Are you comfortable travelling, going out, socialising on your own, or do you always prefer to share experiences with others?

In this episode, Lucy and Lisette reflect on their experiences of doing things independently throughout their lives and now as women in their 70s. They discuss the challenges and joys of reclaiming one’s identity after separation, divorce or the loss of a partner, and how they've learned to be comfortable in their own company.

Key Insights

• Lisette has generally been more comfortable doing things on her own, like going to the theatre or traveling, while Lucy took longer to embrace doing activities solo after her first marriage ended.

• The transition away from being part of a couple can be "discombobulating" as you have to redefine your sense of self and create new boundaries and ways of being in the world.

• Both friends have challenges with small talk and feeling anxious or self-conscious in certain social settings, like pubs or networking events. They share strategies they've learned, like asking questions to get the other person talking.

• The conversation delves into deeper issues of self-worth and needing external validation, stemming from their upbringings and family dynamics. Lucy and Lisette plan to continue growing and learning, rather than accepting limits based on their age.

• Learning to be comfortable in your own company develops over time, often as a result of life events that force you to reinvent yourself. Curiosity and a willingness to put yourself out there can help overcome feelings of self-consciousness.

Why You Should Listen

This episode provides a relatable and insightful look at the journey of self-discovery that can come with being single, independent, or working as a consultant or freelancer.

Lisette and Lucy's experiences and reflections offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating the joys and challenges of doing things independently, whether by choice or circumstance. Their conversation is both deeply personal and universally resonant. They invite listeners to share their own tips and experiences with navigating social situations and doing activities independently – particularly as women.

Join The Conversation

Do you enjoy your own company or have you learned to navigate solo activities by trial and error? Or do you always prefer to socialise or network with a partner or friend alongside?

If you have tips and tricks to help Lucy and Lisette - and others - be better at small talk or taking part in group activities alone, please tell us about them in the comments.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

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Do you have a childhood BFF, or a group that has stuck together through thick and thin? Or are your friendships more transient and changing?

In this episode,''The Year of Being 70 Ep35: BFFs and Frenemies - 7 Decades of Friendship'' childhood friends and co-hosts Lucy and Lisette have an open and thoughtful discussion about the nature of friendship - how it evolves over a lifetime, the different types of friends we have, and the challenges of maintaining deep connections as we grow older. They share their personal experiences and insights, exploring themes of belonging, energy levels, and finding one's own path in relationships.

Key Highlights

• Lisette and Lucy reflect on the idea of having a "circle of friends" versus more individualised friendships, and how each suits their personalities differently.

• They discuss the bittersweet experience of losing touch with childhood friends, and the mixed feelings that can come with reconnecting later in life.

• The hosts explore how work relationships can sometimes become the closest friendships, and the importance of finding common interests and shared experiences.

• Lisette shares her perspective on breaking away from a suffocating "student group" friendship, and the courage it took to define her own boundaries.

• Lucy expresses her comfort in considering her sons and their partners as some of her closest friends in adulthood.

• Both hosts acknowledge the challenge of feeling "out of tune" with certain social groups, and the value of surrounding oneself with people who energise and inspire.

Why You Should Listen

This episode offers a relatable and nuanced look at the evolution of friendship through the lens of two old friends looking at life from the age of 70.

Lucy and Lisette's candid conversation provides insights into the complexities of maintaining meaningful connections, the importance of self-awareness, and the joy of finding kindred spirits at every stage of life.

Whether you're reflecting on your own friendships or simply curious about the experiences of others, this episode is sure to resonate and encourage thoughtful introspection.

Join The Conversation

Do you have lifelong friends, a school bestie who is still your go-to friend, or an inner circle who have known each other forever? Or have you experienced toxic friendships or friends from your past you have nothing in common with any more? Are your work mates your best mates, or is your family your friendship group?

