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Originally posted at: Dara Levitan’s White Contrast Tie Top and Denim Skirt

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Have you ever noticed how easy it is to feel like you’re falling short?

You might be having a perfectly good day… and then suddenly, there it is. An advert for a new skincare product. A “miracle” supplement. A fitness routine promising to flatten, lift, smooth, or reverse something.

Before you know it, a quiet thought slips in:

“Maybe I should try that…”

I see it in my own life, too. My social media feed is filled with collagen powders, anti-ageing creams, and exercises designed to fix parts of the body that, apparently, aren’t quite right anymore.

And while none of these things are inherently wrong, the message underneath can be.

It suggests that something is missing.

That we are somehow not enough as we are.

When Did We Start Believing We Needed Fixing?

Many women in their 60s and beyond have spent decades caring for others, building careers, raising families, and navigating life’s ups and downs.

And yet, instead of feeling a sense of completion, we’re often encouraged to keep striving – to improve, to correct, to become.

But what if this constant push for improvement is actually taking us further away from ourselves?

What if, instead of needing more, we simply need to reconnect?

Coming Back to Ourselves

Over time, it’s easy to lose touch with our inner voice.

We become so used to listening outward – to experts, trends, and advice – that we forget how to listen inward.

But that inner voice is still there.

It’s the quiet knowing that tells you when you’re tired. When something doesn’t feel right. When you need rest, or space, or even joy.

The challenge is not that this voice disappears – it’s that it gets drowned out.

A Simple Way Back: The Breath

One of the most gentle and powerful ways I’ve found to reconnect is through breathwork. Not in a complicated or overwhelming way – but simply by slowing down and paying attention.

When we breathe intentionally, we begin to notice what is happening inside us.

We may feel tension we didn’t realise we were holding. Emotions we’ve pushed aside. Or even a sense of calm we haven’t felt in a long time.

Breathwork, particularly the approach I share in my practice, is not about doing something perfectly. It’s about allowing yourself to pause and listen.

And in that listening, something begins to soften.

Learning to Trust Ourselves Again

When we create space to tune in, we start to recognise what we actually need – not what we’ve been told we should want.

We may realise:

• We don’t need another product – we need rest.
• We don’t need to change our body – we need to appreciate it.
• We don’t need to keep striving – we need to feel at peace.

Many women who explore breathwork describe feeling calmer, more present, and more connected to themselves.

Not because they’ve added something new, but because they’ve returned to what was already there.

A Different Way of Living

This doesn’t mean we stop caring about our health or wellbeing. It simply means we approach it differently.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” we begin to ask, “What do I need right now?”

Instead of chasing solutions, we start listening for answers within.

And from that place, life can feel more grounded, more spacious… and more fulfilling.

A Gentle Reminder

After everything you’ve lived through and experienced, perhaps the most important thing to remember is this:

You are not something to be fixed.

You are not behind.

You are not lacking.

You are already whole in exactly the right place where you are meant to be.

Sometimes, all it takes is a moment of stillness – a breath – to remember that.

If you’re curious about exploring breathwork in a gentle, supportive way, I offer guided sessions designed to help you reconnect with your body and inner calm.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What do you see most often on your social media feed and how does it make you feel? Do you often feel like you’re lacking something?

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Recently, the young actor Timothee Chalamet created a stir when he stated that “no one cares about ballet and opera.” Although the backlash was swift and strong, there is no doubt that classical art forms are struggling in the modern world. The audiences are aging out, ticket sales and funding are dwindling, and venerable classical institutions need to find links to popular culture to stay relevant.

I was raised in a household which had only one or two 78 rpm recordings of the opera singer Mario Lanza. Although the background soundtrack of my childhood was local and world news on the radio and television, I am grateful to my parents for giving me ballet lessons, and to some very significant early music education experiences. Along with waning ticket sales, music education funds today are on a similar, tragic trajectory.

Music Education Back “in the Day”

Back in the late 1950s and early 1960s, even in my urban public school, all children were given little metal melody flutes and a simple songbook, which were used weekly in the regular elementary classroom. By 5th grade, children were offered music lessons free of charge for the major instruments, and an opportunity to play in the school orchestra or band. I distinctly remember getting a piece of violin music by Vivaldi, entitled Violinkonzert in A Moll (Violin Concerto in A Minor). What the heck was A Moll, my 10-year-old brain wondered?

