Go to betterhelp.com/SilverandSolo to enjoy a special discount on your first month of therapy with BetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help.

So happy to see your channel growing. Loving your authentic content!

Go Gen X! I'm so glad more women in their 50's like you are starting channels. It's fantastic to see the growth of this. I've been on a similar KZread journey, I started uploading videos fairly regularly in 2020 at the beautiful age of 50 all the while I was loosing sight in my right eye And the pandemic hit. It took a massive toll on me. I had reconnected with my faith, and deleted about 100 videos by the end of 2021 because I didn't think most of the vids were representing who I was becoming. BUT the encouraging outcome had been growing closer to my faith and started my youtube channel again by creating new videos on a regular basis and uploading older videos Thanks for the inspiration Jen.

There is something very soothing and relaxing about watching your videos that keeps me tuned in. You're doing a great job ❤ Thank you.

Several years ago, I had a “yes” year. I had a lot of wonderful experiences. Some were scary and made me want to hide again, but I came out on the other side with more knowledge & skills. I’ve fallen back into my default, “I’m too busy” mode. I need another “yes” year.

So, I am a therapist at BetterHelp and I am so happy that this is your first sponsor! Being a therapist is the best job ever! I think your perspective on life is one of the reasons I have gravitated toward your channel.

@silverandsolo

13 сағат бұрын

That is awesome!

Love this, Jen. Thanks so much for your attitude of gratitude!

Jen, you are so awesome. I love your personality and advice. I look forward to your new videos dropping. 💌

Love your photos in Japan, what a fantastic experience! Great perspective. I'm in the UK and one of the best years of my life was travelling solo in Australia when I was 28

Excellent channel! Your content is unique and offers excellent perspectives. I appreciate you so much. I save your videos to watch when I have time to really listen actively and then think about how this applies in my life. In my life I’ve learned: my mind limits my body more than my body does (I.e., I’m physically capable of far more than I think I am), settling beneath my standards in love and friendship is disastrous and a waste of time and energy. And, like you, being open to new experiences can lead to wonderful, enriching discoveries (read: concrete thinker discovers poetry, hiking). Thank you! Much success to you! 😊

I finally found a job I could do with my health problems, and I enjoyed it. Then covid happened, and 24 days after my 50th birthday, I was laid off due to covid causing financial problems for the shop owner. That was a blessing, and I started planning my solo life knowing I was going to become an empty nester. New location. New life and new me. Yes, I get lonely at times, but on the whole, I'm happy. 😊

Thanks for that Jen. I enjoy your channel as a 63 and going silver solo myself.

CONGRATULATIONS! On your first sponsorship!!!! 😊

Love your video! I am a nurse practitioner (peds)and deal with children daily who have anxiety and depression.

I'm so glad the KZread algorithm sent me your channel. I'm so inspired by your experience, and you inspire young adults like me. Just started my channel last month after dealing with a long illness. Can't go back to a work on a normal job so started a remote jobs channel. Thanks for your testimony.

LOVE your story of your time in Japan. Japan holds a very special place in my heart!! I lived there (in Tachikawa) from 1962-1969 when my father was stationed there in the Air Force. I was 10-17 while there and I look back on my growing up years with great fondness. I loved living there and loved the Japanese people.

I love your videos. I am a 56 year old black American female and we have so much in common. I had a house and sold it in 2016 having to relocate to another area of my state due to my job layoff. That said, I've since been renting. The same struggles I've heard you express I've had them too. Only by the grace of God will I ever be able to afford another house because the housing market in the U.S. is unattainable for a middle class American. I was bullied as well as a child and an adult. I am not a week person. It was jealousy from other black females. I was shocked that adult women acted so ugly. Be blessed from Charlotte, N.C., USA.

