Episode 6: Date Yourself Part 2

I’m Renea, a retired educator turned wine bar conversationalist. This is Conversations Over Wine—where wisdom is poured and stories are shared.

Each week, we slow down, pour a glass, and talk about life’s lessons, aging with intention, and what really matters as we grow older. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s begin.

After recording my last podcast titled: Date Yourself, I realized I had a lot more to say on the topic. As I stated in part 1, this is a topic close to my heart and something I have done often. I have personally seen and experienced the benefits of dating myself and have learned to embrace the solitude of it. Dating yourself allows you to still experience the things you want to do even if no one else is interested, can make it work, or maybe you decide to go alone simply because you want to!

We discussed how it can build confidence, teach you to sit in your own thoughts, and allow to embrace your own opinions and choices without needing to bounce them off another person. It also provides the opportunity to take in a lot more from your surroundings because you are not engaged in conversation with someone.

Dating yourself is very liberating, but does not come with challenges. Let’s get into those today while we sip and savor our wine (or coffee, soda, whatever your pleasure!).

Some of the challenges you might face in dating yourself are:

• Feeling others are judging you
• Feeling lonely
• Finding the time

Don’t forget to dress for the occasion, just as you would if you were on a date with someone else. Train your brain to remember you are just as valuable and worthy of looking your best even while alone!

Closing Toast

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please take a few minutes to like, comment, and download my podcast. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given. Until next time, cheers.

Episode 5: Date Yourself

Today I want to talk about the beauty of dating oneself. You know, the taking yourself on dates, excursions, trips, classes, etc. because you’ve learned to value and enjoy your own company. Today’s episode is not only for single women, you can date yourself even if you are in a relationship. You SHOULD date yourself even if you are in a relationship! I believe it to be a valuable experience no matter your age or relationship status. Let’s discuss the why, how, when, and where and get into it!

• Why should we date ourselves? I believe we should date ourselves for several reasons. One reason is because it helps us to sit in our own thoughts and embrace our own unbiased opinions and decisions, not those bounced off another. I believe it builds confidence as you learn to navigate places and situations on your own. It takes confidence to sit alone in a restaurant, to travel alone locally, or even to another country I also believe it helps reinforce our own value. That our own company can be enough.

• Let’s move on to the how. How do we date ourselves? What does that look like? I can use some of my own examples, and examples I have seen other friends do. Going out to eat is very pleasurable with those you love, but it can also be enjoyable alone. If there is someone I am dying to visit and I just can’t get it work with others, or I just want to go alone, I can and do! I can sit in that restaurant at a table or the bar, and eat and drink what I want. I can eat at my own pace and take in the surroundings.

• Next up is the when of dating yourself. That’s an easy one! My answer to this is anytime it fits your schedule! Maybe you are dying to try a new restaurant but your significant other is out of town, or maybe just doesn’t have the same interest in the place. There’s a great time to go and venture out on your own.

• Last up, is the where of dating yourself. That is truly wide open, just like dating another person. The world is your oyster. Some of the places I have dated myself have included restaurants, bars, movie theaters, hiking and biking trails, gardens, museums, shops, wine tastings, markets, and even travel.
• So, I would encourage you to date yourself any chance you get. It can benefit you in so many ways, it can take you to new places maybe you wouldn’t otherwise go because you know others aren't interested. If all of this seems a bit scary, take it slowly and start small. It might just be going to the library, bookstore, or coffee shop alone. Then, build up the confidence and you will find yourself ready to date yourself in bigger ways, like a solo trip to Italy!

• I hope this chat today resonates with you in some way and will encourage you to take the first step, or if you’ve already been on the journey, maybe it just gives you a smile of understanding.

I hope you enjoyed our conversation over wine today. I know I did.

Closing Toast

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given.If you are enjoying this podcast, please remember to follow, subscribe, and like the videos. I would appreciate all your support as I am getting my podcast on its feet! I also want to share that I now have a YouTube Channel, so please take a moment to follow me on YouTube. You’ll find me under “Conversations Over Wine”. Until next time friends, cheers.

Episode 4: How I Got My Healthiest Body Back

In Episode 4 I discuss how I got my healthiest body back in 2025. We will discuss mid-life challenges and how easy it is to let a few extra pounds sneak up on us. But the good news is…there are sustainable changes we can make to our lifestyle that will help us to be the healthiest version of ourselves.

So pour a glass, settle in, and join me as we begin this journey together.

Show Notes:

Let’s face it friends, putting on a few (or more) extra pounds sure seems to get easier as we age! There are several reasons for that, we can explore that topic more another time, but today I’d like to talk less about the why, and more about what I did when it happened to me. I’d like to share what I did when those extra pounds snuck up on me the last couple of years. I’m no expert, or licensed dietician, but I am someone who has done my share of research on the topic to help get myself back to where I was before. I’m talking about the comfortable weight and size that feels best to me. I bet we all have a happy place in that regard!

• I personally lost around 20 pounds in a 6 month time period
• Used My Fitness Pal to begin tracking my food
• Used an online calculator to calculate my daily calories goal in order to reach desired weight
• Used a food scale for proteins, and other measuring tools to measure my food
• Prioritized protein
• No off limit foods, just off limit quantities…so, I allowed myself to eat what I wanted sometimes, but just not all I wanted. Ex. If I craved a hamburger, I would eat one, but only half and I was full anyway
• 3 meals a day, snack only if I was really hungry, but I tracked snacks too so those calories had to be part of my calorie deficit for the day
• I did not cut out alcohol, but on days I drank, those calories counted and were tracked
• Lots of movement! I walk around 4 miles every morning, and move a lot during the day. I am not very sedentary. I lift weights 3-4 days a week for around 20-30 minutes.
• Prioritized home meals and shop the perimeter of the grocery store where I buy fruit, vegetables, and meats.
• I keep my refrigerator and pantry stocked with the foods I know make my body feel the best.
• I know what makes me feel good and what doesn’t and try my best to remember that when buying foods or eating out.
• The most important aspect of all to me is sustainability. Fad diets, extreme dieting, etc. is not sustainable.

Closing Toast

Thank you for joining me as we sipped, savored, and reflected on this beautiful life we’ve been given.

If you are enjoying this podcast, please remember to follow, subscribe, and like the videos. I would appreciate all your support as I am getting my podcast on its feet! I also want to share that I now have a YouTube Channel, so please take a moment to follow me on YouTube. You’ll find me under “Conversations Over Wine”. Until next time friends, cheers.