and now in 2018 I’m going to THRIVE!
My focus in 2018 will be looking at ways we can THRIVE in all areas of our life – in mind, body and soul. My daughter gave me a journal from Kikki K called THRIVE JOURNAL: INSPIRATION which is a great read and is set out as a workbook to help you with learning to Thrive. I will be sharing my learnings with you over the course of the year.
Do you have Instagram? Follow me on my Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond Instagram and when you post your photos use the hashtag #over50andthriving and let us all spread the message!
The ‘Over 50 & Thriving’ Series
I also have a great series called Over 50 & Thriving. Every Thursday, I will introduce a guest author who will share their ideas on what ‘Over 50 & Thriving’ means to them. My first guest, will be Leanne from Cresting the Hill so make sure you mark the calendar for Thursday 11th January, or better still subscribe here to receive my posts and that way you will never miss one!
A New Link Up for Midlife Lifestyle Bloggers

NEW IN 2018
As you know, I co-host several link parties and I’m delighted to be teaming up with Leanne, from Cresting the Hill with a brand new Link UP – the Midlife Share the Love Party. This will be launching January 31st so watch this space for what the link up is all about.
It is so lovely to be back with you all and I hope that we can continue to inspire each other to be the best version of ourselves. Life is there to be lived and for those of us who are Over 50 or better still enjoying the retired lifestyle like me, it is NOW OUR TIME TO THRIVE!
Watch for a new link up I will be participating in each month which is all about Health & Wellness. It is called ‘Wellness Wednesday – a monthly link up to health & wellness’. We kick off this week and even if you don’t blog there will be some good posts to read from bloggers who are wanting to improve their health & wellness.
A New Look for my Website
I’ve made some changes to the website and included a new Home page which I would love you to visit. I would also like some feedback which is always welcome! A New look for a New Year!
Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond Home Page
Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond – Meet Sue
I would love to hear from you and encourage you to leave me a comment at the end of my posts. Sometimes it is hard to know if I’m on track with what you are wanting from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond. Leaving a comment or suggestion is a great way to send me a message!
Happy 2018 – Now Let’s Thrive!
Let’s Keep Sizzling!
42 Comments
Hi Sue, another great word for the year ahead! I am looking forward to seeing how you thrive throughout the year and reading about others as well.i have noticed your new look home page and it’s clear, easy to find things and I really like the new look. Your about me page reads well and updating this information is very goodadvice for us all.
I can assure you, from my point of view, you are well on track!!
All the best for the week ahead and I’m keen to read Leanne’s upcoming guest post.
Hi Debbie, thanks for the feedback on the website. I’m always changing it up – can’t help myself. I have a dream to take it to the next level but not sure how so thought I should try to make it look better. I had to change the About Me page as I’m 60 now ha!ha! but I’m still Sizzling! Have a great week and I look forward to your guest post. xx
Good luck with your new link-ups. Sounds exciting. I know you will thrive in 2018. All the best to you! x
Thanks so much Ness and the same wishes to you in 2018. I love your self-compassion post which I’ve left a comment on. Happy New Year! x
Cheers to a brand new year…here’s to thriving!
and to more get togethers!
Everyone has such fantastic 2018 words! I love Thrive Sue, it’s a great prism to see the world and so many new opportunities through!
Hi Katherine, yes I’m quite excited about my word this year and also having guest writers means I see the word through their thoughts and ideas. Happy New Year to you! x
P.S. I love your new design and layout. Your homepage is making me jealous! I don’t know that I’d change anything. It’s nice and clean and uncluttered but it has everything you’d want to know/click through to. Well done!
Oh that is great feedback Katherine and makes me feel good! I’m always trying to improve the look – you never know when you blog might be the ‘next big thing’ LOL:) maybe not in my life time 🙂
Great word, Sue! I know you’ll thrive in 2018! I look forward to continuing our connections this year via our blogs and link-ups. Your new design for your Home page and About page look very good. I made cosmetic changes to my site, too. Hopefully it looks better than before.
Thank you Natalie and I look forward also to keeping our connection through our blogs. I’m always chopping and changing my website look and actually have just come up with another idea but at least it keeps it interesting. I’ll check out your changes to your site as well. Have a wonderful 2018 and here’s to Thriving! xx
Thrive is the perfect word for you Sue – and I love how you’ve come back from your break with such a positive mindset. I’m looking forward to being your first THRIVE guest poster on Thursday and also to our fabulous #MLSTL linky. 2018 is shaping up to being a great year isn’t it? xx
Thanks Leanne. I think the short breaks and trying to stay away from SM and the blog (although difficult) does help to restore and relax. I’m so happy to be starting with my favourite blogging buddy and yes our #MLSTL linky is going to be an exciting project. I love your word RISE as well and especially your last post with the quotes. xx
Thrive is SO GOOD. It sounds like such an enlivened way to spend the year. Happy New Year to you. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks Suger! I really find having a word helps me to focus in all areas of my life. I’m very excited about my guest series so hope you will stop by to read them when you can. Happy New Year to you and have a fabulous 2018! xx
Great choice, Sue.