@lrigdrenlrigdren2147

Күн бұрын

Sending you hugs, Melody! Don't give up - that home may be in your future yet, when the time is right and prices are lower! I thought it was out of reach for me too, as a single woman. But, there was a house on the same street as my relative, which was foreclosed in 2007, ... so I submitted a bid through HUD and got it! [Had no idea that was the leading edge of the housing crisis.] Further, I lost my job a few years later and had to move 1000 miles away from everything I knew ... but thanks to friends renting from me, I was able to keep paying on the house, while also paying rent for an apartment in my new city. And thanks to putting every spare penny toward the 30 year mortgage, I was able to pay it off in 10 years! It felt like a race against time. Then I lost that job too, just months afterward ... but I had a *home* to go to! This taught me that even when you can't see the outcome, keep making those small steps toward your goals, and the impossible may just happen! Hoping for the very best for you!! 🙂

I'm a little older than you, but you have become my spirit animal! ❤️🔥

Loved hearing about your experiences in Japan! I embraced similar adventures throughout my younger life also, and I’m so glad I did.

You speak so well, Jen, you should be a motivational or life coach. I'm older than you but I've learned a few things from you that I think have improved my view on aging, so thanks!

I volunteered in Peru. Went there alone and had some challenges but wouldn't change anything.

I also did a year teaching in Japan. Loved it.

There is just so much I love about your videos. The one thing you are very consistent with is just being straightforward and honest and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you doing that. I always learn something or just find someone who thinks and feels like I do. Bravo on another great video 👏

You’ve been an inspiration to me in starting my small channel. Thanks so much for your content and your commitment.

@silverandsolo

13 сағат бұрын

You are so welcome!

I’m new to your channel. Great job telling ur story.

Loving your journey on KZread! I'm following along closely as you inspire my own creative quest. Congrats on the sponsorship 🎉

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

Thank you!! 😊

I really enjoyed this post! It was just great to hear more about you and how you have arrived at this place. What makes you, you! As a fellow introvert, this seems like such a risk. I hope you share more stories in the future.

Great advice

I really love your honesty and your content keep up the good work!

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

I appreciate that!

So glad I came across your channel youve given me so much inspiration

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

I'm so glad!

You are a great example of a person who has embraced their own self-worth. You know who you are. 🙏 ❤

Could you one day take the camera to your bookshelf? I am very interested in your reading. Thanks.

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

Lots of people ask that...I'm ruminating on how to make a video of it....

@hp-cs7mx

Күн бұрын

Ooh yes. Even in childhood, if we were visiting you would find me sitting next to the bookshelf. Widens the horizons!

I love your channel, Jen, and I'm glad BetterHelp is your sponsor - having someone to talk to in stressful times, is so important! Okay, back to watching your videos! EDIT - Okay I wish I could give 2 thumbs up. This is really really good! [And I won't try to talk you into liking math, even though that's what I do for a living!!]

I love this story ❤

I really like your content.. and i think your doing a great job delivering it... it feels like we are sitting and having tea, and a really nice visit....good job!

@silverandsolo

13 сағат бұрын

I appreciate that!

I have to tell you , it was finding your Chanel and watching some of your videos that inspired me to start my own Chanel . It’s definitely getting outside my comfort zone but …why not 😂. I wish you all the best and will be watching 😊

I like your stories

This was awesome! Thank you! 👍😎🇨🇦🦐🦐🦐

It's fascinating to see pictures of younger Jen...you have such a cool life history!

This was a very interesting topic today. You gave me a lot to think about. I need to let this percolate in my brain for a while before I comment. But, this is also one of the reasons I love to watch your vlogs. 😁👍 --Paula in Ohio USA

This was so interesting! Thanks for sharing!

Good morning. Thank God for you. More people should be like you. Great perspectives. Thanks for sharing.

@jeannepotter3051

2 күн бұрын

I couldn't have said it better. Inspiring and hopeful, even to me...a woman in her 8th decade.

Good morning. I can totally relate to this video

great video Jen. I loved that you just said yes to life without having to know how it was all going to go. In 2012 I took a trip to Europe and did it on my own. I started by visiting a friend in Scotland and then took off on my own. The next place was in France. the final destination was the the Amalfi coast. I had never travelled anywhere that far away,(on my own), also anywhere where the first language was not English. I booked my places to stay along the way and made choices of where to go and what do to on the fly. I recall the first day I was about to go out on my own from Paris. I had horrible anxiety. Then like you I had a talk with myself. I looked up in my hostel room and there was a woman from Brazil with me and she was preparing to leave. She had almost no English and somehow we communicated. Turns out we were taking the same train to the south of France. She was so glad I was with her as I could watch her bags as she bought her ticket. She spoke fluent French and helped me buy mine. when we arrived at the train she was on the front car and me towards the back. We hugged thanked each other and off we went. After that I travelled so well. when the trip ended after 5 weeks away I thought to myself," now I can go anywhere". It was the greatest feeling I have experienced. My journey was magical and I trusted myself to look after me and say Yes to life.

