Spins the grin

How To Live Your Best Life

Want in on a few of the secrets for how to live your best life? With over six decades of experience, I’ve got it all sorted out and it would be a shame if I kept this valuable knowledge to myself.


But first, you might be asking yourself “what’s up with the umbrella?” and I’m happy to address that question. Usually, it’s the on-shore/off-shore breezes that are common where I live that must be contended with during photo shoots. In my drought-plagued state, it’s not often rain that’s the disruptor but I’m not going to complain. We need every drop and if I have to dodge a few drops while I’m in front of the camera, so be it. Besides, an umbrella is a great prop to hold and it gives me something to do with my hands besides doing the “peanut hold”. What’s up, my Forever Fierce sisters? #IYKYK

While the target audience of this blog may be women in the “midst of life”, the secrets I going to share can apply to anyone, of any age. After all, who doesn’t want to live their best life and who better to guide you in doing so than someone who has figured it out? Before you start thinking that this is a marketing ploy to get you to buy something, I assure you that it’s not.

So, I’ll cut to the chase … I don’t know how YOU can live YOUR best life.

All I can do is tell you what I’ve figured out along the way of living mine.

First, there is nothing to be gained in comparing your situation/progress/life to any other’s. It does you no good as you either will feel that you come up lacking or you use another’s misfortunes to bolster your opinion of your own success. We can be and need to be our own best cheerleaders while at the same time, we cheer on those around us. This point is made far more elegantly (and funnier) by Iliza Shlesinger in her latest Netflix Special. The Husband and I came across the show when looking for something to watch recently and it’s the best stand-up we’ve seen in a long time.

Next on the list of things I’ve figured out is that time and aging are not the enemy. Time and age are simply measurements but ones that fit neither the “less is more” or “more is better” adages. Instead of being laser-focused on age and defying the march of time, I find myself more interested on being relatable and willing to adapt to changes. The author of The Mindf*ck of Midlife, an article on aging that I came across recently on TheCut, ends her thoughts with this;

Aging is a privilege, a measure of fullness, a gift of time, even when it takes as much as it gives. Yet we focus our conversations about this inevitable process entirely on the physical. If we made more space for people to age in a generous way, free of the external pressures to wear the right jeans or part our hair in the most youthful way, how much more pleasurable could it be?

And one more the secrets on how to live your best life that I’ll share is that it’s never too late. To expand your knowledge, to learn new skills, to find new passions, or rediscover old ones. While my 5-year plan may greatly vary in substance from those of my 20-something children, the determination to achieve those goals is just as important to my well-being as theirs is for them. And it’s never too late to realize that it’s time to veer from the path you’ve been on. For those who are familar with Lyn Slater of Accidental Icon fame, she has recently thus veered and explains this turn in her life at How To Be Old.

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Outfit details: Cardigan, Ascot&Hart x Target (inspired by @happykickss); Top, Target; Jeans, Kut From The Kloth (thrifted); Sneakers, Converse (inspired by a woman I saw while shopping)

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. Today’s featured post from the last link-up was added by Jacqui over at Mummabstylish. In her post, Jacqui shares the details of a lovely afternoon tea she enjoyed recently with her daughter and mother. It sounded and looked delicious.

One final thought on how to live your best life. Is it ok to let go? My answer to that is most definitely yes. Learning to accept that some things can’t/won’t change or be achievable keeps you from getting stuck in the past and allows you to move forward.

To those who may have been wondering where I disappeared to during December, my apologies if I caused you any worries for my well-being. All is fine. I simply got overwhelmed with other obligations and succumbed to a bit of holiday season angst. Thank you for sticking with me.


Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Photo credit: MMPerez

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22 Comments

  3. nylseesahc

    I love this post. A positive realistic perspective is everything.

  4. marsha57

    I am so glad you are back! I admit to being worried! Gosh, don’t you wish you did have the answers to how to live your best life? You could really live your best life with all that money and accolades! I have found living my best life is just accepting the things I can’t change, changing the things I can (looking at you weight loss), and just living in the moment. Am I successful every day? Absolutely not. But, I think, for the most part, once I retired, I left behind schedules, worry over artificial measurements, and toxic relationships. Instead, I replaced it with living each day as I want, worrying over real measurements, and avoiding creating new toxic relationships. So far? Life is wonderful…perfect…nope! But, it’s my life and it’s going well! Please come visit for a link party on the 10th (which is already today for me)! Thanks for the link party!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

  5. Gail Is This Mutton

    Great that you’re back! Thanks for this fascinating post. For me, life is indeed about finding new passions and rediscovering old ones. And it applies to people of all ages. I read that when people are dying, the thing they say most frequently is “I wish I’d let myself be happier” . Very sad.

  6. Mica - Away From The Blue

    This is such a fun casual outfit and I really like that cardigan – it’s just so cheerful! 🙂 Cute and comfortable for a rainy day.

    Thanks for sharing your tips too, and for the link up!

  9. thisblondesshoppingbag

    Happy New Year Rena and thank you for a great article! So true, aging really is just a measure and I love the quote you included. What we focus on we get more of so maybe we need to start focusing on embracing age and celebrating it rather than defying it!
    Thanks for a great read!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  11. Michelle

    I’ll be perusing your links. But such excellent points, Rena. Especially, “aging is a privilege.” And I love all the whimsy in this outfit – the hearts in the jeans, the flowers on the sweater. So happy! I hope you and your husband are safe in these horrendous storms.

    Michelle
    https://funkyfashionstyle.com

  13. Joanne

    Such great advice! And I love your outfit; umbrella and all.

  15. The Grey Brunette

    It’s so good to see you back on the blog, Rena! I also took some time over Christmas to just not worry about blogging or social media, and it was refreshing! I loved reading this post, and I love your outfit. That cardigan is utter perfection!
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

  17. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    Welcome back, Rena. Good advice. This quote “Aging is a privilege … even when it takes as much as it gives” is very similar to what I’ve been saying to myself for a long time. After I passed the age my older sister was when she died, I’ve said “Janice would have been happy to be [this age].” Thank you for hosting. My new post (now monthly) is number 66.

  18. Lucy Bertoldi

    Happy New Year Rena:) I too have been off the blog for the holidays and some- it was just too much…or rather, I’ve been following exactly what you just wrote about in your post! I love what you wrote- honestly, I feel so happy that I am in my 60’s- the freedom is incredible. Yes I work, but it’s because I want to. So much pressure is off thinking that the older I get the more I’m the boss of me and I mostly do what I want to do. I’m taking way better care of myself now than I did when I was a younger mom for decades. I love this part of my life. Thanks for sharing this great post.

  19. helenfern

    I’m finally settling back into a routine – I’ve missed a lot of parties! Thanks for hosting. Have a great weekend.