Simplifying Life after 50

[@BevThorogood]

What did you quit in your 50s? Let me know in the comments ❤

[@brendamulhall3156]

@@BevThorogood That old chestnut,The older we get,The Less of a F**k we give🤣How True.

[@AntonGully]

@@brendamulhall3156 Recently a 66 year old man from near me was sentenced after mailing himself an assault rifle and two pistols while on holiday in America. Not toys, actual working weapons. He got a suspended sentence. With that kind of leeway what can we silver-haired gangsters not get up to?

[@BevThorogood]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brendamulhall3156]

@@AntonGully 🤣🤣🤣😉👌

[@pollyanna5354]

​@@AntonGullya suspended sentence really that's scary!

[@anerley123]

I'm in my early sixties now - I find these years even more liberating. Over the last 5 years I lost my marriage, my home, and my career - all due to circumstances that either I couldn't influence or weren't really related to me. So I started all new once again (something I had done before when I started a new career in a different country with a new language twenty years ago). I decided to scale down on everything - sold my car, live a cosy minimalist life style, have a very minimalist wardrobe, just really finish paying off my little flat. I work part time in a pleasant, but undemanding job which has nothing to do with my previous career and field of expertise. I walk for hours every day, venturing out using public transport. I even shrunk myself in half during this time, something I never managed during my stressful years: I am now at a weight I cannot recall in my previous adult life. I am the most content I have ever been in my life.

[@BevThorogood]

Your story is very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing x

[@joannedibben2352]

Golly your life sounds great now well done to you🌈

[@Jj_Mtl]

Amazing! Love this!❤

[@agnosticevolutionist3567]

Your delusional

[@twish1999]

Hello! New subscriber here..... i am 66 and all the things you just mentioned are things that i've done to simplify my life too...... I am happier and less stressed now than i've ever been in my life, i feel like 'me' now, instead of being a person that was trying so hard to be me. I love my 60's.... it's my best decade yet and i'm so excited to retire soon and spend more time on things i want to do, i am only working part time now and love having time and not rushing so much. I'm excited to see what joys my 70's will bring now!

[@BevThorogood]

Hi! Thanks for being here. It’s really freeing isn’t it 😊

[@juliehughes1258]

What a positive vlog. I'm 67 years old now, very nearly 68. While watching, I jotted down a few big changes I've made over the past 15 years or so, and here they are. 1) Got out of a very bad, too-long marriage. I remember asking myself one day, 'Do I want to be a 50 year old married to a [drug addict]?' I began my DIY divorce the next day (and I kept my house, which I made every single house payment on). 2) I've also stopped watching the news and, further, I stopped my newspaper subscription, an unheard of thing in my family. I live in a big city and the newspaper is also big, so half the time I didn't even finish -- or START -- reading it every day, and it was so depressing anyway, to say nothing of the cost. 3) Funny one: I stopped taking surveys! I refuse to waste my precious time doing something that is of no benefit to me and only benefits someone else. No more surveys, ever. 4) Like you, my driving has really slowed down. Before retirement and before working from home, you would find me in the fast lane of the freeway doing 80 mph. Makes me too nervous doing that now. 5) I hate cleaning the bathroom and mopping my floors so I have a cleaner come in now. What a game changer. 6) I never liked going to the grocery store so now I get my groceries delivered. Another game changer. 6) Stopped bad eating habits and lost over 65 pounds using portion control, cutting out sugar (mostly), drinking lots of water, and walking. I am now comfortable sitting in an airplane seat! 7) I've stopped negative self-talk and putting myself down so often. When I find myself slipping, I ask myself, 'Would I speak to my friend like this?'

