Choosing What Lights You Up at 60
My husband and I were tired of maintaining two acres (our house and the rental next door with difficult tenants). After a devastating forest fire up in the mountains three years ago, we faced flooding that damaged both properties and cost us thousands to cleanup—none of it covered by insurance. The house always had something that needed fixing. Our to-do list felt endless.
So this spring, we made a decision that felt both terrifying and absolutely right: we put both houses on the market.
The entire summer became one long, exhausting sprint with no time to make art, my studio packed up and in storage. We tackled that endless to-do list, prepared both homes for sale, and somehow managed to sell them both in September. On September 23rd, we moved into our dream home—a brand new place with a small, low-maintenance yard, tucked into the trees but just minutes from everything I love.
But wait, it gets better. Right after moving in, barely unpacked, I packed up my art supplies and drove to Ridgway, Colorado. My dear friend and amazing artist Kellie Day had asked me to co-host her 5-day art retreat, and I wasn't about to miss it. Thirteen incredible women from across the country. Five days of painting, hiking, yoga, and soaking in hot springs surrounded by mountains. It was pure magic.
Amazing hiking with the group in Ouray, Colorado.
Now I'm settled into my new studio—bright, peaceful, and just minutes from the gallery. No more thirty-minute commute draining my energy. No more missing First Friday because I dreaded the drive home. No more to-do lists hanging over my head.
I’m settling into my new studio space and loving it!
At 60, I'm learning something powerful: it's never too late to choose what lights you up. To let go of what drains you, even when it looks "fine" to everyone else. To trust that the life you're craving is worth the upheaval it takes to get there.
Sometimes we hold onto things because we've invested so much. But what if the real investment is in our joy? Our energy? Our ability to show up fully for the life we want to live?
I'm living proof that starting over at 60 isn't just possible—it's absolutely worth it.
What are you holding onto that's draining your light? What would it feel like to let it go and move toward what truly makes you come alive?
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About Ruth Austin
Ruth Austin is a professional artist based in Flagstaff, Arizona, specializing in vibrant, whimsical paintings inspired by nature. Her work is available as original pieces at The Artists' Gallery in downtown Flagstaff and as high-quality prints online at ruthaustinart.com.
