I always use to hear my mother say, Life begins at 40. Mine began at 50. I was unemployed, in a new flat with no furniture, but I was finally content. It was a chance for me to start again after a divorce. I furnished my flat and eventually found a job.(Yes in that order) I realized it was easier to furnish my flat than get a job. My children are now adults and I have done my bit. I prepared them for the world as best as I could. Now I am a proud parent of two boys who are very responsible men, and taking on the world.

Today, I live alone through choice, and I am far from lonely. I love my own company, and I am doing the things I love and having as much fun as is possible. I do what I want when I want which is totally freeing.

Doing the things you enjoy at 50 plus is so refreshing. Its almost like an elixir. Looking after yourself becomes easier. For instance, my shopping list can be healthy if I choose, without worrying about anyone else, and I do choose health. I don’t have much in my cupboard or fridge as I want to avoid snacking when I am home relaxing. I do however give myself the odd treat, and I don’t have to share my chocolate! I am a firm believer in, ‘everything in moderation’. To me you cant go wrong, if you keep that in mind. I often say to people always be in control, and don’t be controlled by anything. We all know what it is like to be addicted to things, but we must do all we can to beat our addictions. There is always a solution. What works for one person, may not work for another, but we must never give up trying.

One of my past addictions was eating take-away fast food frequently, I was just being lazy but I knew I had to do something about it, when my waist was constantly expanding. I decided to just stop and eat more healthily and avoid snacking in front of the television all of the time, as a result, I lost 10lb. Although my tummy has not completely disappeared, I can see a difference in my body. Snacking was becoming a bad habit. From time to time, I do the ‘snacking’ , yes it does come back, but all I do is keep an eye on my weight, so that those pounds don’t creep back on.

Being 50 plus can also be a really good time to follow an old dream. Many of us had dreams, and it took a back seat when we got married or raised children. The dreams have not died they are still there, and you can choose to awaken them, or carry on as normal. The choice is there.
I have found my niche at 50 plus, and that is selling. When I was younger, I had thought about having a little boutique. Now, I am selling at car boots, and it is a start. I am enjoying every minute of it!

My dream is to spend my senior years in Spain. It is such a wonderful place. Its so serene. I love the lifestyle. The siesta is such a great way of life. My plan is to spend as much time there as I can. I am determined to enjoy my life.

When I was unemployed, I was stuck in a rut, at the age of 53 it became more and more difficult to get back into work. The strange thing is, as soon as I got back into a job, I have all this energy and ideas and my business head has woken up. Why didn’t I think of this years before? but another thing my mum always said was ‘nothing done before its time’ .So I guess the time is now. So, instead of looking back at the what if’s and should have, and could have, I am embracing this very rewarding time.

Looking back though I can honestly say that the negative attitudes and feedback around unemployment does not encourage anyone to be positive . Once the stigma was no longer there, I had a different mindset. I don’t see myself retiring, so it is just as well I have found my niche at this turning point in my life. Things couldn’t be better.

There is always a fresh start available if we want it. I have learnt to create the life I want in my mind. It really does work. Visualizing and writing things down really is very powerful.

I am also realizing that it is ok to change your mind. Sometimes on our travels through life, we reach a turning point, and all that we thought we wanted, fades, and we decide that we want to do something else. It is ok. I think it happens because we have got all that we are going to get from that time, and we are ready to embrace change. I am at the time of my life, where I just want to laugh as much as I can, and get involved in ‘fun’ things. I am involved in a group called Your Space, and every Monday, we come together have a chat , a laugh, and have lunch together. I enjoy it. Life is really and truly what you make it. We created where we are today without even realizing it. Our thoughts did the creating.

There are times though, when I believe the universe intervenes. The door is often shut on an opportunity we had our heart set on, and we don’t know why. All I do, is trust that universe knows why. My thoughts at the moment are creating a life of luxury. Enjoying everything that is good. I am a witness at the moment to ‘through every cloud, there is a silver lining’. Throughout untimely and unfortunate events in my life, I have been blessed, and for that, I am so grateful.

Cynthia Lawson
Life Skills Mentor