Karen Clothier

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
The self-confidence, knowledge, and experience I have based on 60 years of life.

DO YOU DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
Yes!

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
Right now!  I feel like I have finally come into my own. I know what I want and what I don’t want. I promised myself this year will be all about me and what brings me joy. I have spent a lot of time taking care of others and doing things for other people, putting them first. Now, it’s my turn to put myself first and love me. I am confident in who I have become and who I am. I know I can do anything I put my mind to, and that’s very empowering.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
My family and my friends bring me endless joy.  I am blessed with the most amazing family.  My circle of friends is made up of truly remarkable women who fill my cup with love and support.  Truly spending time with my family and friends is one of the most important things I do with my time.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
My positive attitude about life and circumstances.  The ability to see the positive in every situation and transition and adapt because of this ability. I may get knocked down by life occasionally, as we all do, but I don’t stay down long and move forward through every situation.  My glass is always half full!!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My daughters.  If I did nothing else right in my life, raising my four daughters to be the strong, amazing, smart, successful, and beautiful women they are is my greatest achievement.  

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Travel is my greatest extravagance, which I don’t get to do too often, making it even more special.  I love to see new places and experience new things.  I went to China for 3 weeks on an incredible tour.  It was the most adventurous I had ever been up to that point.  Then, 2 years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Tahiti and Bora Bora.  It was truly life-changing for me.  I left a piece of my heart in Bora Bora and look forward to returning someday.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My independence. I worked hard to get to where I am today, and don’t take it lightly. Knowing that you can do things for yourself, on your own, when you want to, and how you want to is the most amazing feeling! My other treasure is my sweet dog, Dolly. She is my companion and constant joy. She makes me laugh and always shows me how much she loves me. I could not love and treasure her more.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Bora Bora was a high bucket list item. I’ve never been to a place so beautiful and magical. On a more practical bucket list, I recently bought my home.  Something that I didn’t ever have on a bucket list until 2 years ago when I found myself single again.  It was something I felt I needed to do to get back to me and feel normal again.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
It is being truly content and at peace with my life, where I am now, and knowing I have all I need. Spending time with my precious grandchildren and watching them experience things through their eyes. I know I am blessed and filled with gratitude, which drives my happiness.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
I am a very strong person and resilient. I am a survivor, and failure isn’t an option. I have always had a positive sense of determination in all that I do. Once I set my mind to something, I focus on the goal and don’t quit. If I say I’m going to do something, whether, for someone else or myself, I take pride in making sure I follow through with what I say I will do. I think being true to your word speaks volumes about who you are.  

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
I have had my share of hardships in life, like most people: the deaths of parents, divorce, and loss of friends. I feel that life teaches you lessons through experiences. Hardships have made me become the person I am today at 60. I believe not every day can be a good day, and the bad days remind you how blessed the good days are. To be grateful for all of them. Hardships make us smarter and more mature and give us insight we can’t gain except through difficult times.  It helps me put things that matter into perspective.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Take time for yourself. Nurture yourself. It’s not selfish, it’s healthy. I remind my daughters, who are raising children and working and trying to be everything for everyone, to learn from me. By filling your own cup first, you can fill all the other cups relying on you.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Always be true to you. Don’t discount your inner voice, your intuition. And take time to fill your cup.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.”

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
I value their honesty and their love and support. I could not get through life without my tribe of amazing friends. They are strong, intelligent, successful, and supportive women.  They inspire me every day!

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
I’ve become more self-confident and independent.  I now know how to say “no” to things that don’t fit with my life and my happiness.   I don’t worry about things I cannot change, and that is truly a powerful place to be.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To be less literal.  I take things very literally all the time.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I hope they have peace and the ability to take care of their families abundantly.  I hope they continue to get to live life with all the freedoms we have.