This post is part of the Gorgeous 50’s series inspired by a book given to me by one of my sisters on my 50th birthday – ‘Grown up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson. I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way. To see all posts published as part of this series, go here.
We’ve come to the end of The Gorgeous 50’s series, having covered ‘the majority’ of what Pamela Robson wrote about in her book ‘Grown-up & Gorgeous in your 50’s’, a book my sister gave me on my 50th birthday.
Pamela’s final words:
Be a doer, not a dreamer. It’s easy to let life slip by. But if you stop every now and then, take stock, and work out solid goals for the next part of your life, you’ll find that you can pack so much in. More importantly, you can do the things that are important to you. Decide on one action that you can do today, and go for it. See you in your 60s!
My final words as part of this series:
I announced The Gorgeous 50s series on 13 July 2017 and the first post of the series on 20 July 2017 was The Gorgeous 50’s – Beauty. So, I’ve been doing posts as part of this series for around 2 years and 6 months – quite a long time! It’s been educational, eye opening, intriguing, interesting and fun – but it’s time now to move forward into whatever 2020 and beyond might bring!
As we get older we start to realise that time is of the essence and we begin to have an increasing need to spend our time in a way that fulfills us and makes us feel peaceful and contented. So, yes – I agree that now is the time to be a doer and not just a dreamer. I say not ‘just’ a dreamer because I AM a dreamer and I see nothing wrong with that … as long as you put some of those dreams into action by being a ‘doer’.
I’m not the most adventurous but I have been a doer in some ways. I had an interest in photography so I DID do a short course. I liked it so I went further and I DID do a Diploma in Professional Photography. I like to write and be creative so I DID jump in and start a blog back in September 2012 and I’m still here blogging 7.4 years later! I had an interest in fostering kittens to help save lives and to feel more like I was contributing to society so I DID jump in and submit my interest, attended the training and here I am now fostering. In all these things there have been and are fears involved … but I jumped in anyway. If they don’t work out, well at least I gave them a try.
So yes I’m a doer … but I could be more so. There are dreams I have that have not been fulfilled. I won’t list them all but a big one is that I’d really like to travel a bit more. I’m not one for constant travel. I’m a homebody and love being home but I also love to learn and travel opens you up to so much learning and wonderful experiences and I’d like more of that. I would also like a white Christmas one year, and there are more dreams that I’d like to make a reality.
Being a doer though, does not mean you need to say YES to everything and be ‘busy’. I’m actually anti busy. In fact I feel the need to be more unbusy! So to me, being a doer is all about not letting fears stop you from doing things you’d really love to do, and following through on things you say you’re going to do. It’s not about pleasing others or saying yes to all and sundry. It’s not about being busy, busy, busy!
Thank you so much for reading this series and for your support along the way. For anyone who hasn’t read the series and would like to peruse some of it’s posts – you can find them all HERE or alternatively if you’d like to select from the series categories of Beauty/Wardrobe/Body/Health/Living, go to the menu bar at the top of the blog and select Ageing Positively/The Gorgeous 50’s … and then you’ll get another menu to select from those categories.
I’m not sure what topics I might post on in the future but there are sure to be more around midlife and all those things that concern and interest us in this phase of life. Meanwhile – if you have a dream that you’d really, really love to do – don’t waste time – work out how you might make it a reality and just do it!
Finally, thank you to Pamela Robson for the words and thoughts within her book that inspired this series!
Ciao for now,
It’s Thursday so it’s time to share what you’re loving about life right now.
Click on the link below to share your post and/or read what others are loving about life.
25 Comments
I’m a doer and a dreamer…I’m not sure whether I’m a doer for my dreams though…or just a doer for other people’s…or somewhere in the middle…all of which is quite philosophical for early on a Thursday morning. As an aside, I’ve enjoyed Pamela’s book through you. Did she write one about the 60s?