[@BevThorogood]

I cannot tell you how much I love everything about this comment. ❤️🩵❤️🩵

[@bobblebec12]

Quit my nhs job, decided to only look after people who generally also looked after me too. Stopped buying clothes. Only work part time in a rewarding job. I’m 53 and very happy 😊❤

[@BevThorogood]

Love this ❤️

[@Michael_Leard]

I'm only 33, but I came across your video and wanted to say, this video really hit home for me! I've been in an unrewarding career path for too long and it pays fine, but I miss out on time with my family. Hearing about the things you've let go of after turning 50 is so inspiring and makes me not want to wait. It reminds me how freeing it can be to drop what's holding us back and truly go after our dreams, which for me is starting my own channel. Thank you for sharing your journey, it's encouraging people like me to make positive changes too. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@BevThorogood]

Hey Michael! You have no idea how lovely it is to read your comment. If it helps you to realise these things sooner all the better. Why wait!!! I wish I’d got more wise in my 30s. Thank you for taking time to leave a lovely comment 🙏

[@WitchofCrowSummit]

Nod, nod, nod. 56 years old here and while the idea of becoming my own boss would be more stressful to me than the support role I have (no, thank you, I don't want a promotion with more responsibilities!), I listened and related to so many of the things you have quit which I have quit myself. Delighted to have found your channel, and thank yo for this video!

[@BevThorogood]

Hi and welcome 😊. Self employment definitely isn’t for everyone. 😃

[@TinaHBeautifulJourney]

Lovely video. The scenery is beautiful. One thing I gave up, people pleasing.

[@BevThorogood]

That’s the one I struggle with most. Work in progress Tina 😊

[@daftirishmarej1827]

I've started looking after me. Stopped watching the news too. Why would you? After Covid, I stopped wearing makeup. I'm allergic to most of it anyway. And stopped dyeing my hair. It's so liberating! I agree with you so much.

[@BevThorogood]

That’s fab. I haven’t totally given up on makeup but definitely wearing less these days. 🩵

[@daftirishmarej1827]

@@BevThorogood being in nature always helps too

[@Purplelemon5033]

Love this I’m 40 and have 1. Gone part time. 2. Cut costs cook from scratch, use flasks of coffee etc. 3. Been on a news diet. 4. Spend time in nature every day. 5. Have time for lots of hobbies and spending lots of time with my son and husband. 6. Do lots of free online courses and KZbin classes to help with personal development and spiritual growth.7Joined lots of groups that are into things I’m interested in. 8. Joined my local spa Literally loving life I don’t get involved in work politics or clicky groups, I don’t do extra work for free, I don’t donate to the endless work baby showers, leaving doos, sponsorships for marathons etc might sound mean but it was costing me a fortune. I don’t get guilt tripped into constantly swapping shifts doing extras. It’s so freeing

[@BevThorogood]

Yes!!! I cannot tell you how much I love this comment ❤️❤️👏👏

[@Purplelemon5033]

@@BevThorogoodthanks It’s an awakening I have relatives and friends that spend time stressing over spending probably years in total if you add it up dusting ornaments that they’ve grown the sick of the site of ,ironing bed linen,polishing brasses when they have a gas fire,people pleasing folks that will never be pleased. If you’re not enjoying those things don’t do them,declutter,let go of the stuff and people who drag you down. Put energy and time into people and activities that does fulfill you and has purpose life is for living

[@BevThorogood]

@Purplelemon5033 💯. Life is way too short to iron socks ❤️

[@lisaf7909]

I'm 54 and have just given up work due to my health both physical and mental. Everything your saying resonated with me

[@BevThorogood]

That’s good to hear that you resonated with it. I hope giving up your job gives you space for your health to get well x

[@lisaf7909]

@@BevThorogood taking it one day at a time. I'm going through a process of who am I, what do I want, what do I need, how do I want to look, what new skills do u want to learn. Who and what is important to me. It's like a full on midlife assessment.

[@BevThorogood]

@@lisaf7909 I totally relate to that. I call it reaching our Turning Point ☺️

[@leahaf808]

100% it’s great to be the person who asks the “stupid” question, because I guarantee most of the time you aren’t the only one thinking it. Not only will other people be relieved, but sometime it opens up a new area of discussion/train of thought

[@BevThorogood]

That’s certainly been my experience too.

