 Does anyone read fashion magazines anymore? Back in the day, I loved when the latest issue of Vogue or Bazaar was crammed into my mailbox ~ a tiny NYC mailbox that I opened with a little key. And there was always an issue dedicated to aging stylishly. . . and slowly. February at Wellness Feast was loosely themed around love. Tomorrow is March, and I’ve decided to make it about the thing that’s been on my mind: aging well. I’m closing in on 53, and as a cancer survivor, I’ve learned not to get too hung up on aging ~ it is in fact a fabulous privilege. But I won’t lie, I’m not always thrilled about it. My body doesn’t always do what I tell it to anymore ~ running is totally out of the question, for example. My kids are growing up so fast, and I find myself longing to hear Sesame Street or Max & Ruby in the background as little feet and voices fill the house. And as Dolly so brilliantly stated in Steel Magnolias, “Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it's marchin' across your face.” But I also feel more relaxed, a bit more capable, somewhat more forgiving of myself and others, and I laugh more. So I hope you’ll join me this month in exploring and celebrating all stages and ages of this wonderful life. Let’s step fully into this moment and fearlessly move forward with love, intention and curiosity. If you're not on the Facebook or Instagram pages yet, head on over there ~ it's a great way to keep in touch more often and share how YOU're leaning into your perfect age. Be well!  I received the best compliment the other day from a client. She said, "This is exactly what I needed. Someone who has been through the kinds of things I'm dealing with. You've shown me how to stop being scared." I had tears in my eyes. Listen, every single person you know is going through stuff. Even the ones with the perfect Facebook pages. Life brings us loss, trauma, uninvited change, illness, broken hearts. But we can decide what to do with those experiences . . . because life also brings us second chances, unexplainable miracles, tiny moments of beauty, redemption. I look back at the last 10 years (and especially the last SIX, since my cancer diagnosis), and I feel awestruck. The things I've risen from, the things YOU've risen from. It's miraculous. Don't stop, keep rising!
(And by the way, those bathing suit pics up there? Yes, you can bet I take pretty good care of myself, eat tons of veggies, work out. But one of the many perks of beating breast cancer (including, you know, being ALIVE): new boobs, filled in with fat from my thighs. I'm all about transparency: no, I was not born this way. And if you find yourself in the scary but manageable position of needing breast reconstruction, I know a guy . . . and he's the best. I'm always happy to chat with anyone who's exploring their options. There are LOTS of mixed emotions involved, and there are LOTS of options.) XOXO ~ Nicole |
Photo: Lynn Cates
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