I’m Lyn Slater AKA as Accidental Icon, reformed social media influencer, writer, activist, social worker, former professor and someone who’s just an ordinary woman with an interesting life. I’ve written a book called, “How To Be Old”, coming Fall 2023 from Dutton/Plume.
I love everything you are planning for this new year Lyn. The book can’t come soon enough for me (God willing, this is the year l become an octogenarian - rather scary!). I bought a new tuxedo and shoes with glittery heels for my Christmas present - I’m ready to dance - if my back doesn’t give out, and to start some serious traveling again. Why a tux? I refuse to cruise with ball gowns in my luggage - I mean come on those trips are holidays! If a tux is good enough for hubby it’s good enough for me.
I love reading your response. I’m also going to be 70 this year and own a tux 😎. I bought one almost 20 years ago: it’s timeless and always feels just right. I added a couple years ago is a classic black sleeveless jumpsuit for similar events in warmer weather. Happy upcoming birthday
I look forward to reading your posts on How to Be Old as well as the thoughts of your readers.
The topic resonates since I am growing older and seeking wisdom about it.
It occurred to me on this New Year 2023, that aging could viewed as ripening rather than demeaned as a death spiral to be feared.That thought made me smile and I hope it does you too. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Like any other time of life there are opportunities and challenges, positive and negative events. When you’re old you have more experience and skills to bring to the problem-solving.
there really is so little written about how to old - I am looking forward to your book. In many ways we are the first generation in the workforce (en masse) and the first to experience what it means to move from a career to a new chapter. Having just semi-retired, it is a significant transition to negotiate.
Great to hear your path has taken this direction, Lyn!
Reinventing myself and my life on numerous occasions in the past was just confusing, demoralizing, and exhausting. It took til my late 50’s to realize it is a necessary, and welcome, part of a life well lived.
Agreeing that refusing invisibility is a worthy pursuit for we elders, I am enjoying this era of life when I no longer feel obligated to put it out there for others or society. Rather, I choose when to shine and when to fade into the background, and find I am far less exhausted as a result. Loving where you are going, honoring where you've been.
I “accidentally “ fell upon this and I know nothing much about you but somehow your words I just read resonated with me as I start this new year. I’ll add you to my list of inspirational reads .. all best with your new outlook and format !
Look forward to your weekly postings.
Here’s to 2023 and forging ahead with all that life has to bring!
I am so glad you chose that route. I stopped following you when you started promoting "stuff" (quite a while ago now). I realize that I am "unsubscribing" from a lot of bloggers/youtubers when they become very successful and half of their content is advertisement....I am still interested in fashion but in a more minimalist way: becoming more creative with less. I am learning how to be old and enjoy every minute of it!!! free at last!!!
Thanks! It’s very seductive because it is a lot of money, far more than I ever made as a social worker and professor and it’s also very fast with no time to think.
I really understand the financial need to do advertisement but it seemed at the time that the products you chose were not representative of you but chosen at random ( I could be totally wrong!)
That is a very interesting observation. From 2014-2015 I still maintained my full-time job as a professor and academic. I retired after 20 years of teaching. Looking back that is where I began to lose my perspective. I’ve written about my scarcity view of money before and I think that got triggered. The pandemic also limited the kinds of products that were being funded. Since folks were home sponsored fashion brand posts fell by the wayside. There was no more travel to Paris or other fashion shows. The result was beauty products, home goods and other things that were not what I was really into, were the only way to make money. So yes indeed your comment was spot on.
oops! one more thing...i love the photograph. there's irony (?) in your baggy shirt vs calvin's abs which could not go unnoticed;). you share that wonderful light. happy new year!
I love that you’re moving things to the Substack neighborhood; a place I already choose to read meaningful and inspiring content. You speak from the heart and often seem to nail what’s in mine. Wishing you a beautiful new year and chapter!
I love everything you are planning for this new year Lyn. The book can’t come soon enough for me (God willing, this is the year l become an octogenarian - rather scary!). I bought a new tuxedo and shoes with glittery heels for my Christmas present - I’m ready to dance - if my back doesn’t give out, and to start some serious traveling again. Why a tux? I refuse to cruise with ball gowns in my luggage - I mean come on those trips are holidays! If a tux is good enough for hubby it’s good enough for me.
Happy New Year to you and Calvin.
I love reading your response. I’m also going to be 70 this year and own a tux 😎. I bought one almost 20 years ago: it’s timeless and always feels just right. I added a couple years ago is a classic black sleeveless jumpsuit for similar events in warmer weather. Happy upcoming birthday
Love the tux and let’s get to dancing!