Tell us in the comments – we’d love to hear your experiences, thoughts and views.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

#yearofbeing70 #lucyandlisette #podcast #mccarraherpodcast #ep35 #friends #friendship #bestfriends #besties #bff #bffs #schoolfriends #studentfriends #family #friendshipgroups #newfriends #oldfriends #frenemies #toxicfriendship #menfriends #womenfriends #stayingfriends #losingfriends #fulfilment #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast #lucyandlisettepodcastjourney #reflectionsonourlives #personaltransformationstories #lifechangesafter70 #lifechangesafter40 #spiritualgrowth #personalgrowth #sharedhistories #podcastabouthistory #trendspodcast #lifeafter70 #aginggracefully #personalstories #friendshipinoldage #womenspodcast #turning70 #agingjourney #podcastaboutaging #lifeafter50 #reinventionat50 #aginggracefully #lifelonglearning #womenover50...

In this episode, Lucy and Lisette discuss an interesting dinner party concept - if you could invite three people, alive or deceased, to your dinner table, who would you choose and why?

This leads to a fascinating conversation where the two good friends share their selected trio of dinner guests and the reasoning behind their choices.

Key Highlights

* Lisette's Trio

Lisette takes a very personal approach to this challenge, choosing to invite three people she was very close to and who all passed away in 2008. They were a gay American greengrocer friend, a software entrepreneur who pioneered ideas around environmental accounting and taxation, and her own father. This diverse group represents different eras, passions and personal connections for Lisette, all of whose company she misses and would like to experience again.

* Lucy's Trio

Lucy, on the other hand, wants to meet up and chat with three of the best known writers of all time: the renowned playwright and poet, William Shakespeare; Virginia Woolf, the pioneering novelist and publisher; and J.K. Rowling, the massively successful author of the Harry Potter series of books and films. These three all share literary genius, immense popularity with their audiences, financial success and a flair for business – all of which reflect Lucy's interests.

* The two friends discuss the different creative processes of writers like Lucy’s guests, and composers like Mozart and Beethoven – something Lucy would want to ask her dinner guests about, as well as their lived experience of London in the Elizabethan and early 20th century eras.

* Lisette and Lucy both share poignant personal anecdotes about their loved ones, including Lisette's father thinking he had died and a touching final conversation.

* They wonder how the diverse guests they have both invited to their dinner parties would interact and converse with one another and what intriguing insights they might share.

Why You Should Listen

This episode of The Year of Being 70 offers a unique window into Lucy and Lisette's personal connections, intellectual interests and creative sensibilities. By sharing their dream dinner party guest lists, they give listeners an opportunity to consider who their own ideal dinner party guests might be, and why; as well as gaining insights into what motivates and inspires these two unique and perhaps unusual women.

The conversation also touches on profound themes of mortality, legacy and the enduring power of the human mind and spirit.

Join The Conversation

Who would you invite to an intimate dinner party at your place – people you know or knew well, or heroes past or present? How do you think they would interact with each other and, if they are no longer alive, what would they think of the world today you’ve invited them back to? What would you want to ask them, find out from them or get their insights about? And what menu would you offer them?

Tell us in the comments – we’d love to hear your thoughts and views.

Watch/listen to our full playlist (The Year of Being 70): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzDmlsx6mhXmqlFJFZEEvaOwytbeAMFCm

If you enjoyed this discussion of an engaging subject, as well as the personal journeys of these old (in every sense) friends, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of The Year of Being 70. Subscribe now and join the journey!

#yearofbeing70 #lucyandlisette #podcast #mccarraherpodcast #ep34 #dinnerparties #dinnerguests #Shakespeare #VirginiaWoolf #JKRowling #HarryPotter #writing #plays #theatre #novels #movies #London #history #Bloomsburygroup #success #business #genius #entrepreneurs #fulfilment #wisdom #love #70yearolds #lifetransitions #babyboomers #elderly #gettingolder #gettingold #stayingyoung #thelongview #truestories #memories #storypodcast #lucylisettepodcast #theyearofbeing70podcast...