I really look forward to stopping by each week for your regular contributions to Life This Week. I hope to have more free time this year to read and comment more often.
I’m so grateful for the chance to share your passion for living fearlessly and joyfully but also being mindful of those issues that cross our minds with each passing decade.
SSG xxx
I’ve loved connecting with you SSG (although I still don’t know your name!). I appreciate your support and encouraging comments about my posts and always enjoy reading what you have been up to. I hope you enjoy the Over 50 & Thriving series even though you aren’t there yet, most of it can apply to any age group! Have a fabulous 2018! xx
Hi, Sue – I love the visual updates that you have made to your blog. They are elegant, graceful and feminine. I look forward to your new Thriving Guest Series as well as checking out the new link ups that you will be hosting/involved in.
BTW – Your blog is absolutely on-track!
You are one of my top supporters,Donna and I greatly appreciate you always leaving an encouraging comment. I’m excited about the Thriving Guest Series as well and I do hope you will join our new link up. Thanks for the vote of confidence xxx
I like your word a lot and it builds upon what you have already been doing. I look forward to knowing more about your Wednesday link up with Leanne too. I have more time to consider writing a 3rd blog post each week and yours sounds like a win for me.
Thank you for the enthusiasm and positivity to continue to add to your comments to me. I always appreciate your concern and care. I began using the healing journal and cards again yesterday after a bit of a break. That was a thoughtful gesture which I appreciate.
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 2/52. Next week’s optional prompt: My Favourite Weather.
It was a highlight for me to meet you last year Denyse and I’m so happy that life is on the ‘up’ for you. I’ve seen you blossom and grow in confidence and maybe that is why you had to go through the horrible experience – it made you stronger. I love your dedication to the Instagram pics and although it can be inconvenient to get them sometimes (especially the fashion ones) I’m loving your three areas of focus. Thanks for the link party and hope you will join ours and share your wisdom and life experiences with us. Happy New Year and hope that 2018 is a fabulous year for you all. xx
I thought I already commented, but it looks like I didn’t. I love the word Thrive. It’s about embracing life and not just going through the motions. Love it!
Thanks Jennifer and I’m pretty excited about my word for the year. It has many areas in life that I can develop and learn to thrive in so I’m looking forward to it.
I can not think of a single person who epitomizes “thrive” more than you. YOu live fully in every moment and you lift others. I, for one, have grown to adore you and your posts. To thriving! Looking forwwrd to the linky.
Hi Carol, you are so good for my self-esteem and thank you for your support of my blog and my writing. It will be great to have you link up with us at the new link party. I’ll be writing a post about it the week before it starts on 31 January. Happy New Year and I wish you every success in life in 2018! xx
Love your new designs. You look so relaxed and kicked back and . . . thriving! Great word!
The photo was taken at a lunch just before Christmas when I met some blogging ladies who live in Queensland. It was the first time we had met face to face and we had a wonderful time. Thanks for the feed back on the website and I look forward to connecting more in 2018! xx
I love your word for the year! Thriving is so positive and ageless. Love the way your site is looking too. You go girl!
Hi Rebecca! You are right Thriving is ageless although I’m aiming at Over 50 I think the message could be for any age. Thanks for the positive feedback on the website, I’ve had a couple of other ideas which I might try – can’t help myself! Have a fabulous 2018 and it has been great to connect with you via BBB. xx
Love the new look! Clean and crisp and just feels nice. Awesome job!
Thanks Shelley it is a great way to start the New Year with a new look and you are also starting with a new website name! Way to go!
Sue, very cool! And what a great word that would be for me, but I might need a do-over on the word Balance! 😀
Hi Jean, yes Balance was my word in 2016 and not sure I actually succeeded but we need to try don’t we! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by x
OH MY STARS!! You have been working so hard over here. Your blog is just lovely. So airy and feminine and pretty. A very pretty place to be. Love it.
Ditto what your friend Carol said above. You are the epitome of the word THRIVE. Keep hoping you will rub off on me. XO
Oh you gorgeous woman! Thanks for your kind and supportive words. I’m pretty happy with the website but no doubt will still dabble with changes – I can’t help myself!xx
Thrive is a good word! I chose flourish last year {sort of an offshoot of thrive} and found it helpful! I hope you thrive in 2018!
Oh Flourish is a great word Sanch and I hope 2018 is a wonderful year for you x
Hi, Sue! I’m so glad to have discovered you and your lovely blog! The word “thrive” is so hopeful as well as purposeful. It’s a mantra for the ages!
Hi Linda! I’m so glad you discovered me and well and I’ve checked out your blog which is great and right in my niche. I hope you will become a regular visitor. Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful week. xx
♥ Playing catch up Sue, lots of new things in store for you, huh? I hope your Over 50 and Thriving Series is a success (and I know it will be)! Also, best wishes to you and Leanne on your new and upcoming link party! Shared onto Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw ♥
I think we all start playing catch up with commenting, Dee it can be never ending Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for your good wishes re the link party. xx