[@marthajones586]

You look absolutely Beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your life with us. Love the information and encouragement and inspiration. Blessings to you.😊

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you Marcia xx

[@Jane_and_Meg]

Hi Bev, I had a health scare and took early retirement when I was 56! I got fed up with having to conform, being put upon when others were slacking and the office politics and called it a day! I agree with you on so many things! I stopped colouring my hair years ago - so got fed up sitting in the bathroom waiting for the colour to develop every 6-8 weeks and I stopped wearing make-up! I don't care what other people think like you I'm past all that now! 🙂👍🏻

[@BevThorogood]

Good on you 😃❤️

[@DP-ez1kt]

I worked until 66. Really happy to be retired at 74.

[@BevThorogood]

I hit your living It to the full ❤️☺️

[@hbur8191]

It’s really enjoyable hearing you be so reflective. I’m 25 and feel I relate to a lot of your quits, even down to looking younger believe it or not!

[@BevThorogood]

Well I think that’s great because I really wish I’d been more reflective and aware in my 20s. You’ll be streets ahead of where I was 😊. Thank you for commenting 🙏

[@shazzied5922]

Just found you via this vlog and have now subscribed. I am turning 55 VERY soon and I am trying to embrace it but for some reason I am having a hard time with it but I know once the day has passed I will march on! I have already given up several of the things you talked about in this video - I don’t listen to the news, I am no longer always a people pleaser, I don’t wear make up, I don’t enjoy large gatherings or going out and avoid it wherever possible and a few of the other things you mentioned. I think we just have to do what makes us happy in the moment. Thankyou for sharing and I look forward to seeing more of your vlogs as you share them. 😀

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you for subscribing. I think what you’re feeling is very normal. You’re right we have to do what makes us happy x

[@lisaupnorth7696]

Wow! I'm 47 and I've done almost all of your points. I can resonate with a lot of what you're saying here. We'd get along. Thank you. ❤

[@jeanphilpot350]

I love this video! I’m 70 now and have quit a lot of things. I survived breast cancer, my beautiful red hair fell out and I never looked back. My hair grew back a beautiful salt and pepper and it’s just great! My eyelashes never grew back and I quit trying to buy mascara that would help and I just don’t wear makeup. Sunscreen, blush and lipstick is it for me! So freeing! My husband had a stroke 8 years ago and now has vascular dementia. It all just changes your outlook on what you think you” have to do or have”. I have a cleaner come in once a month. It’s great and am trying to justify having it bi monthly. I always feel guilty. Thank you for your thoughts💕

[@BevThorogood]

It definitely gives you a different perspective ❤️

[@Joan-COYI]

I’m 65. I’ve never wanted to wear make up or dye my hair, I’ve always worn flat comfortable shoes, I’ve never been to a beautician or painted my nails or grown them long. Imagine the money I’ve saved. I don’t spend much money on clothes, I have one useful handbag and no more. I have five pairs of shoes. I don’t have many belongings and I don’t like buying “stuff”. All this makes me happy as I can be me. I enjoyed your video, what a great topic. This is the first time I’ve seen you. You’ve given me a great idea I’m going to try hello fresh. I get sick of eating the same old meals. I think people pleasing is a problem for a lot of us. I’m severely disabled and I’ve only recently started to say no more often, I get so tired. There’s a line between helping people and being exhausted and resentful. Very good advice from you. I wish I’d learnt these lessons in my 20’s. We can help people without wearing ourselves out. I look forward to seeing more of your channel. BTW I buy all my clothes from eBay and resell them too so I get a change and don’t spend much at all.

[@BevThorogood]

I too wish I’d learned a lot of these things many years ago. The material stuff is such a waste. Thank you for watching and leaving your lovely comment x

[@lejci38]

Love your wonderful white, silver hair...I hope mine will be similar, I'm still salt and pepper stage.