Hi Jo – I hope you’re a doer for your own dreams! I wasn’t sure if Pamela had written a book for the 60’s but a Google search tells that yes she has. Here’s a link to it at the Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Grown-Up-Gorgeous-Your-60S-Pamela-Robson/9781741668032?ref=grid-view&qid=1579827372128&sr=1-2 If I’m still blogging when I’m in my 60’s maybe I’ll do another series based on that book! 😉
Congrats on completing The Gorgeous 50s series, Min! I encourage you to “just do it” and fulfill your dreams. I also use the words “make it happen” for myself. #lovin’lifelinky
Thankyou Natalie! I like the words “make it happen”. 🙂 xo
Hi Min, I’ve really enjoyed the series and hasn’t the time flown since the first post. I’m a doer and driven but over the last six months I’ve realised that ‘trying to do it all’ doesn’t work. I can still be a ‘doer’ and achieve my goals but I’m letting go of what isn’t as important to me and keeping my l focus on one or two of my goals rather than trying to do it all. #lovein’lifelinky
Hi Sue, thank you and yes the time has flown that’s for sure! I completely understand about ‘trying to do it all’ not working. I’ve been at it again and I’m feeling the consequences. The first step to improve things and lighten our load is to let go of those things that aren’t so important so you’re on the right track. I’m sure you’ll be hitting goals left, right and centre in 2020 but with balance and healthy habits. xo
Hi Min, yes I’ve started 2020 in a much more positive and contented way compared to the last few months of 2019. Balance and healthy habits are the way to go and I’m excited about the year to come. I saw a quote the other day which was basically saying Don’t Wait – Just Do it! So your post has also reinforced that in my mind. We will never be totally ready for things so we might as well give it a go and usually we surprise ourselves. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL it is lovely having you back with us this year. xx
Thanks Sue and you’re right – we’re never totally ready for things so you’ve just gotta jump in and do it! xo
It was a great series Min – and interesting to see which parts we agreed with and which were not as relevant to us as Pamela thought they’d be! ATM I’m being very careful to NOT be a “do-er” after always juggling several balls over the last few decades, I’ve decided that this next decade is going to be my UnBusy time and I’m just going to go with the flow. I don’t think I’ll be sitting on my bottom the whole time, but I’m going to let life come to me instead of chasing it down the street (as I’ve done in the past!)
I’m glad you enjoyed the series Leanne, thank you! I can understand what you’re saying about not being a “do-er”. I need to learn to be more un-busy. I’m a work in progress! xo
I think we’re all works in progress in this area Min – but I’m finding that when I’m kinder to myself and stop judging myself based on “productivity” or “keeping up appearances” I can finally breathe more freely and enjoy life more. I write about it because it’s something I think we all need to keep in mind while society screams at us to do more and be more.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
I think being a doer has helped me overcome a lot of self doubt and fear. The older I get the less worried about other’s opinions of me I am so it helps me to just get on with it!
Good for you Christina! I’m less worried about the opinion of me of others too but not quite enough I think! There’s still some niggles *sigh*.
Maybe for your next series, you could interview women in this season of life about how they are achieving their dreams. You mentioned that you would like to experience a white Christmas. Maybe you could write a post about the places you are considering visiting to realize this dream. And an article on where you want to travel and what you would do in each place. Then encourage others to identify their dreams and the way they are working toward achieving them.
Would love to have you link up with us for bucket list posts or wellness weekends!
I think I need to hire you as part of the WOTM team! LOL You have some great ideas Leslie! Definitely food for thought. Thankyou! I need to familiarise myself with the bucket list posts and wellness weekends. I think I’m a bit out of the loop. I struggle to keep up with everything these days! Menopausal brain I think! xo
Good for you for being a doer! I think as we get older, experiences mean more to us than things. Many times, the most difficult part of doing something is taking that first step. Congratulations on encouraging others to do the smae.
I agree that experiences mean more to us than things as we get older. Thanks Laurie! xo
Min, it seems as if you are a ‘selective doer’, which is the absolute best kind – you consider what makes you happy instead of just staying busy. Thanks for the encouragement and congratulations on completing the series.
Thanks Suzanne! You hit the nail on the head – I’m quite selective! lol I have a history of being a people pleaser but nowadays I try and understand myself more and make it a priority to look after my own need (and of course still caring about others)! xo
Well-done on the series. I think I am far more of a doer than a dreamer….I think I need to let go a bit of doing. It’s pretty hard though. I must check out the 60s book but then I have missed that boat too now I am, sheesh 70!
Denyse
Thanks Denyse! I’m a BIG dreamer. So many great things are planned and happen in my head. More so than what actually happens. I do need for more of my dreams to make it out of my head! Not sure that she’s written a book on the 70’s yet but she probably will! xo
Looks like you well and truly got value out of that book! I love the ‘just do it’ motto (we call it Nike in our house). I do agree with Pam about taking stock and setting goals for ourselves every once in a while. I do that a lot and it helps keep me on track. Thanks for the series.
I remember back in 2012 when I did Michelle Bridges 12WBT program she had a saying that was JFDI – Just *&*? Do It. Some said what you’re thinking for the F word and other said ‘freakin’. I did get good value out of that book – that’s for sure! LOL Thanks Christine.
Such a great series Min, I’m looking up the book of 60 as we speak!! I’m a doer too and love your use of my WOTY JUMP in your post – it is the perfect way of describing what I mean by jumping into life. Thanks so much for sharing your insights over this time. #mlstl
You’ve certainly been doing a lot of jumping into life of late Deb. Thanks so much. xo