health and wellness – Page 2 – Take on Life After 50

Getting Ready to End 2022 on a Positive Note, and Welcome 2023

I have to admit: I haven’t improved my procrastination situation any.

Getting back into a routine isn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be. I have become a little spoiled with not having to be anywhere in particular at any given time.

Summer is on its way out, and I have been working on getting to know my new house so I don’t have any unexpected major expenses. The recent expenses I have had have been completely planned; at least as far as my house goes.

My Jeep on the other hand: not so much. The joys of vehicle ownership, and having to rely on a dealership to make the major repairs. However, knowing some things about vehicles prevented me from being taken advantage of by a service tech. (I do believe he underestimated my knowledge just because I’m a woman.)

Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee. Thank you for your continued support.

2022 has been a year of some changes for me; with my move being the major one. I’m still not sure if it has really sunk in, and that I can do whatever I like to the house and yard. It definitely takes time and an adjustment period for it all to sink in.

One of my favourite things in my new house. Perfect for the chilly days.

As I adjust to this new chapter of my life I can’t help but feel blessed for all I have. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, and the love and support of family and friends. Plus I get to spend time with a man who makes me feel good about me. And he doesn’t mind the fact we live in our own houses. (That in itself is a big plus for me.)

As the final quarter of 2022 approaches I do have a few things I want to accomplish before the start of 2023.

Increase my Etsy Sales. My shops (NotJustAlpacaDesigns and TOLA50Printables) were put on the back burner during the move and now it’s time to work on both of them. What that means is getting back into designing both crochet patterns and printables. I’m looking forward to picking up my hook and yarn again.
Get back into posting regularly. This isn’t the only blog that has been lacking in regular updates. My All-In Gardening site has been severely neglected as well. I have a couple of new e-books on gardening available on Kindle, and the links can be found on the site. (If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read them for free.)
Finish the painting and install the flooring in the game room. Almost the entire house needs to be painted and the new flooring put in, but the game room is at the top of the list. I’m hosting Christmas this year and want it done so my nephews and other family members have a place to hang out.
Make a conscious effort to be more present in the moment. I’m terrible when it comes to just enjoying the moment. My brain is always thinking about what needs to be done next, and I find myself missing bits of conversations. It’s time to really listen to others and pay attention: and just enjoy my small circle.(I think this is the most important one of them all.)

I would like my list to be longer, but putting too much pressure on myself tends to lead to frustration when I don’t get it all done. I’m finally starting to realize the world won’t end if I take time for myself, and to spend with family and friends. Some habits are hard to break but I’m doing what I can to get myself out of the rut I created.

Something to ponder: Enjoy the time spent with loved ones, because tomorrow is never promised. Take the time for others now, while you have the chance.

What is most important to you at this stage of your life?

5 Things I’ve Learned from Side Hustling

What you’ll find in this post:

There’s no such thing as getting rich quick.
Don’t have too many baskets.
If something isn’t working, scrap it.
If something isn’t bringing you joy, scrap it.
Put yourself out there.

As the latter part of April is upon us, I can’t help but wonder where the time has gone. I guess it’s true what they say: the older you get, the faster time goes by. Can someone please slow down the clock a little?

My granddaughter will be a month old on Friday, which means it’s over a month since we got back from Mexico. Wait! What? It seems like just yesterday we were sitting in 30+ degree weather, wanting to come home, but at the same time not wanting to.

And a lot has happened in that month as well. We have to move forward, no matter what life throws at us. All I’ll say at the moment in that regard is change is coming: good change for me. But without further ado, onward to the real reason for this post.

Side hustling has been my thing for literally decades, and I have come to a few conclusions over the years. Well, to be truthful, conclusions I’ve come to since I stopped trying to do everything that came along.

There’s NO such thing as getting rich quick. I can recall one of my very first so called “money makers”. I was looking through the newspaper’s classified ads section (yes, a real newspaper – pre-internet time) and saw an ad for stuffing envelopes. Well, that didn’t seem so difficult, so I ordered the package. What I got was a stack of address labels and letters to mail out (at my expense of course). The only person getting rich was the one preying on naive people like myself.
Don’t have too many baskets. The saying goes “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, but having too many baskets at any one time isn’t good either. You start a side hustle to free up some time, then you start another. Before you know it, your side hustles and job are taking up every waking moment. It’s easy to overextend yourself without realizing it, so be wary. If you have a full time job and more than two side hustles going (especially those that require you to be present), then you’re defeating the purpose of having one in the first place.
If something isn’t working, scrap it. Maybe you’ve had a side hustle or three in the past, or maybe you’re about to embark on your very first one. Whatever the case, it has to produce results in a reasonable amount of time. If you’ve been consistent with your efforts and the monetary return isn’t there, move on. You didn’t start a side hustle to waste time and energy; you started it to improve your financial wellbeing.
If it’s not bringing you joy, scrap it. When you start a side hustle it has to be enjoyable. If it isn’t, then it just becomes another job. For example: you love to write so you start selling your services on Fiverr. After awhile you find yourself praying no one will order your gig, because you’re no longer enjoying it. It’s time to either revamp your gig, or take it down. (Fun fact: I’m both a buyer and seller on Fiverr, and have earned over $1700 on the platform. I have spent about $300, so I’m still ahead of the game.)
Put yourself out there. “If you build it, they will come.” only works in the movies. (Kevin Costner had more impact on me with that movie than I care to admit.) Just because you’ve created a wonderful blog about your hobby, or started an Etsy shop, it doesn’t mean people are going to flock to it as soon as you hit the “publish” button. YOU have to let them know it’s there, whether through paid ads, Pinterest, Facebook, word of mouth, or a combination of them all. (It’s like getting a new phone number and then wondering why no one is calling you. You have to tell the people in your life you changed it.)

