How I Learned To Live Alone & Find Happiness - My Life At 67

Downsizing for a happier new life. What is the 30% rule? I share my joy & sorrow of learning to live alone. A frank talk about living single, downsizing, holidays alone, and a special Desi birthday!!!
I take you through my week...a fabulous date, Desi's 9th birthday, shopping with my friends, chatting with neighbors, and showing you my lovely neighbor who has 2 dogs, Winnie and Teddy.
I talk a lot about living on our own...and there are so many things nobody ever tells us.
How about structure?
How about what to take? What are the 6 words we need to reconcile? Why decorate for the holidays if it's just ourselves? What happens if we answer nobody?

I also talked to you about a woman I knew named Dani...and her words to a rude man at a party will stay with me for the rest of my life.

We are connected...we live in the "now"...and we are, free...
I hope this video helps those of you who are going through a new living arrangement.
Let us know how you feel about any change you may have had in your living arrangement over the years. Divorce or losing a spouse or partner is a great sorrow...it takes time, but we survive and we can thrive...but happiness is never free. I love you all and hope your journey is a joyous one, no matter the path before you.

Love Always, Susan & Desi

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. - Maya Angelou

" I'm not dying today...
I'm having a damn good time" - Miss Dani Marie

This song is before my time but my Mom used to sing it all the time...I thought it was a touch of nostalgia from Eydie Gorme :) that fit with tonight's theme...!

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THIS VIDEO IS NOT SPONSORED.
Things You See In The Video

8. OCCI CHIARI Oversized Reader Sunglasses - A Must Have & Great Gift!

#Over60Lifestyle #survivingdivorce #losingaspouse
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My last record can be viewed here and listened to in its entirety:
“ Mr. Crazy & Other Tales”
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0:00 Introduction
0:10 Desi's Birthday Party
0:17 My week of living and walking in the woods
2:25 Let's Talk About My date and the upcoming content
3:44 Downsizing
6:53 Desi ditches bow tie because it's his bday
7:30 Fear of moving 30% Rule
8:55 Will I be happy ever again?
17:18 Something she said changed my life - Dani
22:00 Holding Desi as we say good-bye for now

#Over60Lifestyle #survivingdivorce #losingaspouse

[caroline]

I have just lost my husband 4 weeks ago. I have to sell up and downsize. I feel lonely and I don’t know where to even begin with this new life at almost 57 😢

[lesam.colvin]

Living alone does bring so many happiness!
I turned 65 in July and I am Not willing to put up with
I'm done with that nonsense....giving people chances to change, improve themselves, Narcissistic family members, employers who commit Wage theft and work you till you cannot
I love Peace.

[amygoldman]

I’m 64 and when my husband and I got divorced a yr ago, I really got into getting rid of stuff and starting over. So when I got my apartment, I decorated it the way I wanted it!! That contributed to my feeling so free. This took a while to truly feel this way. I was mourning my relationship (still am). My ex and i are still great friends. Now I’m going to Costa Rica for spanish immersion by myself, and although feeling scared, I’m so proud of myself for doing it anyway.

[elizabethk]

Im 76, divorced since 40, and have no desire to partner up.

[Mary-zyfs]

For the first time in my entire life I live alone, a widow at 64. I spent my whole life helping and giving comfort to my family members with no regrets. Yet, I have found that living alone allows me to focus on my own comfort and happiness. Living alone doesn't necessarily mean your lonely it could also feel like freedom to be just yourself. Finding peace with yourself. God Bless🙌.

[cindycato]

Having a dog makes everything better. You are never alone. They give you love unconditionally. ❤️

[kathyphifer]

My beautiful friend was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer 22 years ago and was given 6 months to live. She’s still here. She’s buried her mother and her husband and refuses anyone to steal her joy!
Happy birthday dear Desi!🎈🍰

[lindamcgill]

Wow...can't believe this came up today of all days. I'm 75, newly divorced (yes, it happens to any age!) Every word is truthful and relevant and touched my heart and helped me get back on my emotional feet!! Thank you!

[margarethassler]

I’m 75 and just placed my husband in an Assisted Living Facility. Although together 49 yrs, we should have been divorced 20 yrs ago. Due to 911 and he being in the building and surviving, I stuck it out no matter how miserable I was. Now, it’s like “what now”. Then I saw this video. Thank you.

[kaitlinmeadows]

New Woman on a New Road! I am a widow who lost a wonderful partner, moved from a beloved home, down-sized, changed communities entirely, and started over two years ago…I am 76 now and I believe I have finally found my way, am so cozy in my little nest, and more content and full of gratitude than I have ever been. Being kind to myself, self-respectful, resourceful, and playful has made all the difference. Love being on this journey with you and this wonderful circle of women!

