the sunday brief | 60th birthday edition

it’s here, it’s finally here, my 60th birthday! in many ways i’ve been prepping for this day since january when i decided a fitness journey was in order. if you’ve reached the ripe old age of 50 let alone 60 you know that aging isn’t for sissies. there are all sorts of things that can go wrong (and do) that are completely out of our control. but there are so many choices that are ours to make. a good workout routine and proper nutrition are gifts i decided to give myself this year. if you’re interested in reading about my fitness journey, take a peek at this post. not only do i look better physically but emotionally i’ve become a heck of a lot stronger too. there’s something about a tough workout that teaches you to reach deep inside and master your body and soul.

this past year leading up to my birthday i’ve taken some time to reflect on entering my third act of life. did you know your 60th birthday ushers in the last three decades of your life? hence the third act – that is if you’re lucky to live until age 90. our first act commences at birth to age 30 these are the years where we figure out who we are and the world around us. the second act begins at 31 and ends when we turn 60. this is a time of rising conflicts and honing new skills and a higher sense of awareness of what we’re truly capable of. then there’s the third act which i’ve just stepped smack dab into. and i’ve thought about how i want to use this time. how i can make a difference with the last years of my life. of course, we live in a youth-driven culture where society has deemed us old, and there’s an inordinate amount of emphasis on how we look, especially women, and we’re told to eternally chase the fountain of youth. some of us go to great lengths to alter our appearance in order to look like we’re 40 when in reality we’re much, much older. but i decided long ago that even though society can try to put me in a box based on my age, i only have one life to live. and i need to make it count. because guess what? my spirit never ages. in fact, it gets stronger. 

here are a few things i’ve discovered at the age of 60:  i no longer have to prove anything to anyone. and i don’t carry grudges anymore. i place value on wisdom and authenticity. and i try to live mindfully. my body may be deteriorating even though i’m giving it my best shot to keep it healthy. but my brain (thankfully) isn’t. yes, i may have a few more wrinkles than i did at age 40 or even 50 but my attitude has gotten better. it’s great to let go and live purposefully, to be present in the moment. not worried about the past or what could go wrong in the future.

i’ve also learned my attitude is everything. because anything can be taken from us at any moment, including our health and wealth. but not our freedom to choose how we respond. so i say yes to living life with passion. and making this one little life count.

recently, i let my Instagram readers ask any question they wanted. here’s what they came up with.

how tall are you? closer to 5’8″ than 5’7″.

what size do you wear? a size 8 in most brands.

we’re you a professional model? no.

favorite perfume? chance by chanel.

do i spend more on quality clothing now than i used to? no. i’ve always thought investing in certain luxury pieces was always money well spent. even though the bulk of my wardrobe is made up with mid-priced brands.

do i workout? yes! i try to fit in 5 workouts per week.

do i use a retinoid or have i considered using one? i have used retin a in the past and thought it does wonders. 

how did i meet mr. style? at work. he used to be my boss.

will i grow my hair out again?  don’t get me wrong; i love your short and sassy style. i never say never.

what is my background in fashion? you have such a flare. i don’t have a formal background in fashion just a love of style and putting my best foot forward every day.

why did you choose to live in Athens, GA? mr. style loves small cities, and i love big. but a university town offers an eclectic and diverse environment so if we decided to live in a small city it had to be a university town. plus, Athens is in a perfect geographic spot as we can drive to the beach or the mountains or a big city any time we like.

are you working out at home or in a gym? i have a home gym and recently purchased a Peloton bike where i can take a spin class on demand. love it!

all right, gang, i guess it’s time to get the third act underway! thanks so much for stopping by.

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.

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