If you’re feeling lonely or invisible, joining groups are an excellent way to stay connected.

Several online websites and social media channels on lifestyle appeal to women after 50 in beauty, fashion, entertainment, food, and travel. I frequent some of these sites.

Just like ancient magic hotspots in a game, where players engage in ancient magic meter collect to enhance their abilities, these groups serve as pivotal locations where women can find support, solve problems, and enhance their capabilities.

As a woman over 50, I have earned my Ph.D. So, I decided to discuss topics outside the limelight.

My site, HoneyGood.com, and my three private FaceBook groups are for women facing challenges. All women have their ‘stuff’ and need an ear and advice from a woman like myself who has experienced more than her share and landed on her feet.

Let me tell you, problem-solving is not easy, but it is rewarding. Everything is doable when you have a desire and your peers by your side.

INTRODUCTION TO LIFE AFTER 50

Life after 50 can be a time of great change and exploration, as individuals explore new hobbies and pursue long-held passions. This stage of life can be a key time for building resilience and navigating life transitions. Overcoming these challenges can lead to significant personal growth and a sense of accomplishment, much like earning a challenge reward in a game. Many people in this age group are looking to create a sense of purpose and make a difference in their communities. Challenges such as health issues and retirement can be solved with the right support and resources. It’s never too late to start a new chapter in life and find new ways to stay engaged and active. Past experiences can inform and guide decisions about the future. Programs and services are available to support individuals in this stage of life. Participation in community activities can help build connections and foster a sense of belonging.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY BUILDING

Community building is a crucial aspect of creating a resilient and supportive environment where individuals can come together to explore and solve challenges. Just like in the Harry Potter series, where students work together to complete tasks and unlock new rewards, building a community involves collaboration and mutual support.

In the context of ocean conservation, community building plays a vital role in promoting sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. By creating a sense of community, individuals can support one another in their efforts to make a positive difference in the world.

Community building can take many forms, including team-based initiatives, partnerships, and open calls for participation. The best way to build a strong community is to start with a clear goal and objective, ensuring that all members are working together towards a common aim. By flying together, individuals can reach new heights and achieve great things, whether it’s cycling towards a greener future or running towards a more sustainable tomorrow.

Community building is a key component of creating a better world, and it requires effort, dedication, and a willingness to make a change. Together, we can build a resilient and supportive community that fosters growth, connection, and positive impact.

INVISIBLE NO MORE: EMBRACING AUTHENTICITY AND CONNECTION

Most women over 50 know how to cook a 25-minute dinner and sip on their favorite teas. This woman, after 50, is wise enough to realize she no longer needs to ‘gild the lily.’ Therefore, she wants to discuss real-life issues with a woman like myself and her peers to find answers and solutions that teach and uplift her.

For these reasons, the main thrust of honeygood.com, my website, is based on relationships, advice, and style (in my mind, a woman’s style is her biography. It tells everything about her).

My three private Facebook groups pinpoint situations many women encounter after age 50. These groups are made up of women who are facing disruptive events in life, each falling into a different category of challenges that require unique solutions and support.

“The inner you controls your posture, your smile, your emotions, your wit, your gait, your self-confidence, and your thinking. Start acknowledging your inner attributes, and your confidence will rise. Trust me, your outer beauty will take on a new look when you realize you have great self-worth.” — Honey Good

I don’t want to give the impression that I am a downer. I am anything but a downer. What I am is an upper and a realist. And, sweet reader, stuff happens to all of us. Perhaps it is a blended new family, a career change in later life, first-time solo travel, a lost job, a break-up in a relationship, financial grief, and the list goes on. You and I know women need women to help us with advice and friendship in all these situations, much like collecting traces to solve challenges in a game.

MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUPS:

1. Women Over 50: Celebrate Visibility
2. Sisters in Widowhood: Life Transitions
3. Estranged Mothers and Grandmothers: Millions Strong

I refer to myself as a realist. So, I decided on these three topics for my initial groups because they are not discussed in the media and I prefer not to sugarcoat a woman’s life over 50. Each group has its own start date and schedule to ensure that members can participate fully and benefit from the support offered. The fact is, women over 50 face estrangement from adult children (The New York Times in 2020 gave a figure of 67 million parents in the USA), widowhood at an alarming rate, and feeling invisible after 50 is a ‘visible’ force in society.