Now that you’ve had an “aha” moment or two, or perhaps an “oh shit” moment, it’s time to share my upcoming change.

For those of you who have been reading my blog regularly, you know what life dealt me almost two years ago. After some careful consideration, tears, sleepless nights, and talking it over with my kids, I made the decision to move. I’m selling my place and am buying an acreage a little closer to a neighbouring town.

This is a screenshot from the Realtor listing.

It has everything I want in a home. Big windows on all four sides (all with a wonderful view); an attached double car garage (plus a detached in the back); 4-piece ensuite with a jacuzzi; game room complete with pool table, shuffleboard and wet bar; central vac; central air; fireplace; office; big kitchen; covered deck; big master bedroom; large spare bedroom; 4 (yes, no typos here) bathrooms including the ensuite; skylights; and a landscaped yard complete with trees, perennials, and what appear to be some of my favourite shrubs. The best part of it all…no stairs for these old knees.

I know the move will be bittersweet, because this was our home. The one we were supposed to grow old in together. There’ll be tears as I purge, tears as I pack, and tears as I lock the door for the last time. The land and house are staying in Ross’s family, as his brother will be the new owner. In all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For me it’s a step forward. I used to think I would live here forever, but as I said in my last post, it’s just easier to be gone sometimes. No matter what life brings his memory will be with me always, and that’s what I cherish the most. And when my time comes (hopefully I’m around to see my grandbaby have her own baby), I’ll be laid to rest beside him.

If you’ve made it this far, I thank you. I know my posts can get a bit rambly at times, but the main reason I started this blog was to share the ups and downs of being over 50. In all honesty, I do like the format of this post, and I may continue on with it. Side hustle information first, then my ramblings at the end. That way you get what you came for as a side hustler, and I get to share the other aspects of life’s trials and trbulations.

Sidetracked by the Side Hustles

I have to admit, I’ve kind of lost sight of what I intended this blog to be when I started out.

I’ve looked back on my home page, and see I have concentrated mostly on the side hustle end of it, while not paying much attention to the real reason I started it in the first place.

Granted, the side hustle part has been good because I have received so many lovely comments over the past few months. And for that I am grateful.

However, that’s not the only reason I’m here.

As the second anniversary of my husband’s passing quickly approaches (less than a month away), I am reminded time waits for no one. On this date two years ago life was good. We had plans; we had a new home; and we were looking forward to growing old together.

Fast forward to today, and I am moving forward with life. I can never say I’m moving on…just forward. I thought I could live in the home we shared forever, but without him it doesn’t feel like home.

It took me a long time to realize that, which is why I will be moving into a new home. I’m not moving to forget him; it’s more so I can continue living. His pictures and keepsake urn will go with me, and be displayed on the mantle.

A person never really knows how they will react to a situation, or how views will change. For me, it has been months of learning who I am, and growing as a person. Truth be told, until you’re in that situation you’ll never be able to say just what you will do.

The acreage I’m buying has everything I want and need. Wide open space; a garage (no more sweeping snow off my Jeep, or plugging in the block heater when it’s colder than minus 20 C); huge windows throughout; skylights; a gorgeous view; a fireplace; a game room complete with pool table, shuffleboard, and poker table; a workshop in the back; mature trees; a huge kitchen; an office with a view; and plenty of space for family gatherings.

It’s all I could ever want in a home. Did I mention the 4 bathrooms and jacuzzi in the master bath? I think I might get lost in it. My hellions (aka Mickey & Merlot) won’t know what to do with so much space, and my dog will need some adjustment time as well. It’ll be an adventure for all.

I’ve struggled with being here alone; sometimes it’s just easier to be gone. I don’t expect anyone to know how I feel, because losing a spouse is different for everyone. I will say this though: if you know someone who has lost a spouse and they decide to move forward, don’t be too hard on them. If I’ve learned anything from the past two years, it’s do what makes you happy. Life’s too short to dwell on what can’t be changed.

So when I post about something other than side hustles, it’s because I’m trying to stay true to my original vision for this site. I’m over 50, and it really isn’t all that bad. It’s a time in life when kids are grown and have lives of their own; and are starting families of their own. (Proud grandma here.)

It’s a time to be grateful for all the things that went right in a day, and learn from the things that went wrong. We’re not perfect by any means; all part of being human. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to just stop and smell the roses, and do what works for you.

I have always done for others; now it’s time to do for me. I love blogging, and I love reading the comments you leave. If I can help just one person when I post, I’m happy. I’m not going anywhere, and plan on continuing my blog for a long time.

Side hustles is how I supplement my widow’s pension, and I will continue to share what I learn and come across. I will also, however, include my opinions and knowledge about life in general.

That said, what are your thoughts on life in general? Do you take it for granted, or live each day to the fullest?