Advancing to Junior High in the School District of Philadelphia, we had music class three times every week, and we were treated to young artist performances of Julliard Conservatory students and Philadelphia Orchestra members. Still taking violin lessons, I remember playing an abbreviated version of the finale to a Rachmaninoff piano concerto in the student orchestra. I continued my music education in high school by signing up for the chorus just to earn service points, but I was thrilled to sing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at Christmas time.

The Beginning of a Classical Recording Collection

When I started college, my interest in classical music swelled. I was taking ballet classes twice each week, and I relished the euphoric feeling of the beloved ballet music composers such as Chopin, Schubert and Tchaikovsky coursing through my body as I danced. I vowed to begin creating a classical music recording collection, which I did in the era of 33 1/3 rpm long playing records. When I heard a piece I loved in ballet class, I bought a recording and it expanded my knowledge of composers exponentially. At this time, I became a regular listener of the Philadelphia classical music radio station. I applied the same collecting principles to favorite pieces I heard on the radio.

Through the years, my loyalty to classical music remained constant. Only the recording collection took different forms. Of course, there were major recording format shifts: cassette tapes, CDs, and now digital music. Just as there were Book of the Month clubs, there was a classical music club, The Musical Heritage Society, which sent monthly catalogs, and the desired recordings could be ordered by mail. Shifting formats as they arose, eventually, I amassed a beautiful collection of classical CDs.

What Is the Value of Classical Music?

Oddly enough, neurologists have found that music occupies a larger area of the brain than language. The provocative emotions, rhythms, melodies and reward centers are all located in disparate regions of the brain, unlike other brain processes which are more regional. This might explain why a response to music is more lasting than language in those with neurological challenges, such as Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, and Alzheimer’s.

My love affair with classical music illustrates the emotional depth and cathartic nature of this music. Physically, classical music has been known to lower stress, boost focus and enhance memory and concentration. To me, its chief virtue is the palpable connection to emotions, memories and the subconscious, nothing less than a transcendental experience.

Classical Music in Retirement

My retirement background soundtrack comes courtesy of two platforms: WRTI, the current classical music station in Philadelphia connected to Temple University and the Apple Classical Music App, which I play through a Bose wireless speaker. WRTI is the current iteration of the station I began listening to in my college years. Happily, it is available all over the world online.

WRTI has a delightful rotation of hosts, uniquely qualified to educate and tempt the listener to experiment with new and venerable purveyors of this art form. I’m still happily learning and exploring new genres and artists under the hosts’ guidance. This platform is a 24-hour classical (and separate jazz) stream. New recordings are “meticulously selected,” and the “time-honored composers” have a great presence.

The Apple Classical Music App

The app has helpful features such as a sleep timer and alarm clock, the ability to pause, rewind and fast forward, and is available for free on iTunes and Google Play.

Without exaggeration, this app has changed my life. Before the internet, one would have budgeting and logistical limitations related to purchasing classical CDs. Exposure to new artists and works, and finances would be the largest limitation in acquiring recordings.

The Apple Classical App has 5 million tracks, and it is available in three price tiers: the individual cost is $10.99/month, the student rate is $5.99/month for four years, and the family rate for 6 members is $16.99/month, literally less than the price for one new CD. It is not a stand-alone product, but is part of the regular Apple Music App. For one monthly fee, the subscriber has access to both immense archives of music. To get an overview, this techhive.com post and this YouTube video might be helpful.

This app was acquired from Primephonic in 2021. This company had solved the complex issue of how a listener could search the vast cannon of classical music by work, composer, genre, orchestra etc. Apple refined the process and gave it its own aesthetic and technical stamp.

Currently, the various rows of the home page offer the listener a selection of new releases, recently played selections, updated playlists (made and curated by Apple Classical), stations (single focus playlists such as piano or cinematic classical), listening guides, albums we love, and more!

The search feature allows the listener to browse by composer, work, conductor, catalog number, or instrument. All available recordings are listed with a short description and the most popular recordings highlighted. Playlists, albums, tracks, artists, recordings, works and composers are easily stored in a personal library.