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you. I love it more than i expected ❤

[@LeannaDalton]

Hi Bev, new subscriber here. I was so excited to turn 50 for all the wonderful reasons you mentioned. I thought ok.. I've made it.. I can let all the BS go.. leave it all behind, I'm wise now.. LOL. In November I will be 60.. I'm even more excited .. I've learned a lot in the last 10 years.. will really be making huge life changes now. I really enjoyed this video.. thanks!

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you Leanna. I’m 60 in 14 months and I’m really looking forward to it too. I bet we never thought we’d say that when we were in our 30s 😊

[@LeannaDalton]

@@BevThorogood I cried when I turned 30.. I thought that was old.. my life was over.. 30's weren't too bad. My 40's were horrible but I wasn't upset to turn 40. But I was so glad they were over.. now I'm looking forward to all the years I have left!!

[@caramoonlynn]

I'm 47. This is good research. Great video. I subscribed. I'm Cara, mom of four, married to a farmer in Idaho, USA. Nice to meet you.

[@BevThorogood]

Hi Cara! Welcome to the channel 😊

[@rinakaur7245]

Resonating with a lot of what you said.

[@miniscenesgb]

Great video Bev. As usual I can identify with a lot of that. My biggest give ups are makeup every day, and worrying so much what other people think

[@BevThorogood]

That second one really is liberating isn’t it Tracey. ❤️

[@miniscenesgb]

@@BevThorogood it is. I've done most of the same as you to be honest. I've found an alternative to trying to fit in - I go places where it fits in with me lol. Oh haha toilets, me neither

[@brendamulhall3156]

I get it 100%👌especially trying to fit in,going out when i,d prefer to be snuggled up at home cosy,Also Ditched the heels a long time ago😉Next on my list is a Tough one for me🤔grow out the Hair dye,seems scary but something i want to do.Thank you for the vlog🙂

[@BevThorogood]

It’s been one of my best decisions.

[@daftirishmarej1827]

If you have long hair, get a new haircut. That's what I did! Firstly I got a funky silver hair dye and put it on like a helmet so it looked like highlights (for me to get used to it!) then the haircut. You'll probably find beautiful natural highlights... and a lot of your friends will be jealous

[@giatasha2181]

Lovely video.. I am approaching 50 in the next couple of years and this gives me great faith it will be a great era!

[@BevThorogood]

It’s definitely been the best so far for me. It’s all about attitude too I think so you’ll have a great time 😊

[@marciajones7099]

Awww beautiful Bev. Thanks so much for this. A great watch and like you, I can resonate on many levels. Looking forward to having you at my session in a few weeks. You are truly amazing. Keep shining Sis 💙💙🔥🔥👏🏾👏🏾

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you Marcia. I’m really looking forward to it too 🩵❤️🩵

[@Goonerette75]

I'm 49, 50 in June 2025, and I completely resonate with a lot of this list, particularly the feeling obliged to say yes to things that deserve saying no to and following fashion. Wearing high heels has never been my thing. You have a new subscriber.

[@BevThorogood]

Welcome and thank you🙏

[@RobinsonKris]

2:45 in and I'm LOVING this format for you. A beautiful walk, the occasional outward glance of nature, and the content! I'm SO with you on the big nights out and watching news. OK, I'm off to watch the rest.

[@BevThorogood]

I have to say I do enjoy making the walk and talk videos. Thank you for the lovely feedback Kris. X

[@TeacherKellyTag]

@@BevThorogoodI love this style too. I’m planning to get a selfie stick so I can start doing them too.

