AGING ICON

LIVE HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE

Finally, a Law That Says Take It Down.

For too long, victims of digital exploitation, especially those whose images were shared without their consent, have been told to simply deal with it. To live with the shame, the trauma, and the often life-altering consequences of something they never agreed to share. The pain was dismissed, the platforms were silent, and the damage was permanent.

Not anymore.

In a rare and welcome show of bipartisanship, President Trump has signed the “Take It Down Act” into law, marking a turning point in the fight to protect people from digital exploitation. While the headlines might skim the surface, the impact of this law runs deep and it’s about time.

Why This Matters

This law addresses a dark and often overlooked corner of the internet, that being the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and other forms of digital abuse. These are not isolated incidents. They are widespread, damaging, and have been largely ignored by legislation and tech platforms alike, until now.

Victims of digital exploitation often face an impossible battle. Once something is online, it spreads fast and lives forever. The legal recourse has been murky, the reporting process inconsistent, and the emotional toll immeasurable. Careers have been destroyed. Relationships have been lost. Reputations have been irreparably damaged.

This isn’t just about privacy, it’s about human dignity.

What the Law Does

The Take It Down Act aims to hold platforms accountable and provide a pathway for victims to have harmful content removed swiftly and without the burden of navigating a confusing system. It empowers individuals who have been exploited to say “enough” and be heard.

Just as importantly, it sends a message: We see you. We believe you. We’re doing something about it.

A Cultural Shift, Too

The law itself is a huge step, but it also signals something larger and that is a cultural shift in how we treat digital spaces and the people who navigate them. This law won’t fix everything, but it cracks the door open to further protections, better education, and ideally, a future where consent and respect aren’t optional in online interactions.

What You Can Do

If you’ve ever shared something online, this applies to you. If you’ve ever posted a photo, forwarded a video, or commented on someone else’s life, this law is a reminder that behind every screen is a human being with real emotions, real consequences, and real rights.

Let’s raise our standards, not just legally, but morally.

Digital literacy isn’t just for the next generation. It’s for all of us, right now.

We may not be able to reverse the damage already done, but we can build a future where “take it down” isn’t a desperate plea, it’s an immediate, unquestioned action.

PS The Social Media Association has always promoted best practices for ethical and respectful social media use.

You can learn more about their work, and how to become part of the solution, at TheSocialMediaAssociation.com.

May 28, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why I’m Taking Time Off and Why You Should Too

When was the last time you stepped away, not just from your work, but from the noise, the scroll, the meetings, and the million things tugging at your sleeve?

For me, it’s right now. I’m packing my bags for a four-night getaway to Atlantic City, and this time, I’m not sneaking in a single webinar or phone call.

No “just checking in” emails. No multitasking from a hotel desk. Just me, the ocean air, a couple of classic boardwalk strolls, and a head ready to be filled not with noise, but with clarity.

Because here’s what I’ve learned as a successful woman who’s been through a few reinventions (and helped others through theirs): Real growth requires real space.

I’m not talking about a quick lunch break or a Sunday where you half-work while pretending you’re resting. I mean full-on, intentional time off to reflect, reimagine, and reconnect with what matters most.

This is where imagination gets to play again. Where ideas stretch out and breathe. And for me, it’s where I’m going to shape my next-level vision, complete with a fresh elevator pitch and a one-page business plan I can feel in my bones.

Time Away is a Power Move

I know the hustle mindset. I know what it feels like to say, “I’ll rest when I’m done.” But done never comes. There’s always another client, another deadline, another problem to solve. But clarity? That only comes when you pause.

For those of us navigating the later chapters of our careers or choosing to rewrite the story entirely, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. And sometimes, the only way to hear that whisper of what matters is to step away from the shouting.

Creativity Needs Breathing Room

You want fresh ideas? Stop standing in stale air.

When we give ourselves space, magic happens. We remember why we started. We reconnect with our own boldness. And we imagine without borders. I’ve done these enough times to know that when I unplug, I come back reignited and unstoppable. I’m not looking to maintain, I’m here to elevate. And sometimes, that requires a beach, a notebook, and a brain that’s not buzzing with to-dos.

Resetting with Purpose

I’ve committed to clearing my plate before I go. No mental baggage allowed on this trip. That’s part of the ritual too, closing the loops so you can open new ones.

When I return, I want to walk through my door with a crisp, confident introduction that reflects who I am now and not who I was three years ago. I want a one-page business plan that lights me up and leads the way forward. Not just words on paper, but a direction that makes me sit up straighter and walk a little taller.

Aging Isn’t Slowing Down. It’s Leveling Up.

As an Aging Icon, I know what it means to rise again and again. Reinvention isn’t a trend. It’s a strategy. And reflection is the most overlooked tool in the box.

Here’s my advice: take the break. Book the hotel. Leave the laptop closed. Let your imagination ride shotgun. Because when you return, you’ll bring back something bigger than rest. You’ll bring back vision.

And vision is what iconic women are made of.

See you on the other side, refreshed, recalibrated, and ready to roar.

May 14, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment