Why Not now: my next 12 months

I turned 68 this week. I also walked away from a 48-year relationship. If you're doing the math, that means I spent almost my entire adult life building a life with someone else's name on it too.

So here's the truth: I don't have a five-year plan. I don't have a business degree, a marketing background, or the faintest idea how half of this online business stuff actually works. What I have is a decision. I'm done waiting for permission — from a relationship, from my age, from anyone — to build the life I actually want.

Here's what my the next 12 months look like.

I'm Building a Business I Know Nothing About

Champagne Girlie officially exists now. My first product, a journal called Why Not Now, is live, check it out at https://stan.store/champagnegirlie2108, because, I’m not sure how to post it here, YET. And I want to be honest with you: I don't know how to run an online business. I've never done this before. I'm 68 years old learning what a "checkout page" is, key word LEARNING.

But here's what I do know — I know what it's like to survive a setback that could have defined me and refuse to let it. I know what it's like to feel invisible at this age and decide to be loud instead. That's worth something. That's worth building a business around, even if I have to Google or You Tube half the steps along the way.

I'm not waiting until I "figure it all out" to start. I'm starting, and figuring it out in public. That's the whole point.

I'm Getting Into the Best Shape of My Life

Not for anyone else. Not to look a certain way. I'm doing it because this body has carried me through 68 years, a long marriage, two sons and the biggest decision of my life — and I want to make sure I have the strength for whatever comes next.

I don't need to look 40. I need to feel powerful at 68. Those are two very different goals, and I'm finally chasing the right one.

I'm Launching CHAMPAGNE GIRLIE EVENING OUT Event

This is the part I'm most excited to say out loud: I'm building Champagne Girlie Evening Out Events — real gatherings, real rooms full of women who are done shrinking. Because a journal is a beautiful place to start a reinvention, but reinvention gets easier when you're not doing it alone. I want rooms full of laughter, champagne, honesty, and women who remind each other that this chapter can be the best one yet.

I don't have all the details locked down yet. But it's coming. Consider this the first announcement and I will update my website when the details are lock down, my website, that’s so crazy!

I'm Going to Be Living Proof

If you're reading this and you're 55, 60, 70, and quietly wondering if it's too late for you — I need you to hear this from someone actually doing it, not someone theorizing about it from the other side of 30:

It is not too late. Not for the business. Not for the body. Not for the joy you haven't let yourself have yet.

I am going to spend this next year as living, breathing proof that life isn't over until it's over — and mine is nowhere close.

This Is Going to Be the Most Amazing Year of My Life

I know how that sounds coming from someone who just ended a 48-year relationship at 68. But I mean it. Not despite everything that happened — because of what I'm choosing to do next.

I don't have it all figured out and that’s ok. I'm learning as I go, building as I go, getting stronger as I go. But I'm doing it. Out loud. Starting now.

Why not now?

Come do this with me. 🥂

— Ginny aka Champagne Girlie

Stay Fabulous