[@BevThorogood]

@@TeacherKellyTagThank you Kelly. This is the stick I bought and I love it for my phone. (This isn’t an affiliate link). www.amazon.co.uk/ATUMTEK-Extendable-Bluetooth-Recording-Streaming/dp/B08HRL53NM

[@jomo5242]

The not driving so fast is a real ‘yes’ moment for me! I was always a drive fast kinda gal and I loved it. But now, at 61, I like driving moderately! And I gave up contact lenses too! Not wearing make up, if I don’t want to happened recently, but what a joy! Great vid. Thank you 😊

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you 😄❤️🙏

[@zedb1187]

Im only 3 things in & im already nodding along like a broken bobble head 😂😂 im also just into late diagnosis adhd ( missed diagnosed with bi polar for 20 yrs) Also struggling still with menopause ( im 54) so thanks for posting something so relatable 😁🙏🏼😁

[@BevThorogood]

Ah glad you found you related. 😊

[@fitnessoverfifty-suncoastfit]

Great topic! I'm working on letting go of feeling obliged to do for others. You put it really well, how we have been looking after other people for years. It can be tricky when it comes to family, and is a work in progress. Thanks Bev :)

[@BevThorogood]

It is really hard with family and especially with elderly family. I guess we still have to have our humanity but we also have to think of ourselves too.

[@fitnessoverfifty-suncoastfit]

@@BevThorogood Exactly - it is a balance. Good to reflect on :)

[@trishagoodwin4069]

I was 70 this year, and to be honest, my big stock taking was in my late thirties. My thirties was a terribly painful decade of operations, trying to concieve (an illness the year after we married rendered me infertile), IVF and three miscarriages, one at 8 months, so I had to go through labour too and a funeral. I could not adopt, as I had suffered depression through those years, how ironic was that too?! The menopause started at 39, so that was that. I had to either jump in nearest lake or start living, so I started a degree course part time, then went onto 3 post grad courses at art college and worked as a designer after that, as well as teaching part time at art college. I am now retired and still making art. Oh, and I nearly lost my eyesight during my late forties, so had 2 ops and now have 20/20 vision without any glasses (very thick ones all my life before that). I would not dream of going grey, always wear make up, always interested in fashion, love going out, for the night, for lunch, for anything! I have never worn high heels, cannot walk in them, I wear tasty flat shoes, always feminine, or trendy trainers. I always felt a lot older when young, as had so many things to battle with, even before bad health, bad home life, poverty, lack of education and everything got better as I got older, although it was hard work at times.

[@BevThorogood]

Your story is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@heyitsame]

Such a wonderful video. I’m 26 and totally feel you on some of these points too! You are a gorgeous person 🫶

[@BevThorogood]

That’s a beautiful comment. Thank you so much ☺️ 🙏

[@marias8007]

Thank you this is a beautiful message

[@BevThorogood]

Thank you. You’re welcome ☺️ 🙏

[@TeacherKellyTag]

I can relate to all of these and most are things I’ve given up too. I still worry about looking younger but I would like to change this as the older I get the more effort it takes. I do watch the news a lot though and that I don’t want to change. I like being informed. We have a big election here in American in less than 2 months.

[@BevThorogood]

The news thing is strange. I like to be informed but I found myself really worrying about stuff I couldn’t control. Strangely your election is one thing in the news I have been watching!

[@TeacherKellyTag]

@@BevThorogood I understand that

[@bernadettecullinan6841]

Thank you .❤

[@SimplyKatieWalks]

Such a relevant video to me. I retired last march at 56. I started DOING! Walking, enjoy my family (4 grandkids) My husband and i took a trip last april. Im so glad we did, he may not be able to travel again. The 50's are my favorite decade as well. I feel so young! 🎉

[@BevThorogood]

Love this. It’s nice to have more time to spend with family x

[@nadia11119]

I’m 53. I done all these things in my 20’s! And the women of my age then would look down on me but guess what? You’re all doing it now! 😆

[@BevThorogood]

Wish I’d had the courage in my 20s ☺️

[@nadia11119]

@@BevThorogood it’s good you’re talking about it. It means mums and grandmothers can talk to their daughters and granddaughters and empower them. xx

[@tanzianne3820]

You look great and I think that you are so right in every thing that you say

[@BevThorogood]

🙏☺️

[@tanzianne3820]

Get a camper van wish that I leaned to drive

[@KlirrenDieFahnen]

Some pretty daunting decisions (work) and some pretty obvious ones. The high heels for instance. Never understood why women keep torturing themselves with those.