Why suffer alone and in silence? Why not have the opportunity to have an open dialogue with other women over 50 facing similar situations? “No man is an Island. No man lives alone.” — John Donne

I felt a desire to open the door with my authentic writings and groups to women because, you see, dear reader, I am the mother of estranged adult children. I was widowed in my 40s, and I think women’s groups and reading my authentic stories are better than visiting a shrink and cost a lot less money! As you know, private Facebook groups are free and provide detailed information, guidance, and resources to support women in these challenging times.

UNWRAP THE INNER YOU

This is what you will learn or discuss when you read my stories or join my group, Women Over 50 Celebrate Visibility. Firstly, you are not alone; secondly, uplifting solutions exist for these feelings.

Do you feel invisible? If so, search within, sweet reader, and visit your inner beauty. Just as one might find astronomy tables to unlock new challenges in a game, exploring your inner beauty can reveal new strengths and potentials. Have you been so worried and obsessed about your outer look that you have forgotten that 80% of your beauty is the inner you?

The inner you controls your posture, your smile, your emotions, your wit, your gait, your self-confidence, and your thinking. Start acknowledging your inner attributes, and your confidence will rise. Trust me, your outer beauty will take on a new look when you realize you have great self-worth.

The journey to self-discovery is filled with wonder, as you uncover the impressive aspects of your inner self and realize your true potential.

When you reach this conclusion, the muscles in your face will no longer be tight, and your smile will be warm and sincere. You will walk taller, laugh more, and have a ‘visibly’ beautiful presence. This is inner beauty at its finest.

How you view your inner beauty significantly impacts your overall self-esteem.

A TRUE STORY ABOUT FEELING INVISIBLE AND WHY I STARTED MY GROUPS

Seven years ago, I received a phone call from a young advertising man who wanted to run ads on HoneyGood. He asked me if I would put together a focus group of women over 50 because he wanted to understand how they felt because he was in his 40s. He flew in from Colorado, and I quickly assembled a group of women.

We sat around the little bar in our home in California. He asked questions. Suddenly and out of nowhere, a trendy woman, a psychologist, a woman of self-worth who traveled and had style, said, “I feel invisible.” The other women sitting around the bar looked up, startled. I must admit I was taken aback, too. I asked her why.

She told us she had visited her brother at his home at Thanksgiving and sat alone. The children played with one another. The parents gabbed with one another; her brother and his wife were busy preparing the meal. And there she was, as she said, feeling invisible. She explained it had nothing to do with feeling unloved. It was her age. Her time of life.

And then, the other women piped in and said, “I feel invisible.” They were all attractive, well-educated, well-traveled, and had husbands or significant others. They shared specific places and contexts where they felt invisible, whether at family gatherings, social events, or even in professional settings. And there she was, as she said, feeling invisible, unable to take matters into her own hand. OMG, I thought to myself – “The word invisible has never entered my mind except when I think of Casper the Ghost!”

MY MULTIGENERATIONAL GROUP AND THE AGING PROCESS

Over the next week or so, I thought about the word, invisible. It haunted me. So, one day, I picked up my phone and called ten women, told them the story, and asked them if they wanted to form a group to discuss women’s issues after 50. Not one woman turned me down; that, my darling, is how I started my groups. The group continued to meet regularly, with significant milestones achieved by June each year. That group lasted for three years until Covid came, and we sold our home in California, but the initiative we launched had already made a significant impact.

I missed the group, so when the New York Times asked me to invite a group of multigenerational women into my condo in the sky, I said yes!

So, I invited women aged 27 to 96 into our home, and they did not want the evening to end! The photographer from the NYT said, “I love the conversation, but I have to leave!”

The young asked questions of the women over 50, and the women over 50 asked the younger women questions. They left, hoping to meet again as a team. It was December, and my ultimate concierge and I left Chicago to spend the winter in our California home.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH WOMEN’S HEALTH GROUPS

From my experiences with women’s groups, I have learned that no one understands a woman better than another woman. As mentioned above, joining a group is far better therapy than visiting a shrink! Women love to talk and share their feelings. Do you know a woman who does not like to give her advice? I am smiling.

These groups serve as a platform for women to share their experiences, offer advice, and find the support they need to overcome their challenges, much like how an ancient magic meter enhances abilities in a game.