I'm 65 and I want a tux.
An auspicious occasion to reframe, recommit to intention and increase joy. Thanks for the inspiration and community!
Thank you for being part of it!
Bravo you, Lyn!
I look forward to reading your posts on How to Be Old as well as the thoughts of your readers.
The topic resonates since I am growing older and seeking wisdom about it.
It occurred to me on this New Year 2023, that aging could viewed as ripening rather than demeaned as a death spiral to be feared.That thought made me smile and I hope it does you too. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Like any other time of life there are opportunities and challenges, positive and negative events. When you’re old you have more experience and skills to bring to the problem-solving.
there really is so little written about how to old - I am looking forward to your book. In many ways we are the first generation in the workforce (en masse) and the first to experience what it means to move from a career to a new chapter. Having just semi-retired, it is a significant transition to negotiate.
Completely agree! We are breaking new ground and what an exciting opportunity to re-invent what it means to be old.
Great to hear your path has taken this direction, Lyn!
Reinventing myself and my life on numerous occasions in the past was just confusing, demoralizing, and exhausting. It took til my late 50’s to realize it is a necessary, and welcome, part of a life well lived.
Doing it on the daily.
So happy to be a part of this.
Wise words, as long as you are reinventing you are moving forward.
Agreeing that refusing invisibility is a worthy pursuit for we elders, I am enjoying this era of life when I no longer feel obligated to put it out there for others or society. Rather, I choose when to shine and when to fade into the background, and find I am far less exhausted as a result. Loving where you are going, honoring where you've been.
Perfectly put…we have choices.
Happy that my first steps into substack are via the Accidental Icon blog. Thank you for the lovely writing it always is a welcome notice in my inbox.
Thank you!
I “accidentally “ fell upon this and I know nothing much about you but somehow your words I just read resonated with me as I start this new year. I’ll add you to my list of inspirational reads .. all best with your new outlook and format !
Look forward to your weekly postings.
Here’s to 2023 and forging ahead with all that life has to bring!
Welcome! I am blessed to have a great community which you will benefit from too.
Thank you for your reminder to occasionally reframe our lives. Structural frameworks always need to be revisited after personal AhHa moments.
Indeed!
I love the ‘line between rebellion and convention’. Especially because you have to. It’s real!
Always negotiating especially as a woman. Great article about this very thing in the NYT today by Jessica Grose.
I am so glad you chose that route. I stopped following you when you started promoting "stuff" (quite a while ago now). I realize that I am "unsubscribing" from a lot of bloggers/youtubers when they become very successful and half of their content is advertisement....I am still interested in fashion but in a more minimalist way: becoming more creative with less. I am learning how to be old and enjoy every minute of it!!! free at last!!!
Thanks! It’s very seductive because it is a lot of money, far more than I ever made as a social worker and professor and it’s also very fast with no time to think.
I really understand the financial need to do advertisement but it seemed at the time that the products you chose were not representative of you but chosen at random ( I could be totally wrong!)
That is a very interesting observation. From 2014-2015 I still maintained my full-time job as a professor and academic. I retired after 20 years of teaching. Looking back that is where I began to lose my perspective. I’ve written about my scarcity view of money before and I think that got triggered. The pandemic also limited the kinds of products that were being funded. Since folks were home sponsored fashion brand posts fell by the wayside. There was no more travel to Paris or other fashion shows. The result was beauty products, home goods and other things that were not what I was really into, were the only way to make money. So yes indeed your comment was spot on.
Sorry, I feel now that I was very insensitive in my comments....
oops! one more thing...i love the photograph. there's irony (?) in your baggy shirt vs calvin's abs which could not go unnoticed;). you share that wonderful light. happy new year!
Ha love that observation!
I love that you’re moving things to the Substack neighborhood; a place I already choose to read meaningful and inspiring content. You speak from the heart and often seem to nail what’s in mine. Wishing you a beautiful new year and chapter!
Thank you! I’m very happy to be here!
Here's to your/our shining Light~ Happy New Year
To us!
Bravo, Lyn! Best of luck on Substack. You have influenced me in many ways, mostly in breaking rules about what one should do/wear once over 40. Yay!
New territory, open for us to design.
Happy 2023!
Can’t wait to read your upcoming essays. I think I kind of lost sight of who I am too.
Happy to have companionship on the journey back to self.