Being True to Yourself Doesn’t Mean Staying the Same

At 56, after more than 30 years in education, Dr. Charlotte Garbutt decided it was time to do something completely different. She retrained as a personal stylist and colour analyst and started her own business, not because she had suddenly become someone else, rather she wanted to re-empower herself and try something new. In this conversation, Charlotte and I talk about reinvention, confidence and authenticity, and why being true to yourself doesn't mean staying the same. We challenge the ridiculous idea that women should somehow dress according to their age, and Charlotte shares her thoughts on the damaging messages and insecurities created by those endless “rules” about what women over 40 or 60 should - or shouldn't - wear. We also talk about how clothing and colour can affect how we feel and how we present ourselves, Charlotte's work with trans clients, and the importance of creating a safe space where people can express who they really are. And... if you've ever wondered whether you've left it too late to change direction, Charlotte has a rather good answer: start with what brings you joy, experiment, and give yourself permission to try something different. Because being true to yourself doesn't mean standing still. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.