Aging Joyfully: A Woman's Guide to Optimal Health, Relationships, and Fulfillment for Her 50s and Beyond

by Carla Marie Manly

Overview

How does a woman embrace her maturity with joy and strength when her body changes year to year? Psychologist Dr. Carla Marie Manly provides an important and meaningful window into womanhood for those approaching fifty and beyond. A must-read book for any woman approaching the age of fifty, Aging Joyfully touches the sensitive reality of the transition from a life filled with new beginnings to a graceful process filled with freedom, beauty, and joy. 

Includes chapters on:

• Loving Your Changing, Maturing Body;
• Your Health: What to Expect with Menopause, Memory Changes, and More;
• Shifting Relationships: Understanding and Adapting to Natural Changes in Relationship Dynamics;
• The Worlds of Work and Retirement: Facing Ageism and Retirement with Awareness;
• Aging Parents, Caregiving, and Loss: Gracefully Caring for Others and Letting Go; and
• Slowing Down as the Time Speeds Up: The Art of Transitioning into a New Life Role.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641701419
Publisher:	Familius
Publication date:	08/01/2019
Pages:	258
Sales rank:	190,332
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a practicing clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, uses a mindfulness-based approach that is rooted in neurobiology. Dr. Manly’s passion is helping others discover joy, balance, and optimal wellness from the inside out.


 

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Introduction 11

Chapter 1 Embracing Maturity with Wisdom and Joy 17

Chapter 2 Loving Your Maturing Self from the Inside Out 39

Chapter 3 Appreciating and Caring for Your Beautiful, Maturing Body 77

Chapter 4 Tuning In to Your Relationships and Roles 153

Chapter 5 Embracing Changes in Relationships and Roles 181

Chapter 6 A Brave, Passionate You 219

Postscript: Joyfully Living Your Dreams 241

References 247

Acknowledgments 253

About the Author 255

About Familius 256

What People are Saying About This

MD Marisha Chilcott

Dr. Manly is incredibly insightful as she helps women look at the second half of life with a perspective that is simultaneously realistic and positive. This work acknowledges the challenges and maps out the route we can take to achieve wisdom and joy throughout our lives.

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/15/2019

Psychologist Manly (Joy from Fear) guides women into their later years with wisdom and empathy in this touching work. Manly encourages those 50 and older to look at their life’s experiences and celebrate them rather than to look back with regret about dreams not achieved. Throughout, she offers “wisdom tips,” most of which are tied to the process of journaling. Perhaps counterintuitively, Manly first instructs women to write a disappointment letter to themselves listing all their life’s regrets, but immediately follows by asking them to write a letter of hopes for the future. Wisdom tip #35 counsels women to write a “my roles through life” letter and to examine the feelings it generates so one can pinpoint the toxic role regret and shame can play in emotional health. Manly also offers advice on dealing with the physical realities of aging, covering menopause, the benefits of exercise, and ways to watch food and alcohol consumption. Perhaps most importantly, she counsels women not to accept disrespect because of advancing age. This powerful work will be of use to any woman wishing to contemplate the meaning of a good life as she ages. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Dr. Manly is incredibly insightful as she helps women look at the second half of life with a perspective that is simultaneously realistic and positive. This work acknowledges the challenges and maps out the route we can take to achieve wisdom and joy throughout our lives."
- Marisha Chilcott, MD

"In Aging Joyfully, Dr. Carla Marie Manly projects aging holistically using grace, mindfulness, and humor. I am eager to share her wisdom with friends, colleagues, and nursing students to encourage approaching women’s aging with understanding, compassion, and empathy."
- Kathleen Rockett, MSN, RN, professor at Sonoma State University, BSN program
 
"Aging Joyfully offers the reader extraordinary insights for creating a joy-filled life. Although the journey of aging can be discomforting in many ways, Dr. Carla Marie Manly offers the reader comprehensive, reassuring wisdom. With a tone that is at once gentle and intelligent, Dr. Manly guides the reader step-by-step into the realm of aging with joy and grace."
- Walter Tom, MD, FACS
 
