Why write a book about women in their sixties?
In my sixties I learned that many women did not want to discuss the decade— beyond complaints about looks and physical limitations—but, when given the opportunity, they would gladly write about their feelings, their hopes, their thoughts, and experiences of the decade and share their views with others.
Would women of the same decade be interested? Judging by the response, women were fascinated by the experiences of others, because so often we learn more about ourselves when we read about the lives of others. Women have described the insights in the book to be valuable, inspiring, heartfelt, and comforting, and that they no longer feel alone with their feelings in this decade.
Married, divorced, single, widowed, women who are working and women who are retired or semi-retired, each woman writes with a distinct perspective on this pivotal decade when we have the time to look back on the past, assess the present, and plan for the future.
Just some of the themes in the book ….
How society views older women and how women respond
Changing directions in life, sometimes in unexpected ways
Preparing for the future with uncertainty around health
Finding new and exciting ways to explore the decade, new ventures and opportunities
Discovering oneself after decades of being someone else dictated by work, family, or life
Views shared on makeup and clothing and the changes to body and skin, shape and size
Adapting to different versions of ourselves over the decades, wife, mother, parent, elder caregiver, bread-winner, working partner—who am I now?
Coping with mental health and recovery
Women write about widowhood, divorce, dating, grandparenting, and children