Diane Britt-Smith

Second chapters don’t usually begin when life feels neat, comfortable, or fully figured out.

Most of the time, they begin when something agitates us.

A disappointment.
A diagnosis.
A loss.
A feeling we can’t ignore anymore.

Kind of like a washing machine. Nothing moves without the agitation.

And as uncomfortable as it feels, sometimes that shaking is exactly what pushes us out of autopilot and into growth.

That’s been true for me.

This second chapter of mine didn’t come from staying comfortable. It came from movement. From stretching. From walking straight through the messy parts instead of turning around.

Maybe the discomfort isn’t stopping you.
Maybe it’s moving you.

I’ve never lied about my age.
Never whispered it.
Never shaved years off of it to make other people comfortable.

In less than a month, I turn 64.
And honestly? I’m grateful.

Because aging is better than the alternative.

One of the reasons I say my age out loud on this platform is because I want women to SEE what’s possible.

To know that getting older doesn’t mean disappearing.
You can still be vibrant. Sexy. Relevant. Curious. Powerful. Vivacious.
Gray hair and laugh lines don’t cancel that out.

And the more of us who say our age proudly, the more we challenge this idea that aging is something women should hide.

Now… having said all that…

There IS one place I usually tell women to be careful about sharing their age:
The workplace.

Because age discrimination is still very real.
Especially for women.
Especially after 50.

I believe we’ll eventually turn the corner on that.
But we’re not there yet.

So this isn’t about shame.
It’s about strategy.

Say your age with pride.
Protect your opportunities with wisdom.

Both things can be true.

The older I get, the more I realize that my peace of mind comes from being prepared.

And if 65 is on your horizon, that includes understanding Medicare.

Don’t guess your way through it. Go to Medicare.gov — it’s the official source to help you get started. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Nobody talks about this part of getting older…

Caring less about the noise. Living more on your terms.

Finally putting yourself first. But here’s one thing worth paying attention to:

Turning 65 comes faster than you think—and Medicare isn’t something to wait until the last minute to figure out.

Learn when, how, and where to sign up. Explore your coverage options.
Some people are enrolled automatically, others need to take action—it all depends on whether you’re already receiving Social Security before 65.
Start with the basics at Medicare.gov, the official source for all things Medicare.