When Less Is More

Does Your Brain Have A Off Switch

April 24, 2025

Hello there fellow Ageless!

As we celebrate National Library Day—commemorating the founding of the Library of Congress—we're exploring life's essential question: what belongs in your carefully curated collection, and what should be left on the shelf? Like a wise librarian, discernment becomes our superpower in this stage of life. We're questioning if another medical test truly serves our wellbeing. We're contemplating whether cryptocurrency deserves space in our retirement portfolio or if it's too much financial adventure for our peace of mind. We're uncovering why our best intentions for new projects often fizzle out despite our enthusiasm. And we're embracing joy without seeking permission as our generation rewrites the narrative of aging. This week, we're celebrating the art of thoughtful curation across health, wealth, mindset, and social expectations—because like any masterful library, a vibrant life isn't measured by quantity alone, but by the quality of what we choose to keep.

🏋️‍♂️ Vibrant Living: Empowering Your Health and Wellness

Too Much of a Good Thing: Remember when we considered "more" to be better in healthcare? That conventional wisdom is being turned on its head by research showing that excessive medical care often harms us as we mature. Studies reveal many women undergo unnecessary screenings, with research suggesting one in five tests aren’t needed. Surprisingly, many continue these screenings out of habit or perceived moral obligation. Additionally, women are overtreated for common conditions, and prescribed medications that no longer serve them well. These well-intentioned interventions frequently lead to cascading complications—from painful follow-up procedures to medication side effects that diminish quality of life. What your doctor might not tell you: many routine tests and aggressive treatment approaches can cause more harm than good as our bodies change with age.

Moderation isn't about denying necessary treatment—it's about intelligent, age-appropriate care tailored to our evolving needs. Screening guidelines evolve as we age, with experts suggesting modifications based on personal health history rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, breast health screenings, cancer testing, diabetes management targets, and cardiovascular protocols all have different risk-benefit profiles as we move through different life stages. Medical standards are beginning to recognize that "less" treatment often delivers better outcomes, with new provider alert systems already reducing unnecessary testing by up to 9%. This shift doesn't mean abandoning healthcare—key preventive measures remain vital, but should be personalized.

Taking charge of your medical decisions is critical in today’s healthcare system. By asking thoughtful questions you can transform potential medical overwhelm into an empowering health journey. This is especially vital since many providers lack specialized training in midlife and mature women’s health. Before agreeing to any test, ask: "How will this change my treatment plan?", "What are the potential harms?", and "Is this recommended for someone with my specific health history?" Consider "deprescribing"—asking which medications you might safely discontinue as supported by recent research that shows patient-centered approaches reduce unnecessary medications and improve outcomes. Bring written questions to appointments and consider having an advocate join you. Remember that you have the legal right to decline any procedure or request time to consider options. Healthcare isn't about extending life at all costs—it's about maintaining independence, dignity, and joy. Sometimes the most empowering decision is saying "no" to interventions that add little value but significant burden to your vibrant years ahead.

💰 Wealth Wisdom: Securing Your Financial Future

A Risk You Might Regret: Have you been wondering if your retirement portfolio needs some Bitcoin? Has a family member hinted you're "missing out" on crypto profits? You're not alone. Last December, we talked about cryptocurrency—that giant unchangeable neighborhood bulletin board, remember? Now with Bitcoin hitting record highs above $80,000 in early 2025, it's worth asking: should this digital darling have a place in your retirement savings? As tempting as it sounds to "diversify into the future," financial experts have serious reservations. Why? Because volatility is crypto's middle name. In 2022 alone, Bitcoin lost nearly 65% of its value, followed by a strong rebound in 2023. Then in 2024, Bitcoin more than doubled, rocketing from $40,000 to over $100,000 by year’s end. For women over 50, this kind of financial rollercoaster isn't just stressful—it's a direct threat to stability.

Adding to the risk, crypto is a playground for scammers. In 2023, the FBI reported that crypto investment scams cost Americans over $5.6 billion, a 45% increase from the year before. The trend continued into 2024, with losses hitting $5.7 billion with cryptocurrency being the primary payment method of fraudsters . And let's not forget estate planning—digital wallets and private keys can vanish without a trace if not properly documented, leaving heirs locked out of their inheritance. Compare that to a traditional retirement account with clear records, legal protections, and oversight. Financial planners typically recommend keeping no more than 1% to 2% of your portfolio in speculative assets like crypto—if you invest at all . Those who advocate for it still suggest conservative limits, between 2% and 8% based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

So, should you skip crypto entirely? Not necessarily. If you're curious and want to try a small amount you can afford to lose, go for it—but think of it as financial "fun money," not your retirement plan. Safer options, like Bitcoin ETFs, offer regulated exposure without managing your own digital wallet. Some investors consider Bitcoin IRAs, but these come with higher fees and added complexity. Crypto trades are taxable too, and tracking them can get messy, especially outside a traditional brokerage. Even some pension funds have dipped a toe into Bitcoin ETFs—though critics still warn about volatility. More importantly, you're not behind because you didn't jump into Bitcoin years ago. While Bitcoin may have doubled in 2024, its price swings would keep most retirement planners up at night. Smart investing isn't about chasing trends—it's about matching your money to your goals, timeline, and tolerance for risk. In the end, your greatest financial asset isn't Bitcoin, it's your wisdom, patience, and ability to think long-term—qualities no blockchain can ever replace.