I am picturing the picnic under the cherry blossom trees. What a wonderful memory for you! 🌸

Jen, you have (on purpose or not) developed high Emotional Intelligence and your Amygdala’s are healthy and working as God intended. May I encourage you to consider writing a book? Perhaps you could title it “Trusting Your Gut, life examples of calculated risk taking and growing through adversity.” Your voice is easy to listen to therefore, I would also encourage you to record it yourself for the Audible version. My favorite part of this video is “don’t have all your friends in one basket”, people come and go with different seasons in life. In the Bible, God recorded “Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ….” Thank you ❤❤❤

What a wonderful video summarizing some of your life adventures up to this point. How very interesting and inspiring it was for me while I listened. Thank you for sharing.❤️

Thank you for another engaging video! Just started my own channel a couple of weeks ago and I always find your videos to be inspiring. :)

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

That is awesome!

Me again! Meant to tell you that I didn't know about blvd's and streets running perpendicular to each other, either🤣

Lovely video Jen, and again such a great way to share your life experiences. And I am so happy your channel now got sponsored ! The Sky is the limit! How are we ever do the same ? You are the best teacher for all of us who are + 50 and trying to get better. Thank you🌻

These chats have helped a lot. I don't do numbers well. Studied biology in collage as an encore (older) student. I loved the experience. At 61+ (silver & solo) I've considered it again.

Super interesting conversation, thank you very much!!

Jen many thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I love listening to you. As a fellow introvert I think you’re incredibly brave but I guess bravery brings rewards both large & small. My whole life nature & wildlife are my one great love & I hiked everywhere until let’s just say a small prick which was necessary as part of my occupation left me disabled. I lost my career, I lost my home, I lost my good health & basically aged 38 had to start again trapped in a body that doesn’t function as it should. I was encouraged for years to Sue but having lost so much I did not wish to wake up each day in battle mode for what would equate to one years salary. I decided every day I would seek out small blessings that brought me great joy. I can no longer walk up mountains but I can use my car as a portable bird hide & seek out beautiful things in nature to photograph & enjoy. A positive attitude most certainly helps, oh & books, lots of books. Did I mention books😂📚🦅🐦‍⬛🦆🪿🦉🐞🐝🌲Annie🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I loved your stories with this video! Listening to them inches me further into a secret dream that I’ve never told a soul. You’re living the life you want and that is so inspiring.

You are so wise! I really appreciate your humour, too! Thanks for a fantastic video!

You are such a good story-teller, Jen, with interesting life experiences. You draw me in by sharing how they made you stronger. Thanks for sharing this most personal video, esp the pictures! 💜

Hi Jenn! Really loving your videos, you are such an inspiration!❤ I’m 63, finally starting a new job and finally starting my own KZread channel! I really appreciate your confidence, presence, and your heart-felt, instinctual approach to your presentations! 😊

How interesting! I spent the summer between my junior and senior years of college teaching in a small town, Kawamoto-cho, in Matsue-shi. I've never regretted the experience. ❤ Continuing to enjoy your channel to the point that I have to become a patron! Thanks for such great content!

A huge respect for u for sharing.❤❤❤❤

Great video, Jen. And this is why YT needs creators over 50. We have wisdom and experiences to share that can give hope and perspective to each other, and those younger as well.

It’s so true in the middle of a crisis you can’t always see a way out but keeping a positive mind set focus on what’s real and in front of you and a way presents itself. With hindsight you can then reflect and accept the best choices were made with what you had to deal with. Move on always look forward ❤❤ nothing ever stays the same

Jen, thank you for today's video, you have lifted my spirit!

