Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Kane.
Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I realized as I got older things were changing for me in terms of physical (hello chin hair!), emotional (crabby and tired from not sleeping and hormonal changes) and social needs (finding others who would eat earlier than 7:00pm). I was surprised at how fast bodies change as well as how fast one can go from being in the midst of planning and making decisions in the work force to feeling very invisible. I needed to know I was not alone or going crazy, So I began to interview other women age 50+.. The interviews started out as questions I asked casually to friends and eventually turned into gatherings of women in other women’s homes. It became a very popular experience and in the end I interviewed over 200 women all about their experiences with aging.
From all of the information gathered from these beautiful and wonderful women, I wrote a book, Sparkle On. The book became an award winning one and I began my speaking and coaching career as a result of the many women I began meeting along the way. I won the AARP’s 50/50 award for my work with women and aging. I started creating workbooks and guiding sessions for women needing to feel relevant, seen, heard and desperate to normalize aging. This lead to a Facebook group of over 5000 women looking for connections and information. From this I was able to network with a variety of women and began to work with a state AARP sponsored program called SHIFT. This is a series of group sessions geared for finding what other areas might be of interest after retiring from one career and looking for another.
I currently host a podcast, Oatmeal, Pearls and Bourbon. It is all about healthy living, wisdom and toasting life. I am also hosting upcoming workshops centered around aging and the gifts that come with that.
An important message I try to pass along is to live not just the length of our lives but also the width. We are more than our age, and we are seen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning it was exciting and I had started to go with whatever came my way. In turn, this created some twists I didn’t need to take or see coming. But lessons learned and now I pass this information to others. I would offer staying relevant in a world of social media is tricky. There are so many others wanting to engage with you about a variety of topics. It can be exhausting figuring out how to engage with existing women who are a part of the work I do and to engage with new women.
The other obstacles were COVID and having both of my parents enter memory care centers. COVID protocols actually helped build up my connections. Many were using online modes of learning and communicating. I found I had a built in eager audience ready to connect and learn. After COVID it was harder to engage on regular basis.
The hardest part has been having parents with Alzheimer’s. It is very difficult to navigate and feel like you’ve done enough. It is also an emotional roller coaster. I have let many things drop as a result of caregiving for them. And while I am retired after being in the education field for 34 years, I feel busier than I ever was.
Lastly, I would like to add that talking about aging and all that comes along with this isn’t always an energy infused conversation. For some, it reminds them they have lived more than they will and will question whether they have done what they wanted to…could do? I remind myself that while we have wrinkles and unexpected tinkles, we are still able to live a really fulfilling life. This is my message…that and having a really good tweezer is important!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an award-winning author, speaker and coach for empowering aging women. I emphasize focusing on the gifts we bring to the table regardless of our age. It is important for me to lift up women and help them remember how special they still are and the gifts we can find as we age. Never too old to be or do what it is you want to.
I am known for my story telling and humor filled presentations and writing. I have poignant stories I use to illustrate points of consideration. However, I am often given feedback both in person and on written evaluations, how my humor infused stories helps to create a sense of being in a friends living room talking about life and how to manage, cope and move forward.
Whether it is my writing, speaking or coaching, I will often offer a perspective on gratitude and the difference this can make in our life. I really try to use gratitude in all situations…and not just ones where everything is going great. Many days, many times are not. But when we look for even the smallest reason to feel grateful it can change everything.
I am really proud of how often I am asked to present for an organization due to someone hearing me speak at a prior event. What an honor it is to have made such an impact on someone enough to recommend me as a speaker. In addition, I love my work as a podcast host and facilitator for workshops I offer for women and aging.
I try to stand out by taking ordinary stories and creating extraordinary learning opportunities. I also believe we are in this together and in this instance (when speaking, writing or coaching) I have the honor of helping others this go around. I have plenty of stories where I am the one being helped, and because of this, I share my gratitude.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The importance of finding a mentor is invaluable! I love looking to other women who have walked before me or even after me, as guides for navigating a variety of situations. There are those who believe we need to be in competition with each other if we have similar work we do. Often entrepreneurship is set up this way, especially for women. However, I find when we work together and lift each other up, we do much better in work and personal lives collectively.
I have several mentors in my life. I find asking questions and seeking guidance to be very helpful and decreases stress. Sometimes mentors are in my life for moments; while others remain steady over time. All have value for me. I believe having others you can lean into creates partnerships and invaluable outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimkaneandgratitude.com
- Instagram: kim.kane.gratitude
- Facebook: kim.kane.gratitude
- Twitter: @aging_gratitude
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lifeingratitude
