"I don’t know that I feel 'old,' or 'young,' but I will say that I feel relatively healthy, and as curious, powerful, visible, and relevant as ever, and leave it at that."
There is so much goodness here (No surprise. I've followed Karen for awhile and she just knows what's up.), but my favorite part is her making the distinction between aging and stress. That we can't avoid aging, but that we can constructively address stress and strive to be radiant. Amen to that! And Karen is a real inspiration in that regard. She IS absolutely radiant.
Sari, this has been one of my favorite questionnaires/interviews yet! "Radiance"....what a lovely concept. This distinction between stress and aging is profound, and it kind of blew my mind. I turn 62 next month and it feels like a big age—bigger than others in so many ways—but really, it's mostly that this last year has been enormously stressful with a big move and many losses. I can see after reading this that my radiance light has dimmed, much more than I have aged. I'm going to set about fixing that! Inspiring read. Thank you to you both.
This may be the single best interview of all the fine interviews published here. So much to think about. Plus, I am predisposed to love a woman who wroteTWO books with joy in the title. Joy is my favorite word. Favorite thing to strive for. One can find joy in tiny things, every day. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you for sharing this joyful interview! Reading it meant a lot to me. I am 35 years old, a lawyer, an eldest daughter of a Puerto Rican mother and a white father, and contorting and worrying are familiar grounds. So I loved the reminder that this helps no one! And that we have agency in defining the many things we are. Growing older has certainly helped me, and Karen Walrond has me excited about whatever lies ahead.
This was a wonderful interview--it inspired me to order Karen's new book--and I suspect I'll be ordering some additional copies for my friends who are turning 60 this year.
Precious wisdom and magical advise, indeed! Recently while reading Karen's book, Radiant Rebellion, (with lots of highlighted passages) I uncovered so much self love, aging validation and joy through her amazing work. Also, I love the bit about raising a little hell because it reminds me to rise up and be comfortable in my convictions, with my silver hair and all :)
Karen's responses are so life-giving! Our world would be a much better place if we had the curiosity and self-compassion that she has. I'm feeling so inspired by her wisdom and joy!
That was one awesome read. Tomorrow, Feb 23rd I turn 67. Reading this has challenged how I think about and have thought about and used the word 'old' as a synonym for bad, or stupid or past it. And that used about myself. The delightful words and stories here in this read will have me turning 67 a tad different in my thoughts about age. Thank you so much for these interviews, and thank you Karen Walrond. Brilliant!
Why do I feel 10 times more beautiful, and yes! *radiant* after reading this? Thank you for sharing your empowering, compassionate insights and perspective, Karen Walrond. I want to nurture myself on some more. So glad you wrote a book! ❤️
One of the highlights of going to my first Erma Bombeck Writers' conference was having the opportunity to speak to Karen for a few glorious minutes face to face (after an amazing workshop on the Lightmaker's Manifesto!) I could hear her speaking throughout this interview and it reminded me of how generous she was with her time and experience. Also I loved the reference to the call-out by Ashton Applewhite (whose work I'll go find after I finish this comment!) I love the ways the layers of what we've always thought and believed get peeled back when we least expect it. It's like getting a gentle little tutorial about complacency. Thank you so much for this!
This reminds me of when Maya was in her 80’s and Oprah asked Maya what it was like being her 80’s? And Maya smiled and said “If you get the chance, do it!” And I freaking LOVE Karen Walrond! What a treasure. She has that clear eyed view of the world as a photographer/artist/scolar/ Black woman who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to speak up. Yes, to all this goodness. 💞 And happy Black History month Karen!
There is so much goodness here (No surprise. I've followed Karen for awhile and she just knows what's up.), but my favorite part is her making the distinction between aging and stress. That we can't avoid aging, but that we can constructively address stress and strive to be radiant. Amen to that! And Karen is a real inspiration in that regard. She IS absolutely radiant.
Sari, this has been one of my favorite questionnaires/interviews yet! "Radiance"....what a lovely concept. This distinction between stress and aging is profound, and it kind of blew my mind. I turn 62 next month and it feels like a big age—bigger than others in so many ways—but really, it's mostly that this last year has been enormously stressful with a big move and many losses. I can see after reading this that my radiance light has dimmed, much more than I have aged. I'm going to set about fixing that! Inspiring read. Thank you to you both.
This may be the single best interview of all the fine interviews published here. So much to think about. Plus, I am predisposed to love a woman who wroteTWO books with joy in the title. Joy is my favorite word. Favorite thing to strive for. One can find joy in tiny things, every day. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you for sharing this joyful interview! Reading it meant a lot to me. I am 35 years old, a lawyer, an eldest daughter of a Puerto Rican mother and a white father, and contorting and worrying are familiar grounds. So I loved the reminder that this helps no one! And that we have agency in defining the many things we are. Growing older has certainly helped me, and Karen Walrond has me excited about whatever lies ahead.
This was a wonderful interview--it inspired me to order Karen's new book--and I suspect I'll be ordering some additional copies for my friends who are turning 60 this year.
Precious wisdom and magical advise, indeed! Recently while reading Karen's book, Radiant Rebellion, (with lots of highlighted passages) I uncovered so much self love, aging validation and joy through her amazing work. Also, I love the bit about raising a little hell because it reminds me to rise up and be comfortable in my convictions, with my silver hair and all :)
Karen's responses are so life-giving! Our world would be a much better place if we had the curiosity and self-compassion that she has. I'm feeling so inspired by her wisdom and joy!
So many nuggets of knowledge and wisdom here. Her confidence and self-assuredness that comes with age really comes through. Great interview!
That was one awesome read. Tomorrow, Feb 23rd I turn 67. Reading this has challenged how I think about and have thought about and used the word 'old' as a synonym for bad, or stupid or past it. And that used about myself. The delightful words and stories here in this read will have me turning 67 a tad different in my thoughts about age. Thank you so much for these interviews, and thank you Karen Walrond. Brilliant!
Why do I feel 10 times more beautiful, and yes! *radiant* after reading this? Thank you for sharing your empowering, compassionate insights and perspective, Karen Walrond. I want to nurture myself on some more. So glad you wrote a book! ❤️
Love this, and the book is phenomenal!
always inspiring— i am privileged to know this radiant human irl, she is magical! 💕💖
Inspiring, and so wise!
One of the highlights of going to my first Erma Bombeck Writers' conference was having the opportunity to speak to Karen for a few glorious minutes face to face (after an amazing workshop on the Lightmaker's Manifesto!) I could hear her speaking throughout this interview and it reminded me of how generous she was with her time and experience. Also I loved the reference to the call-out by Ashton Applewhite (whose work I'll go find after I finish this comment!) I love the ways the layers of what we've always thought and believed get peeled back when we least expect it. It's like getting a gentle little tutorial about complacency. Thank you so much for this!
Wow, I'm so glad to learn about Karen. I've ordered her book. I wish she lived next door :-)
This reminds me of when Maya was in her 80’s and Oprah asked Maya what it was like being her 80’s? And Maya smiled and said “If you get the chance, do it!” And I freaking LOVE Karen Walrond! What a treasure. She has that clear eyed view of the world as a photographer/artist/scolar/ Black woman who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to speak up. Yes, to all this goodness. 💞 And happy Black History month Karen!