Im more adventurous with food than most people. Ate baby squid at a posh restaurant once, took some guts but they are delicious. Ive eaten boar, ostrich and crocodile. Still cant try oysters though lol.

❤ so awesome!

Great advice! Thank you for sharing. I think we were in Japan at the same time--1989-1990? A wonderful experience that I would not trade for the world!

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

I was there 92-93, close enough!

This video was so fascinating to me. I love hearing people’s backgrounds and seeing some snippets from their past. Thanks for sharing! I am trying to stay optimistic in spite of chronic health problems since cancer years ago. I do believe anything is possible! It helps to hear your stories of getting through and past struggles.

Your story was so inspiring. What an exciting chapter in your life going to Japan.

What a wonderful experience for you in Japan! Thank you for sharing it and other stories of your life. Loved hearing them.

Great story about Japan! In 2008 at the age of 58 I took a job teaching English in China. I was newly widowed and floundering about. My children were very opposed to the idea, but I needed to strike out on my own. Those 3 years were among the richest and most challenging in my life.

Still appreciating you & your channel! I work with entrepreneurs - are women, low income, disabled or living with a chronic illness, and/ or have experienced trauma. The willingness to say, "yes" is so key.

I like your practical advice. I'm also 60 and solo by choice. Two years ago, doing long range planning for eventual retirement, I moved to an unpopular US state where I knew no one and had never been to. But the region is more affordable than where I lived. So I showed up to the home I'd bought sight unseen online. Yup, I did that. I also told my solo self, "this is my new home. I don't care what's here, I'm going to make it work." And so far, I have.

Thank you for your message of bravery and saying “Yes”!

Very brave!❤

I asked for guidance today in a prayer! I am a widow and have been solo for 2.5 yrs. Never ever lived alone until I lost my soul partner, I seem to be going so many directions and I was drawn to this video and you tonight. I’ve subscribed and look forward to learning more.thank you.

Great video!

Loved the video.💚☘️💚

Love love this video

As I briefly scroll everyone's comments I see a common thread of stories of hardship and coming out on top or re-inventing ones-self. Mindset and a view toward opportunity is key. Great content!

You are so honest and encouraging. A true inspiration. I was bullied for years. It’s painful and I’m sorry you went through that. Also an introvert 🙋‍♀️ I’m in transition and faced with uncertainty over how I will sustain myself as a single older female (with little formal education) and your videos always give me ideas. Thank you ❤

I am so with you when it comes to numbers. Anything longer the 4 digits and I have to write it down. Sadly I work in accounting. 😅 My brain hurts every day.

@silverandsolo

Күн бұрын

You poor thing!

I've been binge watching your channel. LOVE how you are more and more sharing your authentic self. I feel like I've found a new friend! Thank you for doing this. 😊

Jen, I shared your video with my 27 year old son. I only wish I'd received your advice much earlier in my life. Thank you!

I did pretty much the same thing. I retired in 2017, before 2020. I have been extremely lucky! Teaching has become extremely toxic and I left with my brain still intact!!!

Really enjoyed your video!

Great video really enjoyed it ❤

Your words and stories are refreshing. This is the real world. Take care. At sixty I am facing unemployment and it’s harder than I thought it would be. As a single woman I am shitting bricks. But I sense that I will be ok. Take care everybody.

@LindaGRobert

2 күн бұрын

@@ruthmarner6582 you will be!

Jen - you are a masterful storyteller. It is the rare video that I watch from start to finish, yours being the exception. Not only do you capture the viewer with your eloquence and honesty, but you also share your vulnerability in a way that makes us feel like you’re right there in the room with us, sharing from your heart. My decision to build my KZread channel came straight out of watching your videos on monetizing. You have given me the courage and the inspiration to do this, and for those reading, it’s never too late. I will be 70 years old in December. Thank you Jen, I look forward to continuing to learn from you.

