24 Sep I’m done. But work in progress. – Time to pull out my live life list and check sh*t off.
Barbara Brooks, 53.11 Founder & CEO of SecondActWomen
In case you didn’t know, I’m a bit of a nerd and love lists, and one of my favorites is the ol’ Bucket List or as I like to call it, a Live Life List. Hello! Why would anyone want to call a list of exciting things to do a bucket list!
Well, that wasn’t on my vision board. Said everyone.
Let’s face it, 2020 has not been the year we thought it would be but that said, we’re alive and it’s not too late to close out the year with (you complete the sentence).
For me, I decided it was time I revisit one thing that could catapult me into closing out the year in the best way I know how – creating my Live Life Lists.
I admit I don’t take good care of myself, and 2020 has made it even more challenging to take care of me and the one and only body I have. Like most business owners, I work 70-80 hours a week at a job I love and when I have free time, it’s spent eating Dominoes, Chipotle, ramen noodles, or something homemade, but certainly not entirely healthy, and watching the news and reality TV (it’s my mind candy damnit). I lack a “Be good to your mind and body routine” filled with good eating habits, exercise, and life’s adventures. I’m tired y’all and done. I’m done living a quarter of my potential versus life at 360 degrees.
Family time in Estes Park, Colorado on Labor Day. #livinglife and loving it.
Get the picture?
Over the past few weeks, thanks to Guadalupe, life transition coach Nikki Aiello, and physicians, my eyes are opening, and I’m beginning to see 20/20. Here’s a real-life account of the morning in the life of my business partner, Guadalupe [Hirt], versus me:
Guadalupe… up at 5am every day to workout, eats a healthy breakfast and if it’s the weekend, she’s on an outdoor adventure with family or friends (SUP’ing was fun with her a few weeks back).
Me… literally, while she’s working taking care of herself, I’m on my cell checking emails, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook while having MSNBC and Good Morning America in the background. Oh, and a call with momma Brooks (that’s always good for the soul) and reading an affirmation.
I’m ready for a new photo that puts me front and center.
Time to take my own advice. Life at 360 degrees.
Like most humans, I’m a work in progress and the beauty of getting older is our desire to grow. While I’ve always been married to my career, I’m heeding the advice of others and learning how to live life in full color. I’m working to change my mindset and “eat the elephant one bite at a time” – and steal the peanuts to boot!
R&R in Estes Park Labor Day with cousins. Taking time to dip my toes in the water.
Living my list!
Every month, I’m committing to making a Live Life List of bite-sized things to do to build better life habits and routines. I’m hungry to live my life full of purpose, adventure, and freaking FUN. It’s time. My time.
If you’d like to join me in September’s pursuit for fun, here’s the link to this month’s Live Life List. Our Insider members receive this and wallpaper designs to stay motivated. Check out the club and what else they receive and trust me, there are loads of perks!
I’m on my way… My September check-offs so far… trip up to Estes Park for leaf-peeping with family (none to see yet darn it), painted my nails teal, and today, I’m posting mask-free aka, makeup-less to own my age — a few crinkles and all!
Guadalupe Hirt (46) is the co-founder and CCO of SecondActWomen. Founded to rescript the social narrative that women 40 & 50+ are past their prime, SecondActWomen is an IRL and virtual club platform that doubles as a resource hub and community support system to spur the careers, business ventures and big ideas of women in middlescence.