Meet Celena

Discover Celena’s incredible journey from loss to leadership

“Confidence has never been an issue for me.”

I am so grateful for the opportunity to model your gorgeous swimwear. For me, confidence was not an issue as with a background in business development, marketing, events, celebrant, public speaking, I am used to be photographed as well as standing up in front of many people. In 2019 I was recognized and awarded a Sunshine Coast Senior Leadership Award – in recognition of previous years in initiating the establishment and structure of Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network, and running a women’s retiree group.

“Losing him, just as I turned 66, was heartbreaking.”

But that was in my past. A life where I felt dynamic, a leader, initiating and identifying opportunities for businesses as well as conducted many ceremonies as a celebrant. However, my life was irrevocably changed when my husband of nearly 50 years, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He struggled for a few months and when he passed I had only just turned 66 years old. To lose your husband in the middle of your ‘younger’ retirement years was just devastating and hard to come to terms with. For the first 9 months, I would cry every day, and only go out to walk a little Cavoodle I adopted, or a quick dash to get groceries. After nearly 50 years together, everyday was surreal, I felt so fragile, vulnerable and when I looked into the mirror I saw a sad and old looking woman. Waves of grief and tears would come at any time, sleeping was hard and cooking for one was too hard for the first couple of years.  I had to learn to turn loneliness to solitude and learning to not only fill those hours, especially from 4pm onwards, from sadness, depression and aloneness to ones where I felt OK with my company.  Engaging mind coaches for support and learning NLP and how you can change the pathways of thinking, my art, listening to Podcasts and time with family, particularly my young grandchildren , all contributed to helping me to help myself. I was determined to regain my mental and physical health. Grief never disappears, sadness and loneliness are still a part of my life, but I am stronger and now loving life and always looking for opportunities of new experiences and friendships.

“I longed for companionship and a community that understood my experience.”

Since then I have spoken to many widows, and we all share the same thoughts of how do we go on, how do we travel again, how do we go out for dinner, walks, etc. Your whole life as a couple is suddenly gone. I struggled and tried attending some single groups but I just couldn’t find my tribe. Women who understood, and who were also looking to develop friends, who they might be able to go out or away with, to laugh with, to restart a new life.

“It’s been a reminder that life doesn’t stop and that fun, laughter, and confidence can still be found at any age.”

So I started a facebook group “Sunshine Coast SOLO Baby Boomer Women’s Group, so I could not only meet single women but likeminded women in my age group. The first lunch I had 3 attend, then 5 and then amazingly watched as the number of members escalated. Currently there are around 460 women, who meet up throughout the coast with many friendships made, and travel buddies for Australia and overseas travel. Women have commented on appreciating how they now have a reason to put on make up and dress up.

“I hope my journey can inspire other women – especially widows and those in my age group – to try new things.”

I also appreciated the opportunity to be, I hope, an inspiration to other unexpected widows and divorced women in the baby boomer age range. Life can go on. You can laugh again. Equally, at my age, now nudging 70 years, mature aged females seem to become invisible. We are often overlooked when standing waiting to be served in a shop or hotel and been short as well as obviously mature age, I can wait a long time unless I speak up.

“Thank you again for the opportunity to feel alive, be ‘seen,’ and laugh.”

So here I was, on the beach – I don’t think anyone was watching as I changed swimwear outfits. Me, modeling swimwear, mature aged, lots of wrinkles – everywhere, sagging skin, varicose veins, of my gosh, but I didn’t care. I wanted to just have fun and enjoy the opportunity. And hopefully for my grand daughters to be inspired to try new things, not to be afraid.

I loved the outfits also, the colours, the softness, designs and fit. I plan to wear some of the pants to gym sessions. Of course I was always going to be attracted to the more colourful outfits as I am a creative and paint multi media and water colour art, as well as some slow stitching of cards and organic textured weaving.