Therefore, who better than a group of women from all over the world experiencing the same dilemmas: feeling invisible, trials of widowhood, or estrangement from adult children, to help you over the hump? My feelings are women need women, and groups are the answer.

“We are the hero of our own story” – Mary McCarthy

When a woman joins one of my groups, she is eager for help and advice. She feels the need to come to terms with a problem(s) she is facing. She needs a group of women and partners facing her difficulty(s) to wrap their arms around her and tell her she is not alone. She also knows this is her opportunity to help her new female friends.

I want every woman to regain her optimism after she shuts down from an unexpected event. To stay shutdown is not living.

CLIMB THE STAIRS

Whether you are a woman going through the challenge of feeling invisible, the grief of widowhood, the tragedy of estrangement, or other problems, my sweet reader, you must take the bull by the horns and climb the stairs. It is hard work, and certain steps are required to overcome these challenges, but it will be a joyful experience to wake up with a smile on your face, a relaxed body, and the feeling of a ten-pound weight of anxiety and sadness lift, and in its place… peace, self-power, and joy.

I know because I wore some of your shoes. I was widowed, and I am the mother and grandmother of estranged adult children. Sadly, I know suffering. Through years of hard work, I have learned that I am the captain of my ship.

However, I can never again allow myself to wallow in grief, despair, anger, loneliness, and fear of the unknown. Instead, I will pick myself up and lead the best life. After doing my due diligence – mourning my losses, I choose survival, joy, and to track my progress in personal growth. And that is my goal for you.

I, TOO, HAVE UPS AND DOWNS

Sure, I have downtimes, but they are far less frequent because I suffered my losses by going through mourning. Mourning is a very personal and challenging process to solve. Many a woman tries to avoid it. Believe me, I know some of those women. I believe what the authors on grieving state, “You cannot return to truly enjoy a normal life until you go through the mourning process.”

It doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is; everyone faces challenges and has their own unique journey.

I mourned my late husband. It took a very long time, even though I married my ultimate concierge, who was a widower. He understood.

I mourned the loss of my estranged family. This has taken years of my life, and I hope not of my life.

Today, I stand firm.

BUILDING RESILIENCE

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and adversity. It’s an important trait to develop in order to navigate the ups and downs of life. There is a variety of strategies that can help build resilience, from practicing self-care to developing coping mechanisms. Practicing self-care and taking care of one’s physical and mental health can help build resilience. Connecting with others and building a support network can also help increase resilience. Learning to manage stress and develop coping strategies can help individuals stay resilient in the face of adversity. Focusing on the positive and practicing gratitude can help shift one’s perspective and build resilience. Taking care of one’s mental health is crucial for building resilience and staying healthy. Reaching out for help when needed is a sign of strength, not weakness.

NAVIGATING LIFE TRANSITIONS

Life transitions can be challenging, but they also offer opportunities for growth and change. Exploring new interests and pursuing new passions can help individuals navigate life transitions and set meaningful goals for their future. Seeking out support from friends, family, or a therapist can help individuals cope with the emotional aspects of life transitions. Taking the time to reflect on one’s values and goals can help individuals make informed decisions about their future. Staying open to new experiences and opportunities can help individuals find new paths and pursue their dreams. Creating a plan and setting goals can help individuals stay focused and motivated during life transitions. Celebrating milestones and acknowledging accomplishments can help individuals stay positive and motivated. Embracing change and being open to new experiences can help individuals thrive in the face of life transitions.

SETTING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Setting goals and objectives is an essential part of building a strong community, as it provides a clear direction and focus for collective efforts. When setting goals, it’s important to choose objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

In the context of Ancient Magic, setting goals and objectives can help individuals collect and master new spells, unlock new rewards, and increase their storage capacity. By finding and completing Astronomy Tables, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the world and universe, and develop new skills and abilities.

Setting goals and objectives can also help individuals overcome challenges and obstacles, and reach new heights of success and achievement. The Merlin Trials provide a great example of how setting goals and objectives can help individuals progress and grow, as they solve puzzles and unlock new rewards.

By working together and supporting one another, individuals can achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world. Setting goals and objectives is a fun and rewarding process, as it allows individuals to track their progress and celebrate their successes. Together, we can create a community that thrives on shared goals and collective achievements.

GIVING BACK

Why do I authentically share my feelings with you, my dear reader, or group followers? Why am I not afraid to share my vulnerable side with you?

