My next guest in the Over 50 & Thriving Series is the delightful, Debbie from Deb’s World, who has been a regular guest on Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond . I met Debbie through the blogosphere last year and quickly developed a firm friendship. A fellow ‘Aussie’, Deb and I share many things in common especially our love of fitness and health. We both enjoy keeping fit – I love to run and so does Deb, however, she rides a bike and at 60 I still cannot get the hang of riding a bike! We also share a love of travelling.
In her guest post today, Deb shares her word for the year ‘FOCUS’ and how we can regain our focus after 50. Deb raises some important issues in her post such as the feeling of losing part of ourselves when we retire but you will have to read her post to find out more!
Regaining Your Focus After 50
I’m definitely in with right crowd here as I hurtle my way towards 60. I have learnt a lot from Sue through following her blog Sizzling Towards 60 and Beyond. Being connected to fit, passionate and interesting women like Sue, and other bloggers in similar situations, makes it easy for me as I approach my late 50s. I am keen to thrive this year, as per Sue’s word for the year.
Up until recently I hadn’t used a word for the year but in the beginning of 2017 I inadvertently used the phrase ‘New Horizons’ and decided in hindsight that this was my word for the year. It was indeed a year of New Horizons as it was my first full year of retirement. I wrote a guest post, my Annual Report so to speak, for Donna at Retirement Reflections all about my year and it was a great summary of my reflections.
Bring on 2017 – Weekly Photo Challenge
Guest Post Series: Reflections on My First Year of Retirement
This year I have chosen FOCUS as my word, along with a fistful of other F words – fitness, friendship, family, fun along with photography and blogging. I want to slow myself down, stop being so flighty, reduce my multitasking and try to focus on one thing at a time. I’m easily distracted, prone to procrastination and in order to thrive this year I will need to focus! Sue’s a great source of inspiration and I love the meaning of her word thrive – to prosper, grow and flourish – this will suit me just fine! See more F words already 🙂
As we age we can sometimes feel we lose part of ourselves but since retiring I have tried to continue being of interest and to surround myself with interesting people. It was part of my reasoning behind starting a new feature on my blog last year, where I interviewed interesting bloggers and shared their responses in guest posts each week. Sue just happened to be one of my guests! People of Interest on Deb’s World
I remember reading some great advice – don’t ask me where – that said:
Surround yourself with these types of people – inspiring, encouraging and passionate.
And another one:
There’s nothing more beautiful than a woman with a story – make these stories, be a story teller, collect memories.
These descriptions typify my blogging community and also my friends and family!
How have I thrived since turning 50?
- I have become more comfortable in my own skin (although this can be a day by day issue)
- I have become more confident in myself and my views and expressing these said views
- I have learnt to listen more to what’s being said and sometimes what’s not being said
- I am open to adventures and challenges – and blogging is a big one!
- I try not to let my age concern me; it really is just a number!
- I appreciate my health and well-being more than ever.
- I value my relationships but know when to back off.
- I try to continue to be interesting and interested in others.
It’s not been an easy road especially being made redundant from a rewarding job at 56, but I must admit I’ve grown through it and I continue to thrive!
All the best to you interesting people out there! Thanks for the support and encouragement you continue to shower upon me, I wouldn’t be the blogger I am without you.
Meet Debbie
A calm and friendly exterior often hides her busy mind. Her soul constantly burns with curiosity and passion. A day wasted is a crime to her so she tries to fill them with unforgettable memories and unbeatable friends. A real force of nature!
She knows what she likes and how she wants to live her life. She likes to surround herself with great friends and wonderful family. She has no time for liars, troublemakers and general negative influences. She does things her way!
Connect with Debbie:
Blog: https://www.debs-world.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wonderwomandebz
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/debs__world
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldaccordingtoDebbie
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wonderwomandebz
G+ – https://plus.google.com/+DebsWorld
StumbleUpon: https://stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Debs-world
Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@DebsWorld
Click here to catch up on my previous guests in Over 50 & Thriving Series
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19 Comments
Thanks for having me on your blog today Sue. I love the supportive environment you’ve created and being a part of it makes me feel special. X
I always love having you as a guest Deb and hope that you will be a guest in the future. You are special so remember that! xx
Your list of ways you have thrived since turning 50 really resonated with me. Appreciate that you are generally more comfortable in your own skin. I can say that, too, which is interesting because I am not in the shape I was 30 years ago when I had zero confidence! Ha!
And how wise to listen closely to what is being said and what is not. I appreciate your curious nature, too. I am pretty certain I am not curious but would like for you to rub off on me.
Hi Leslie, I’m glad my thoughts resonated with you. We’re not that much different when it comes down to it – it’s how we react and respond that matters. I’ve learnt that listening is very important and hearing what’s not being said. It’s funny how we can feel comfortable in our bodies despite the changes to them over the years and our levels of confidence in ourselves waxes and wanes. I love being inquisitive and am happy to have this rub off on you!! All the best ?
You are beautiful Leslie and I think you are a curious person! I’m so pleased you enjoyed Deb’s contribution and it will be your turn soon. Have a great weekend and enjoy! xx
Great advice Debbie. Your list of ways to thrive would serve us all well, and I love the quote, “There is nothing more beautiful than a woman with a story.” May we all be that woman–interested and interesting. Have a marvelous day!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my post Christie. I’m usually not one to dish out advice but in this case I’m happy to have shared some of my thoughts and favourite quotes. I love that we all have a story to tell.
I loved Debbie’s contribution, Christie and that quote is perfect for all of us isn’t it? Have a beautiful weekend xx
Hi, Deb – This is such a wonderful post! I love the quotes that you selected, especially about women being ‘unapologetically themselves.’ That is such a fabulous motto to live by…and I believe you model it well!!
Hi, Sue – Thank you for sharing Deb’s post today. I am greatly enjoying this series.
I’ve loved all of my guest posts Donna and I’m really very excited about the response from everyone. Have a beautiful week, my friend xx
Thanks Donna! I really love these quotes too. As we age we need to remember we have stories, we are interesting and we are of value for all that we’ve seen and done.
Lovely to see you featuring another one of my favourite bloggers Sue. And Debbie you are so right in all those lessons you’ve learned since turning 50. It’s a fabulous age and stage – but it also has times of struggle too – I guess it’s all about balance and focus and keeping our priorities in the right order.
I’m surrounded by wonderful blogging friends Leanne and yes, Deb is a favourite of mine as well xx
Thanks Leanne, you are so right! Balancing everything out can be hard at times. It’s a great stage of our lives that we are privileged to get to enjoy. Priorities are a must and I think the wisdom we’ve accumulated can help us through the ups and downs. Thanks for your kind words, this is a beautiful community.
Focus is such a great word when it’s so easy to get distracted in a world with so much social media! Thanks for sharing Sue! #BloggersPitStop
I know Roseann it is really a battle for me. Yet, if I do take a break from social media and the blog I find I’m more relaxed and enjoy life more. xx
Thanks Roseann, there is so much social media sometimes that we end up being very unsociable! I need to take regular breaks or I just become overwhelmed. by it all,
Hi Debbie, I’m stopping by from the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty today and it is so nice to meet you! I loved the quotes you chose to use, each one was so encouraging and uplifting. I also enjoyed your honest and inspirational post! I’ve pinned and shared.
Great advice and quotes, enjoyed your post Debbie. Shared on Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw ♥