By Tilly Smith Dix A dear friend recently commented kindly on my motto of awakening grateful (most) mornings. I pondered this and realised how different we think as we age. Yes, ageing is a privilege and if we do so in good health, life is a charm. However, seeing the signs of ageing in ourselves and coming to grips with the many things we did with such ease, such as running in stilettos without breaking a sweat or a hip, could now easily send us into a deep depression. Gulp… We’ve all gone through ups and downs in life and some, I’d say, encounter more obstacles than others. If we get deep an ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix Well, suffice to say I’m so over movies depicting single men and women over sixty being desperate for love, or, to put it not so delicately, panting for pleasure, before the final bell tolls. I recently saw a movie on Netflix starring Blythe Danner and Sam Elliot, two of my favourite stars of a certain age, I’ll See You In My Dreams. Well, sorry about the spoiler alert but it does not end so well. Remember speed dating events? I must admit I never participated in those, but some good friends did as they felt they were not meeting suitable potential partners whilst busy with ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix I am so over women of a certain age being cast as the hard, tough, angry, bitter silver older sisters. First, we were invisible, then finally, like people of colour, we started being recognised for not giving up and adding value. Now, too many fashion designers, movie directors and women’s magazines are casting us as furious, ball-breaking witches. Enough! Are we not allowed to be feminine, alluring, strong, feisty, sexy, smart, and gentle? We have many layers and should not be shoved into one category only. Most of the women from my era with whom I interact gladly on social ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix We all know about curiosity killing the cat but honestly, I’m beginning to think too much honesty could be to blame for murdering relationships. Finding the balance between honesty, kindness and respect could be tricky, and the older one gets, the more one looks behind the veil, trying to understand the reason for people’s behaviour, so we could proceed wisely. Someone recently told me of a friend criticising them every time they met up for lunch. The so-called friend claims to ‘just being honest’ when she delivers the unsolicited jabs to our friend. Usually, my friend tells ..read more

A new year has welcomed us into its fold, and I cannot remember when last I felt so ready to start this new chapter of life! Much has happened during the Festive Season. For one, I became a year older, and I’d like to say I had some reservations about this new number! I’ve never liked figures but life, and business, requires one deals with basic arithmetic, which I have managed to do, miraculously. Whilst I’d rather write an essay about the importance of understanding the psychology of ants than tackle the beastly monthly budget, reality bites. So, after contemplating this ripe new age and spe ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix To most of us, buying a home is our biggest investment, not only to make a healthy profit when the time comes for us to sell and move on, but also because it is our safe place, our sanctuary, the place where we wish to live in harmony. A place where we can create a lifestyle that becomes an escape from all the craziness of the world. A comfortable cocoon. When our homely haven becomes a battlefield, it is up to us to identify the cause of such discontent and fix it. If the cause of that dark cloud over our home happens to be a bad relationship that cannot be salvaged, we par ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix It’s mind-blowing what some people will say on social media, in fact, in any media. There is so much toxic spill, one could not be surprised at the great divide of the world, seemingly more so than ever, caused by anger, ignorance, and hate. I’ve realised it is not good for my psyche to see and hear the constant vitriol uttered about other people, mostly, and too often about strangers. A beloved friend of many years, now living back in Germany after spending most of her adult life in South Africa, messaged me with a thank-you note for my mostly positive posts and messages ..read more

By Tilly Smith Dix Spring has officially arrived and this beautiful rejuvenation of the colourful season, like so many changes, also brought loss. My late dad said you knew you were joining the ranks of the elderly when your friends start dying, and when you find yourself saying goodbye more often than hello. My mom would smile, and say, “we are still here, so, let’s listen to music, dance, and embrace everyone who means something to us.” Too many dear friends, some younger than me, have had to endure dreadful cancer treatments, and I’m relieved that many of them have beaten that evil disease ..read more

by Tilly Smith Dix Wearing our character lines like a badge of honour and allowing ourselves to display our emotions on our faces, and with grace, is a gift. I remember my darling mom telling me to stop pulling funny faces behind her back (I then believed she had eyes in the back of her head), as it would remain like that when the clock strikes! Years later, I was reminded of this wisecrack when sexy Samantha of Sex and the City was telling a worried Carrie not to frown as when she starts ageing, it would show, demonstrating how her own forever upturning facial expressions would age so much be ..read more

by Tilly Smith Dix Winter colds are never predictable and opting for natural healing products, including plenty vitamin C, ginger, Manuka honey, and the necessary paracetamol or ibuprofen when in discomfort, seemed a good choice. Buying local produce, such as Manuka honey, sustains our economy. Speaking of which, I was looking at my home economy budget and felt a tad concerned, given the rising costs of everything, including energy! Then, there’s a knock at my door. I leave the security door locked, having perused the stranger at my door on my video doorbell first, and he is wearing a badge. H ..read more