It is because I want to give back to you. My goal through my stories on Honeygood.com and in my Facebook groups is to help you find the power to live your best life possible: walk with your head held high and a smile on your face while thinking to yourself… Here I am world. Hear my roar. Participating in our community activities not only provides support but also offers valuable rewards that enhance your journey and personal growth.

Remember, sweet reader Mary McCarthy’s quote:

“We are the Hero of our own story” – Mary McCarthy.

Amen. I am smiling!

INTRODUCTION TO FITNESS: EMBRACING A NEW JOURNEY

As we age, prioritizing physical activity and exercise becomes essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. Engaging in resistance training and strength training is crucial for building muscle mass and increasing muscle strength, which can help prevent the loss of muscle and bone density. A well-structured exercise program can empower older adults to maintain their independence and perform everyday tasks with ease.

Just like flying on a broom in a game, starting a new fitness journey can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

Incorporating aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, running, or using a stationary bike, can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, integrating core exercises and weight training into your workout routine can enhance balance and reduce the risk of injuries. Consulting with a physical therapist or sports medicine professional is vital to create a personalized exercise program that suits your needs and goals.

It’s important to recognize that women’s health and men’s health require different approaches to fitness. Therefore, considering these differences when creating an exercise program is crucial for achieving the best results.

BUILDING MUSCLE MASS: STRENGTH IN EVERY STEP

Building muscle requires a combination of resistance training and a healthy diet rich in whole grains and lean protein. Lifting weights and using resistance bands in structured sets can effectively increase muscle mass and improve muscle strength. To continue challenging your muscles and promoting muscle growth, it’s essential to focus on progressive overload.

Rest and recovery play a crucial role in muscle growth, so allowing your muscles time to rest between workouts is vital. Proper nutrition is also key, and consuming enough protein supports muscle repair and growth. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day is equally important for muscle health.

Consistency is the cornerstone of building muscle. Sticking to your workout routine and diet plan is essential to see the desired results. Remember, every step you take towards building muscle is a step towards a stronger, healthier you.

AEROBIC EXERCISE FOR HEALTH: KEEPING THE HEART YOUNG

Aerobic exercise is essential for heart health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Engaging in activities like brisk walking, jogging, and cycling are excellent forms of aerobic exercise that can significantly improve cardiovascular health. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another effective way to boost cardiovascular health and increase calorie burn.

Engaging in fun activities like popping balloons during a workout can make aerobic exercise more enjoyable and motivating.

For those seeking low-impact options, swimming and water aerobics are gentle on the joints while providing excellent aerobic benefits. Dancing and Zumba offer fun and energetic ways to improve coordination and balance while getting your heart pumping.

Aerobic exercise also offers mental health benefits, helping to reduce stress and anxiety while improving mood and overall health. Using a map to track your progress in aerobic activities can be motivating and help you visualize your improvements over time. Before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have underlying health conditions, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s safe and effective for you.

MAINTAINING MUSCLE THROUGH DIET: NOURISHING THE BODY

Proper nutrition is essential for muscle growth and maintenance. Consuming enough protein supports muscle repair and growth, while whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and the right gear are vital for muscle health. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day is also crucial for maintaining muscle health. Proper nutrition can lead to increased storage of essential nutrients, which supports muscle repair and growth.

Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can help support muscle health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Eating frequent meals throughout the day can aid in muscle growth and maintenance. Incorporating supplements such as protein powder and creatine can also support muscle growth and maintenance.

To create a personalized diet plan that suits your needs and goals, it’s essential to consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist. They can provide expert guidance on the best dietary choices to support your muscle health and overall well-being.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Planning for the future can help individuals achieve their goals and secure their financial well-being. Setting clear goals and priorities can help individuals create a plan that works for them. Seeking out professional advice from a financial advisor can help individuals make informed decisions about their money. Creating a budget and tracking expenses can help individuals stay on top of their finances. Building an emergency fund can help individuals weather financial storms and stay secure. Investing in retirement accounts and planning for long-term care can help individuals secure their financial future. Staying informed about changes in the economy and market trends can help individuals make informed decisions about their investments. Reviewing and updating one’s plan regularly can help individuals stay on track and achieve their goals.

Please share this story with other women! 

Are you a member of one or more of my groups? Would you take a moment to share your experiences with our community here in the comments?

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