Life after a breakup in your 50s—it’s like spinning the record and discovering a whole new groove. Financial devastation and heartbreak, the kind that makes you want to play the blues and trade the wine glass for a straw in your bottle, because why not have a direct line to the melody of life?

Verse 1: A Playlist of Questions: New Music, apparently

You’re hit with the breakup rap, and suddenly, you’re questioning everything. You’re ready to put out the greatest hits album and they’re over here seeking out a solo deal. Or maybe you saw the writing on the wall and knew that you two were no longer making beautiful music together, either way, now you’re dancing solo and this all seems so foreign like listening to music for the first time because your partner is gone… and yes, those questions in your head are the lyrics to your next song.

Chorus: The Beat Goes On

After the Breakup blues finishes playing in the background, it is ok to take stock of what was but it’s also time for the remix… the beat goes on. Life’s playlist isn’t stuck on repeat. It’s a dynamic mixtape, and you are the DJ so if you want to catch another groove then…you’re about to catch a groove like you never imagined.

First let’s write the new album solo. Shifting your identity to who you want to be now that you’re no longer a We. You know us lesbians once we couple, we stay together and are always together so when we break up it can feel like a weird dance. Showing up to things alone…the Ughhh of it all. You feel like Carrie. They’re all gonna laugh at you.  But unlike Carrie, we’re gonna strut in take over the prom all by ourselves. So, let’s groove on

OWN YOUR FABULOUSNESS

Embarrassment might make you never want to dance again. But there’s no need for us to have guilty feet with no rhythm (George Michael lyrics) I mean who wants to sing about financial woes in their 50’s right when all our friends are retiring. Face it, Darling, it happens to the best of us. Own your fabulousness and write it down and if you must make it rhyme that’s fine but remind yourself that you weren’t always in this position and you won’t always be in this position. Financial setbacks are just detours or shall we say commercials on the radio show of life. Financial setbacks at this age make you feel like you really should have planned better, but the music is already playing so now it’s time to improvise and make this look as if we rehearsed it all along

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The Finance Beat

Time for a financial note check.  Creating an album is a work of balance and creativity. Any artist will tell you, you have to take stock of everything in your world. So as the artists of our new reality we’re going to have to assess where we are. So, check on your assets, debts, and expenses—consider getting the band back together after the duo broke up. Create a budget that allows you to move forward while not falling behind. Keep the tempo and watch the melody develop.

3. Remote Work, The Real Jam:

Working remote really allows you to change from the blues to jazz to pop while still earning. Remember what you do best and explore gigs that match your fabulousness. Be a virtual diva in remote or freelance opportunities. Work from your studio or a coffee shop because who said work can’t be a jam session?

The Small Business Boogie:

Entrepreneurship is like Dancing with the Stars. It’s a lot of work, rehearsing and discipline involved but when you walk away or should I say dance away with the ultimate prize, you will know it was all worth it.  Tapping into small business ventures with a small financial investment but a considerable time investment. Whether you’re offering virtual assistance, tapping into freelance writing, or getting things humming with online tutoring, your skills are a showstopper.

Contract Negotiations

Now that we’re a solo act we’re going to remember what we learned from being in a duo and we won’t be so accommodating financially as we may have been before. Now that doesn’t mean we won’t share credit for all the new songs we’ll write, it just means we won’t be as gullible. One of the least things you can do is listen to the music and learn from it. Heartbreak has valuable lessons to learn from them and incorporate them into the musical that is your new existence.

SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS AND LINKS

1. Virtual Assistance Services:
   • Leverage your organizational and administrative skills to offer virtual assistance services. Provide support in areas such as email management, appointment scheduling, social media management, and basic bookkeeping.
   • Initial Costs: Website domain and hosting, basic business software, marketing materials.
   • Investment Breakdown:
     • Website Domain and Hosting: $50 – $100
     • Business Software (e.g., project management tools): $50 – $100
     • Marketing Materials (business cards, flyers): $50 – $100
   • Use free online resources for skill development and focus on a niche to stand out in the virtual assistant market.
2. Online Tutoring or Coaching:
   • Share your expertise or passion by offering online tutoring or coaching services. This could range from academic subjects to personal development, language learning, or fitness coaching.
   • Initial Costs: Online platform subscription, basic marketing materials, a professional-looking website.
   • Investment Breakdown:
     • Online Platform Subscription (e.g., Zoom, Teachable): $100 – $150
     • Marketing Materials: $50 – $100
     • Website setup (if not using free platforms): $50 – $100
   • Leverage free social media platforms and educational resources to build your credibility.
3. Freelance Writing or Content Creation:
   • If you have a way with words, consider starting a freelance writing business. Offer services such as blog post writing, copywriting, or social media content creation.
   • Initial Costs: Website setup, portfolio creation, basic SEO tools for content optimization.
   • Investment Breakdown:
     • Website Setup: $50 – $100
     • Portfolio Creation: $50 – $100
     • Basic SEO Tools (e.g., keyword research tools): $50 – $100
   • Build a strong online presence by showcasing your writing samples and optimizing your website for search engines.

Let me know in the comments if you want more information on any of these ideas. In the meantime…let the party continue