"In the pages of Aging Joyfully, Dr. Carla Marie Manly guides readers into a full appreciation of the freedom to be found in the later years of life. With an honest, humorous approach, she illuminates the unexpected delights of aging while offering expert insights into navigating aging challenges."
- Erica Manfred, author of I'm Old, So Why Aren't I Wise?: Snarky Senior in the Sunshine State

"Aging Joyfully is a much-needed, empowering read for women of all ages. Whether you’re in your 30s, 70s, or somewhere in between, this book takes the reader on an adventure into the heart and soul of womanhood. Dr. Carla Marie Manly’s genuine, open style invites the reader to understand and embrace all aspects of her life. She covers a vast array of vital topics with clarity and ease. Aging Joyfully is a must-read for every woman who wants to live with intention and joy."
- Joan Tabb, MA, author of Building Blocks for the NEW Retirement: An Easy, Interactive 8-Step Guide for a Retirement with Meaning, Purpose, and Fun, creator of ReVitalment®, and founder and principal of Greatin8Coaching.com
 
"There are many ways to age, if we are fortunate enough to do it at all. No way comes without challenges that can't be avoided. But how we meet them and go beyond coping to experiencing joy and appreciation for the development and opportunities aging can bring is optional. Dr. Carla Marie Manly provides clear directions and insights for a successful, satisfying journey that rings true. This book is a life-changer that gives new meaning to the term "self help."
- Dr. Thelma Reese, coauthor (with Dr. Barbara Fleisher) of The New Senior Woman: Reinventing the Years beyond Mid-Life and The New Senior Man: Exploring New Horizons, New Opportunities
 
"Aging Joyfully is the book mature women have been craving. While many women have achieved deeper understanding and acceptance of what life brings, most of us could use some extra help and guidance in developing more fully with an open heart and mind. Indeed, aging is a complex process that cannot be understood from a distance. Dr. Manly provides a guide to embracing aging in a manner that instills the reader with understanding and personal power. This sensitive, informative book offers wisdom and support—true gifts for those who desire to age with joy."
- Denise L Wagner, PsyD, LCSW

"Aging Joyfully is an uplifting, essential read for every woman facing aging issues. Dr. Carla Marie Manly demonstrates beautifully that we each have the power to choose a path of joy in the inevitable aging journey. Dr. Manly’s compassionate guidance promotes this essential shift: Aging can be beautifully empowering; it can offer every woman a new lease on life when its gifts are honored with grace and dedication.In the pages of Aging Joyfully, Dr. Manly moves the reader away from worry, doubt, and fear and into the creation of a most powerful, joyful future."
- Orchid D. Johnson MS, PhD, LMFT, LPCC, and Board Certified PTSD Clinician

"The blend of intelligence and compassion in this beautiful book should help many women deal with the real issues in getting older. You will find guidance, understanding, and a positive but not unrealistic approach to aging. Dr. Manly is an excellent writer and has deep experience, both of which make this book stand out. You can trust it and be inspired to be your best self."
- Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Ageless Soul​

"The blend of intelligence and compassion in this beautiful book should help many women deal with the real issues in getting older. You will find guidance, understanding, and a positive but not unrealistic approach to aging. Dr. Manly is an excellent writer and has deep experience, both of which make this book stand out. You can trust it and be inspired to be your best self."
- Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Ageless Soul

"Manly's is a warm, insightful, practical, and humorous guide to a life period she calls the most rewarding of all, despite its challenges. The difficult parts, she says, don't have to be faced alone: 'We can band together in love and community as only women do.' The book points to inner treasures that chronological age cannot touch and finds beauty in aging, deep love in elder years, and the joy of a mindset that is eager for what's to come...Aging Joyfully is a wise, wonderful companion for navigating 'one of the most beautiful eras of your life'."
- Foreword Reviews​

From the Publisher

Manly's is a warm, insightful, practical, and humorous guide to a life period she calls the most rewarding of all, despite its challenges. The difficult parts, she says, don't have to be faced alone: 'We can band together in love and community as only women do.' The book points to inner treasures that chronological age cannot touch and finds beauty in aging, deep love in elder years, and the joy of a mindset that is eager for what's to come...Aging Joyfully is a wise, wonderful companion for navigating 'one of the most beautiful eras of your life'.

