Carole is a retired 64-year-old wife and mother navigating the next chapter of life. While figuring that out, she keeps busy by reading, hiking, knitting, and braving the ocean a few times a week—year-round!
Where did you grow up, and what did you like or dislike about that place?
I was born and raised in North Toronto, but I left for a year when I was 18 and then moved away permanently at 20. What I loved about Toronto was its multicultural vibe, even though I lived in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.
I loved taking the subway to visit my mom at work—it made me feel like the city was mine to explore. Looking back, I felt safe everywhere I went, even when I ran away as a kid and ended up at the Greyhound bus station downtown (I had to call my mom for directions, and, of course, she came to get me!). Honestly, I can't think of anything I disliked about Toronto while growing up there. It was a great place to be.
What age are you, and what age do you feel?
I’m 64, but I feel like I’m somewhere between my mid-40s and mid-50s. I’m healthier and stronger now than I was in my 40s, even though I had been running regularly since my mid-30s. I feel braver, too—I’m much more likely to say yes to things now than I was when I was younger.
What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Friendly, thoughtful, funny, active, and a loner.
What do you most like to do in your spare time?
I love to putter around the house, read, listen to podcasts, and knit while watching TV. It’s all about the little comforts for me.
What was your first job?
My first job was scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins when I was 14. It only lasted a couple of days before I quit due to harassment from the manager. Luckily, I’ve only worked with amazing, supportive managers since then.
What was the best day of your life?
The best day of my life was when my first child was born. The second-best day? When my second child was born. Being a mom has been the most fulfilling part of my life, even though my boys (now 39 and 36) don’t need me the same way anymore. The fact that they still enjoy spending time with us is the best gift I could ever ask for.
What is your favorite music, and what influenced your musical taste?
My favorite music is soft rock from the '70s since that’s when I was a teenager. But I enjoy a wide range of music, except RAP and opera. My dad used to listen to opera on the radio and sometimes even sing along, which didn’t appeal to me. I don’t like RAP because, to me, it often feels full of swearing and negativity.
What is your favorite color, and where does this show up – in clothing, furniture, flowers?
I used to love green, but now I’m all about purple. However, my real pattern obsession is animal prints, especially tiger stripes. My husband often shakes his head when he catches me eyeing tiger-print clothes, but I’ve definitely toned it down in recent years. That said, I still have a large tiger-print chair (that my husband made for me) where I love to curl up and read.
What is on your nightstand?
On my nightstand, you’ll find a small bowl for my earplugs, a mug with lotions and a night mask, a five-year journal, a book called My Mother’s Story: Gone Too Soon, Atomic Habits, and a Life magazine titled 100 People Who Changed the World.
Any celebrity encounters?
My dad was good friends with Farley Mowat, and one summer when we were kids, we visited his home in Nova Scotia. He had two large black Newfoundland dogs who decided to “rescue” my mom when she was swimming in the ocean. The dogs swam out to bring her back to shore, thinking she was in trouble.
What is your favorite thing to make for dinner?
Eggs! My husband and I have scrambled eggs with veggies in a roll-up for dinner at least once a week, if not more. It's simple and delicious.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell her to take more risks, especially financially. I’d also advise her to eat healthy, exercise, and not obsess over the scale—actually, just throw the scale out! Most importantly, I’d tell her to love herself.
What is something you do every day now that you did not do before you were 45?
I work out every day now (except Sundays), and even then, I often go for a long hike. As a kid, I used to forge notes to get out of gym class, but I started exercising at 25, shortly after my first son was born. It took me a while to find consistency, but at 34, I started running, which I did until I was 52. That’s when I realized my knees needed a break, so now I focus on walking and weightlifting instead.
What is the best thing that happened to you recently?
The best thing? Starting to swim in the ocean twice a week, year-round! It’s been over three years now, and I’ll never stop. Being in the water—whether it’s freezing or not—makes me feel incredible, and I know it’s doing wonders for both my body and mind.
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