[anishadewkinunan]

Wow I discovered your channel today, you are absolutely amazing. I am 62 years old and I live alone, my husband passed away 4 years ago. I have 1 daughter, she lives 600 km away. I try and keep busy and make myself happy. I realized no one is going to bother about you, you need to be strong and positive. Be able to make yourself happy, keep yourself looking good. Do it all for yourself. I miss my husband very much, but know that I need to complete this journey of my life. We just need to enjoy our time on earth. Sending you love and light from South Africa ❤️❤️🙏🙏

[cindyrolle]

Divorced 5 years now. 69 years old. It took 2 years to feel free and happy. I could smile and laugh again. I purchased a 1600sf house and slowly made it home. Have just what I need and feel the comfort and warmth of knowing I would survive. I feel absolutely blessed!

[CallieCatCuddles]

My abusive husband caused me to be homeless for much of the last two decades, but through a series of extreme difficulties I finally have enough money to buy an RV to live in as opposed to paying rent to someone else. Starting over in one's 70s is definitely different than it was half a century ago!

I also withdrew and was isolated for a long time, but I was not near family or friends so I had no support system to help me out. It got to a point when I was battling depression, PTSD, and chronic fatigue that I was just trying to stay alive so that I COULD start over again. I am going to pick up my RV as soon as my ride gets here.

I had cataracts, had surgery, but now I have double vision so I'm still dependent on others to survive. BUT I'm picking up my new HOME in an hour or so. I won't be able to do much of anything to decorate my new place and it's no way near as nice as the homes I lived in with my husband, but there's not going to be any abuse there so, yes, there IS going to be freedom in my second hand accommodations. And I'm starting to become optimistic about the future again. 😊

Because of where I am and have been over the years, I stopped and listened to your video and it spoke to me. It touched my soul and gave me encouragement. Thank you for that, it helped me so much.

[hilaryelworthy]

Happy birthday Desi.
There’s no where more lonely than living in a full and busy home where you are invisible

[soammyhurst]

Your video inspired me immensely. I am 54 years old teacher who lost her job and although I am surrounded by loving people…I feel useless and lonesome. No more lesson plans to write, no more drawing from kids saying I Love you Ms. Sammy! No more are the sounds and giggles of 20 preschoolers walking around the school. I spend my days lamenting my situation… your video hit me right in the face! I was not going to decorate for Christmas..what’s the point! I have told myself over and over again. Tomorrow morning I will get up and find my Christmas treasures and decorate like I haven’t decorated in my life! Thank for your words.

[theecatalyst]

I am so happy your video popped up on my feed. I am a new empty nester at 48. I moved away to a new town where I know no one and I too lost my husband to heart failure. Three weeks in I began to feel I wasn’t loved and lonely. Until I saw your video. Thank you so much for creating a new narrative for my new life. Your video changed my life.

[Esther-]

The trouble with a large and spacious home was because I was with a terrible partner. Having my own apartment after my divorce was a difficult transition, just because I was in a codependent and enabling relationship with an addict. It was my decision to divorce him. Even so, it was an adjustment. Happily, I had a great therapist who was very helpful. It took me a couple of years to adjust, but when I did, I decided to take ballroom dance lessons. Dancing was something I waited my entire life to do. It was a game-changer. I met many new people, and made new friends. I never looked back at that point. Life improved dramatically. I could do what I wanted. Living alone became a pleasure. I felt free to be myself. Finally!💗

[deborahmoreland]

At 70 yrs old never lived alone married 50yrs and widowed a year ago.I just got my own apt bought all new things.I and starting a new chapter, took me a year to figure out what I was going to do.I gave my furniture to my Kids and grandkids.I work 4 hrs daily, walk each and everyday, self love and comfort is wonderful ❤✌✌🙏🙏I talk to my hubby daily but I dont.dwell on grief, I live!

[sharonstoots]

Happy Birthday Desi. I lost my fiance 9 yrs ago . I cried for 3years. I thought I was going to die myself. I lost everything and I had no place to go. My ex- mother in-law let me live in her basement until I could find an apartment. I am so grateful to her. So after about 2yrs I finally got an apartment. I had no furniture just a bed on the floor. It was not long until our dear beloved Savior have everything I had lost and then some. I give all Glory To God. He has been so good to me. Oh. And my the way my little dog smokey, which my sweet Tim bought for me on mother's day, the same year he passed had be so wonderful to me. I just love him.

[cindyfreihofer]

Wow, I really needed to hear this. I am 72 and have been divorced for 26 years. I worry constantly that I will run out of my retirement money. I downsized two years ago to a two bedroom apartment, so I really related to this video. Like you, Susan, I have made my apartment so inviting and cozy. It's actually decorated better than my actual townhouse that I owned. I do have good health, so I am not dying today!