Foreword Reviews

The blend of intelligence and compassion in this beautiful book should help many women deal with the real issues in getting older. You will find guidance, understanding, and a positive but not unrealistic approach to aging. Dr. Manly is an excellent writer and has deep experience, both of which make this book stand out. You can trust it and be inspired to be your best self.

author of Care of the Soul and Ageless Soul Thomas Moore

Aging Joyfullyis an uplifting, essential read for every woman facing aging issues. Dr. Carla Marie Manly demonstrates beautifully that we each have the power tochoosea path of joy in the inevitable aging journey. Dr. Manly’s compassionate guidance promotes this essential shift:Aging can be beautifully empowering; it can offer every woman a new lease on life when its gifts are honored with grace and dedication.In the pages ofAging Joyfully,Dr. Manly moves the reader away from worry, doubt, and fear and into the creation of a most powerful, joyful future.

Orchid D. Johnson MS

Aging Joyfullyis the book mature women have been craving. While many women have achieved deeper understanding and acceptance of what life brings, most of us could use some extra help and guidance in developing more fully with an open heart and mind. Indeed, aging is a complex process that cannot be understood from a distance. Dr. Manly provides a guide to embracing aging in a manner that instills the reader with understanding and personal power. This sensitive, informative book offers wisdom and support—true gifts for those who desire to age with joy.

Denise L Wagner

There are many ways to age, if we are fortunate enough to do it at all. No way comes without challenges that can't be avoided. But how we meet them and go beyond coping to experiencing joy and appreciation for the development and opportunities aging can bring is optional. Dr. Carla Marie Manly provides clear directions and insights for a successful, satisfying journey that rings true. This book is a life-changer that gives new meaning to the term "self help."

Dr. Thelma Reese

Aging Joyfullyis a much-needed, empowering read for women of all ages. Whether you’re in your 30s, 70s, or somewhere in between, this book takes the reader on an adventure into the heart and soul of womanhood. Dr. Carla Marie Manly’s genuine, open style invites the reader to understand and embrace all aspects of her life. She covers a vast array of vital topics with clarity and ease.Aging Joyfullyis a must-read for every woman who wants to live with intention and joy.

Joan Tabb

In the pages ofAging Joyfully,Dr. Carla Marie Manly guides readers into a full appreciation of the freedom to be found in the later years of life. With an honest, humorous approach, she illuminates the unexpected delights of aging while offering expert insights into navigating aging challenges.

Erica Manfred

Aging Joyfullyoffers the reader extraordinary insights for creating a joy-filled life. Although the journey of aging can be discomforting in many ways, Dr. Carla Marie Manly offers the reader comprehensive, reassuring wisdom. With a tone that is at once gentle and intelligent, Dr. Manly guides the reader step-by-step into the realm of aging with joy and grace.

Walter Tom

In Aging Joyfully, Dr. Carla Marie Manly projects aging holistically using grace, mindfulness, and humor. I am eager to share her wisdom with friends, colleagues, and nursing students to encourage approaching women’s aging with understanding, compassion, and empathy.

Kathleen Rockett

Dr. Manly is incredibly insightful as she helps women look at the second half of life with a perspective that is simultaneously realistic and positive. This work acknowledges the challenges and maps out the route we can take to achieve wisdom and joy throughout our lives.

MD Marisha Chilcott

In Aging Joyfully, Dr. Carla Marie Manly projects aging holistically using grace, mindfulness, and humor. I am eager to share her wisdom with friends, colleagues, and nursing students to encourage approaching women’s aging with understanding, compassion, and empathy.

KathleeRockett

07/01/2019

In a culture in which many women are terrified of growing old, psychologist Manly writes that women can be the most brilliant version of themselves by making sensible personal choices. The author shares more than 80 tips addressing everything from anxiety and loneliness to life roles and relationships. While she acknowledges the physical ailments that often come with aging, Manly also highlights the wisdom accrued through life experiences. Regrets? Write a letter to oneself, then let them go. Anger? Practice deep breathing as a way to release the emotions. Her suggestions are anything but simplistic, and her tone is uplifting and inspiring. VERDICT Recommended as a worthy update to other books on this often underrepresented topic.

Library Journal