This week marks the 16th anniversary of my stepdaughter Kim’s untimely death at 34 years old from a deadly combination of alcohol and bulimia. My view is that Kim died because she thought she had more time before she had to deal with her problems. But time ran out.
Each year, I try to do something positive in her memory. This year, I have done a video that is embedded in a web page that offers young women specific advice on how to survive tough times. Just as Kim ran out of time, I think that time is running out for us to make good choices about dealing with the problems of climate change, peak oil, economic uncertainty and the population explosion. So the challenge becomes working to change the world, while improving the odds of our own survival.
My personal bias is that it is time for women to play a greater role in determining our fate. Please consider this a modest first step.
These are great tips and are really making me think this morning. It’s overwhelming and scary, but I think my generation has been so lucky (and spoiled) that we can’t imagine truly taking care of ourselves the way women throughout all of history have. I found the most inspiration from where you shared what your mother and grandmother did. These skills are invaluable and yet we’ll have to teach ourselves if we’re going to be prepared.
I am finding your blog very interesting and enlightening. Not to mention a bit discouraging. Young women would be smart to follow your advice. I however am starting over at age 45. Newly divorced after 20 years of marriage, single mom, strong early job history but mediocre in more recent years and currently looking for work. Did relocate to a more affordable area. Beyond that I wonder what advice you would offer someone like me. I truly feel like a cliche.