@Foundinfrance

2 күн бұрын

And you're very motivational too 😊

@Foundinfrance

2 күн бұрын

Good evening Jen (well, in France it is). I was very interested to hear more of your story here and weirdly before you mentioned the psychology degree, I thought you had natural talent there. I too feel that I have learned from the roller coaster of life including therapy and anti-depressants but isn't it wonderful finding the strength to see that positivity rocks and can get you through?! It's great to see you in purple. Do you know the great poem about it below by Jenny Joseph? When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people’s gardens And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practise a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

I wish we lived near each other. I could learn so much from you. I am recently widowed at age 75. I’ve always been adventurous, but it’s been squelched by my husband and my parents. Now that I’m free to do whatever, I find that I’m froze by fear of what might happen. I want to be you!!

Really enjoyed this! May watch it a 2nd time. It’s very thought provoking.

Oh, as a fellow introvert I felt your pain! You are the very best expert on you! Once you realise that and know that you like yourself, that you are a good person, then moving forward is a gentle journey. Not basing your opinion of yourself on the ill-judged opinions of others, is a revelation. It allows you to grow and give more to others. Stay well Jen, much love Imi x❤

I think you should run for president. No seriously. You connect so well to us viewers and I always look forward to you videos. BTW, love that you had red hair. My daughter does too! I love your story about being in Japan!

@zazubombay

2 күн бұрын

You mean Prime Minister : )

@mollieanne

2 күн бұрын

@@zazubombay oh darn! That is right, she lives in Canada lol Dang! ha ha

Good one Jen. Nice to hear more about you. I would just say "ditto".

Great video! I really enjoyed it 😊 thank you for sharing

Yes! Yes! Yes! Love your example of living in Japan and just going for it just as it is. That's exactly the spirit I want folks to embrace. And thanks so much for the shout out in the description. Love it, Jen! Keep going!

Hi Jen!!!! You had a typo, but I say keep it- might give you more engagement. 🎉 I love your channel and your journey!!!!

@silverandsolo

2 күн бұрын

Thanks for that...I don't know how I missed it!

@RoseQuartz728

2 күн бұрын

@@silverandsolo I’ve seen tutorials that say to do it on purpose just for the engagement, so I would go with it. 🥰 You’re the hottest thing on KZread, Jen, I literally scolded a child for using your face as her thumbnail. It was about you, but seemed to trick the viewer into thinking it was you… she tricked me! Anyway, sketchy marketing will happen… they copy you- it means you’re doing something right! Thanks for being unapologetically you! ❤️

This resonates so much… the bullying, fighting to study what’s right for you, broadening the mind with immersion in a different culture.. I was nodding my head all along. Saying yes is highly recommendable!

Thank you for letting me get familiar with a different approach towards life than I was prone to. In contrast to you I had to say “ No” and stick to it, as I gave out too many “ yes” which sucked up all my resources both physically and mentally. Both of my parents were narcissists, as I learned recently. My first marriage was to an uncovert narcissist, my second one to a covert one. I was good at Living my life together with my loved ones, I managed everything. After having turned sixty I left my second husband . I felt free for about five months during the summer, but declined into a severe depression in fall. The female therapist told me everything I dealt with wasn’t a big deal. Not helpful at all. I leave out a few steps. The principle ruling me was to do everything imaginable for others except myself. I am 67 now and make small progress. I don’t rush myself by doing so . What many people don’t understand is referring to my former accomplishments I have difficulties giving myself the attention I gave to others. Seems easy to them. It’s not. I’m improving, making progress. I’ll carry on and I’m faithful I can do it, alone. So you give me great inspiration.Thank you.

@mariarooney6262

2 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing regineheine.

@helenaville5939

2 күн бұрын

Your experience is so interesting. Your level of self-awareness is admirable and refreshing. Thanks for sharing it. 👍 ❤

This has been the video I have admired the most. Keep doing your thing. Inspire and create!

I love the photos and stories you shared about your experiences, thank you!

I too was laid off after 17 years at the same company, at the age of 55. (I kinda saw it coming, and low and behold the whole department was eliminated just six months later). I got a good severance and didn't let it bother me, even though they called me while I was out of the country on vacation, which when you think about it is pretty crappy. I did get one more job I stayed at for 1 1/2 years before I had had enough. And in 2020 a tornado came right down our half of our street and the entire street behind me and really changed everything, just two days before the Covid epidemic took over. What a time!