Included in the app is a nine-part series, The Story of Classical, which provides the novice and experienced listener with the history and context for different eras and an accompanying selection of recordings. The Track by Track feature allows artists such as Lang Lang or Hilary Hahn to comment on each track of their popular albums.

I have a regular routine of listening to WRTI in the morning and in the evening when I make dinner. At other times, the Apple Music App accompanies me in the car, at home, and through my day. With its myriad offerings, I am constantly learning about new artists, works, and genres which would never have been available previously.

I am indebted to Apple for my burgeoning love affairs with the pianist Vikingur Olafsson, Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, minimalist Max Richter, the Danish String Quartet, and Chopin’s Irish predecessor John Field. I hope my husband isn’t jealous!

Let’s Talk:

How is music part of your everyday life? What formats work for you? Have you ever had an interest in classical music?

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Credit: Ciara Miller

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Originally posted at: Ciara Miller’s Gold Sea Shell Necklace

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Credit: Ciara Miller

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Originally posted at: Ciara Miller’s Black Oval Sunglasses

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If you’ve been thinking, “What’s next for me?”, you’re not alone. More and more people are exploring encore careers: meaningful work pursued in the second half of life that blends purpose, flexibility, and often a new sense of identity. If you’re curious but unsure where to begin, here are four common questions answered.

1. What Exactly Is an Encore Career?

An encore career is not just another job, it’s a shift. It’s work that feels more aligned with who you are now, not who you were earlier in your career. For some, that means turning a long-held interest into income. For others, it’s using their professional experience in a new way, such as consulting, mentoring, or working in a mission-driven organization. The key is that it feels purposeful and intentional.

Today, we’re seeing more women redefine what’s possible in midlife and beyond. Martha Stewart continued evolving her brand well beyond midlife, expanding into new platforms and audiences. Arianna Huffington launched Thrive Global at age 66, shifting her focus toward well-being and burnout prevention. And Reese Witherspoon transformed her career by creating new opportunities not just for herself, but for other women as well.

These are not stories about starting over, they are about building forward.

2. Do I Need to Start Over?

Absolutely not. One of the biggest misconceptions is that an encore career requires starting from scratch. In reality, your experience is your greatest asset. The goal is to translate your skills into new opportunities. Leadership, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building are highly transferable. Instead of asking, “What can I do now?” try asking, “How can I use what I already know in a different way?”

3. How Do I Figure Out What I Want to Do Next?

Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. Start by reflecting on what energizes you. What problems do you enjoy solving? What environments bring out your best? Then begin small experiments, conversations, volunteer roles, short-term projects, or classes. These steps help you test ideas without making a major commitment. Momentum builds confidence, and confidence leads to clearer direction.

4. Is It Too Late to Make a Change?

This is the question that stops many people, and the answer is no. In fact, this stage of life often brings greater self-awareness, resilience, and perspective than ever before. Employers and clients value those qualities. More importantly, you deserve work that feels engaging and meaningful. An encore career isn’t about age, it’s about alignment.

Three Questions to Ask Yourself as You Explore Your Encore Career

As you begin thinking about what’s next, give yourself permission to be curious, without pressure to have all the answers. Start here:

1. What Do I Want More of in This Next Chapter?

More flexibility? More creativity? More connection? More impact? Let this guide your direction.

2. What Strengths and Experiences Do I Want to Carry Forward?

You’ve built a lifetime of skills. Which ones do you enjoy using most, and want to continue using in a new way?

3. What Have I Always Been Curious About, But Never Pursued?

 Sometimes your next path has been quietly waiting for you. This is your opportunity to explore it.

Think about the possibilities and the places you’ll go!

Final Thought

An encore career is less about reinvention and more about reconnection, to your strengths, your interests, and what matters most to you now. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You simply need to be willing to take the first step.

As a career coach, I’ve worked with many women who begin exploring their encore career while they are still working. You don’t need to wait until retirement to get the ball rolling. In fact, starting earlier gives you a longer runway to thoughtfully build, explore, and ultimately launch the next chapter you’re dreaming about.

Let’s Chat:

Are you already moving toward your encore career, or is there something you’ve been quietly wanting to explore? I’d love to hear what’s on your mind. Taking the first step begins with acknowledging that you’re ready to move forward and that simple shift can open the door to what comes next.

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