🧠 Lifelong Learning And Brain Boosts

Motivation’s Secret Saboteur: For many women over 50, it’s a familiar cycle: you dive into a new hobby, health routine, or creative project—only to abandon it weeks later. New research points to a surprising biological culprit: a tiny brain region called the habenula. This tiny structure acts as a motivation kill switch, activating with even minor setbacks. For our generation, it’s sneakier—amplified by decades of shoulds and shouldn’ts. Scientists now believe the habenula plays a key role in how we learn from negative experiences—flagging even small disappointments as “important,” which helps us adapt but can also make setbacks feel bigger than they are. When activated, the habenula doesn’t just stall motivation—it’s been linked to disrupted sleep, lowered serotonin levels, and even symptoms of depression and anxiety. No wonder even a small setback can feel so big. This little brain region floods us with discouragement, whispering, “Why bother?”

But here’s where our life experience becomes a superpower. Instead of setting rigid goals that trigger the motivation killer, scientists recommend an “iterative approach”—treating new ventures as flexible experiments, not pass-fail tests. Rather than declaring “I’ll practice yoga every day” (and risking habenula-triggered disappointment), try asking, “What version of movement feels good today?” This approach works beautifully for women at this stage of life—we know when perfectionism turns on us. Instead of aiming for a big, fixed goal, try shrinking it down into bite-sized steps. These reduce your brain’s sense of risk and help keep the motivation circuit open. And as we get better at breaking things down, we also get better at building something bigger. The real freedom now isn’t just about having more time; it’s about having the perspective to work with our brains, not against them.

The women who stay motivated in their 50s, 60s, and beyond aren’t the ones who never face obstacles—they’re the ones who pivot without interpreting change as failure. Can’t manage a running routine because of knee issues? Try water aerobics, walking, or short joyful bursts. If a structured art class doesn’t light you up, explore intuitive creativity—collage, photography, even flower arranging. It’s what behavior scientists call the “know-do gap”—the frustrating space between knowing what’s good for you and actually doing it. It’s not a failure of character; it’s your brain trying to shield you from repeating what didn’t work. The key isn’t willpower—it’s understanding that your brain needs permission to explore rather than perform. And the good news? Studies suggest the habenula’s reactivity can be softened over time through self-compassion, and low pressure repetition and emotional resilience strategies, both of which help retrain the brain‘s response to perceived failure. So the next time motivation fades, don’t blame yourself. Just remind your brain: there are no failures here—only iterations.

Let The Good Times Roll: Let’s face it—baby boomers and older Gen Xers can’t catch a break. If they’re not being blamed for wrecking the housing market, they’re accused of wreaking havoc with wine tastings and music festivals. The Economist recently dubbed them the “new problem generation,” citing rising rates of alcohol use, drug experimentation, and STDs among those over 55. But is this just another round of generational finger-pointing? For the same group that marched for civil rights and shattered glass ceilings, is it really “reckless” to want a little fun after decades of responsibility? Baby boomers have long been defined by their ambition, optimism, civic engagement, and self-sufficiency—traits shaped by a unique post-war upbringing and a lifetime of cultural influence. Maybe the issue isn’t that boomers are misbehaving—it’s that society hasn’t caught up with what aging actually looks like now.

Older adults today aren’t “aging gracefully” by traditional standards—and that’s exactly the point. They’re living longer, often with more personal freedom and financial independence than generations before them. Older Gen Xers aren’t far behind, navigating similar reinvention—often while juggling late-stage careers, caregiving, and their own evolving health needs. They’re also unapologetically active, whether through dating apps, road trips, or yes, cocktails on the patio. But as this demographic reclaims joy and independence, they’re doing it in a world that hasn’t fully adapted to their needs. A 2023 CDC report found that syphilis rates among adults 55+ rose by over 30% in just five years. Substance use is climbing, too, especially among those juggling pain management, caregiving stress, and post-retirement reinvention. These shifts aren’t a moral failure—they’re a wake-up call. Older adults are living longer, bolder lives—and our health systems weren’t designed with that in mind.

So let’s reframe the narrative. Instead of casting boomers as societal scapegoats, what if we recognized them as trailblazers—still leading, still pushing boundaries, still living fully? Yes, some of their behaviors carry risk, but so does change. What they need isn’t ridicule—it’s resources. It’s time for age-inclusive health education, modernized care models, and campaigns that speak to older adults with the same nuance afforded to younger generations. The truth is, many of the freedoms younger people enjoy today were won by boomers—why shouldn’t they enjoy them, too? If this generation is partying more, maybe it’s because they finally can. And if that makes some people uncomfortable, maybe the problem isn’t the party. Maybe it’s the narrative. Because aging isn’t what it used to be—and that’s something to celebrate, not shame.

🔗 The Extras - Fun Stuff We Had to Share

🌿 Sage Reflections

“Your failures are your accomplishments because it makes you prepared for whatever it is that you are going to do next.”

-Lee Daniels

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Loved it! 😍

Liked it. 🙂

Needs improvement! 🛠️