The 100 Years Club Installment #153: The 88-Day Countdown

As of the publication date of this post, I’m exactly 88 days away from my next birthday.

I’ll be turning 70. I never thought I’d feel or look like I do at this age.

In many ways, I’m just getting started and now have the freedom and fierceness to pursue the things I’m passionate about in both work and life. After all, many of us will live to 100 and beyond. I have a lifetime ahead of me!

Why is that relevant? What does it have to do with this month’s theme of GRATITUDE?

When I turned 69 last February, I launched my personal brand website and social media.

I was finally bold (or foolish) enough to separate my work persona (theONswitch) from my “unplugged” side and to amplify my public voice.

Women are still often judged with different standards from men when they let their “freak flags fly,” so I decided that keeping my hobbies and beliefs separate from my professional life would probably be prudent.

This has been a great year for “both Nancys” (Talking about myself in the third person is a clear sign that I’m leaning into this weird narcissistic dystopia we live in.)

• Work Nancy has written some great online business content and has supported multiple clients with strategic thinking, conference planning (including wrangling 20+ high-profile speakers), white papers, and e-mail and social media marketing.
• Unplugged Nancy traveled a bunch, covering trends at conferences and producing videos (which overlaps with Work), and made lots of video, podcasts, and social media content, including my Substack about sex, life, and tech across generations.

And both Nancys (who live in one human) are grateful.

Something I’ve come to realize this year is that some people are fully aware of the others in their circle who make them better, brighter, more prosperous, and happier.

Others live in a bubble where they believe or forget that their clients, partners, and other people are just “accessories” and don’t contribute anything of value.

As I wrote last week, words of affirmation can have a HUGE impact on most relationships, whether or not they rank high in your love languages.

Every year, I remind myself of those people and things I’m thankful for. The process (“40 Days of Gratitude”) compels me to pause and reflect on how I got to this phase in my life.

Our inner circles are fundamental as we contemplate the next phase, whether it’s a career move, a change in venue or activities, or even starting or maintaining relationships.

In addition to prepping turkey and green bean casserole, now is a great season to give thanks to the people in YOUR inner circle.

Think about how you can help each other figure things out as you plan the metaphorical feast that is your life.

One of the most amusing AI images I’ve generated this month. I think AI believes that green Xanax are part of a family feast!

Because something I’ve realized over the past 69 years is that we really can’t do it all solo. And everyone needs help at times. Paying it forward is always good karma, even if you’re not the woo-woo type.

If you’d like to bring a holiday “side dish” to my wild-and-weird life evolution over the next 88 days (or beyond), please reach out. And I will gladly make myself available to anyone reading this.

——————————————————————————————————-

Some facts and perspectives on aging and why we all need each other

	Entrepreneurs over 70. I’m will not be alone!
	The benefits of collaboration
	11 things ungrateful people say
	Can gratitude be shaped? A scientific study.