History agrees. Anna Mary Robertson Moses—better known as Grandma Moses—began her painting career at 78, translating rural memories into folk art that outsold Picasso in the 1950s. Diana Nyad swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida at 64, rewriting records and redefining stamina. Their stories aren’t exceptions; they’re evidence. And here’s the kicker: creativity isn’t solitary. The same Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report that tied lifelong learning to entrepreneurship also found that women over 60 in creative communities report 52% higher life satisfaction than those flying solo. “Looking at the experiences of our members—thousands of women in all parts of the country—I can see three big differences between the way women and men deal with major life transitions,” says Hastings. “Instead of stewing privately in their own pots, women instinctively reach out to each other for validation, comfort and advice. Women talk with each other, all the time. Women are far more open to being vulnerable with each other. Sharing our fears and dreams with other women helps us process our emotions quickly and get back on our feet.” Reinvention doesn’t just happen—it’s a learned skill. And the women who redefine aging aren’t fearless. They’re just done waiting. ●
A ROADMAP FOR TURNING CURIOSITY INTO ACTION
REFRAME THE NARRATIVE
START SMALL, BUT START
SHARE THE DRAFT, NOT THE MASTERPIECE
Fear of irrelevance? Redirect it.
Action breeds momentum, not the other way around.
Done is better than perfect.
Post a snippet of your work-in-progress (a poem, business idea) to your favorite Facebook group. Or (and this idea is a favorite of ours!) submit a story to us! info@waitingroompubli shing.com
Mindset Shift: Women over 60 often conflate “risk” with “recklessness.” Reframe risk as ‘strategic curiosity.’” Try This: Audit your skills. List three transferable strengths from your career or caregiving years (e.g., project management, conflict resolution). Use them as scaffolding for your next chapter.
Enroll in a single-session workshop (e.g., “Intro to Watercolor” or “SEO Basics”). Use apps like Meetup to find niche groups (Women Over 60 Hiking Collective, Late-Stage Startups). Solo Aging Tip: Example: “Design a ‘solo day’— visit a museum, take a class—to test-drive independence.”
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