[@BevThorogood]

Haha it took me way too long to realise that 😬🤣

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

Drinking, dating, tolerating BS, British media , other than KZbin social media.

[@BevThorogood]

Sounds good 👍

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

Just smoking and overeating to go 😆

[@teribunker5223]

My 50s were my happiest & healthiest years! After 65, not so .

[@BevThorogood]

Sorry to hear that. That’s a great reminder for us to start living life right now xxx

[@josefinajaime4550]

Been reborn at 74

[@bichonbuffo]

OMG so glad you dumped all that trash in your life and have entered the real world, well done you, you go girl, reach the stars.

[@francinejones2524]

I will never “embrace the grey”. I won’t ever. I don’t ever want to resort to that. If it’s the only thing you I end up treating myself with getting my hair done, then that’s what I’ll do.

[@BevThorogood]

I think it’s all about doing whatever feels completely right for you 😊

[@jofrances3296]

I agree with you, I love having my hair done it’s relaxes me so much makes me feel great.

[@shirleymclean5895]

Smashing

[@marylynch2510]

❤

[@emmamarson2105]

Agrée. Am older. Also quit handbags. Cargo trousers for wallet phone and tissues. Or men’s jacket with inside pocketsQuit strapping myself up in a bra. After a certain age old women become invisible. Just please myself now - it is bliss. We women bother too much. Study how relaxed and comfortable men are, even when young. I wasted years bothering !

[@BevThorogood]

Oh I’d love to give up bras. I don’t use a purse (wallet??) I just have all my cards etc phone. I love that you please yourself now. Brilliant 🤩

[@ginamaxwell1822]

Same re job

[@williamf.9615]

So, next you quit sugar, carbohydrates and seed oils? Right? Now that would bring change, for the better. Checkout Dr Ken Berry or Dr. Chaffee.

[@teribunker5223]

Dr Eric Berg too

[@daftirishmarej1827]

... If she wants to 😊😊😊 🫶

[@ShellyMcDonnell123]

.I quit drinking alcohol, dating,

[@BevThorogood]

Working on the alcohol 😬😃

[@juliehughes1258]

Good for you. I understand how difficult quitting smoking, drinking, drugging, gambling, etc. really is. Proud of you.

[@BevThorogood]

🙏

[@AntonGully]

Hey! We must be the same vintage. I'm just on the Gen X side of the dividing line of being a boomer. Retired at 49, quit going out in my late 30s, haven't watched the news for decades, but I still follow certain topics, in my 50s I started wearing proper walking boots instead of tramping about in paddock boots on dog walks, never cared what anyone thought about me - still don't, the older I get the more I realise the world will actually accommodate me so the punk attitude I had in the 70s has become a wilful blinkered march for what I want, in my twenties I went grey and spent so much time dying my hair (which was down my back at this stage) - early thirties I discovered clippers and I've been shorn ever since, I wander out of the house with my dog looking like I dressed from whatever I could scavenge from an Amazon Returns parcel, NFG, toilets need cleaned?, I had Hello Fresh but I enjoy cooking, the dog eats what he's given or can steal, Hello Fresh was good but the ingredients were miserable; I will pay twice as much for better ingredients and let YT feed me recipes, last week I ate battered sausages with meals for three days but they were GOOD battered sausages, I AM still a people pleaser but the only people is me, I have a lot of old clothes that I should throw away, I wear them. Two peas in a pod! What have I given up ion my 50s? Nothing. I gave a lot of it up in my 20s or 30s. I have some bad habits I SHOULD give up, mainly food and alcohol related, but I've made it to almost 60, it'd be a shame to rock the boat.

[@BevThorogood]

OMG this is a bloody brilliant comment!!! You’ve made my night 🙏🥂🙌