Linda Holman-Evans is many things. An adventurer, a successful blogger and Instagrammer, a fashionista, a makeup artist and challenger of conventions. We had the pleasure of catching up with her to find out more ‘Behind The Woman’.
Linda, you have a variety of interests and passions, could you tell us more about how you like to spend your time?
Certainly the last 2 years have had an effect on what I do. Until 2020 I was working in London a couple of days most weeks, now I am here in Cornwall full-time, and life has changed. A Cornish lifestyle always involves being outdoors, whether that is walking the coast path, wandering along a long beach, sailing or swimming or sitting outside a beachside café or bar. It’s easy to eat well, not only are there great restaurants, the food is fresh – whether from a farm or the sea, and that inspires my cooking. And I regularly exercise, at the moment that’s Pilates three times a week as well as lots of walking. At heart though I’m still the fashionista that hung out in Chelsea so my clothes and my style are really important to me and as an ex-makeup artist I love makeup. Fundamentally though my aim is to look my best, be healthy by eating well and exercising regularly, and caring for my skin, my hair and my appearance.
You describe yourself as “not young” – what surprises you most about being the age you are now?
That I’ve got here so fast! Things I did 20 or 30 years ago seem like yesterday, then I wonder, how much time I’ve got left and that freaks me out!
Do you feel your age?
Most of the time no. I like to hang out with younger people and I’m competitive so I’m always determined to do what they do, whether that’s dancing all night or pushing myself in an exercise class or skiing down a black run. If I fail I’m disappointed, but I then have to remind myself I’m not ‘young’!
What do you think would surprise people to know about you?
- I am always the first one up dancing.
- I cannot throw anything straight (ball, stone, stick, javelin, discus, spear, dart,) play any ball game or catch a ball.
What misconceptions do you think people make about later life?
Younger people often assume older people wouldn’t want to do something – so they don’t ask. They should ask…they might be surprised.
What are people missing out on when they make assumptions based on age?
A whole lot of fun! Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you want to hide away. A lot of retired people have a good disposable income, want to regularly eat out, take holidays, buy clothes and accessories and new cars. Yet all too often brands target younger people. And in doing so, they miss out and the consumer misses out. Not only that, people want to keep fit and active and maintain their brain health, this might mean learning something new or redeveloping a skill.
There is also often a feeling of being invisible, being ignored when you’re trying to buy a pint in the pub or not catching the waiter’s eye, or just ‘not being remembered’ by someone to whom you’ve been previously introduced.
For a short period of my life, I fell into that trap, but no more. I’ve never been a ‘shrinking violet’ happy to fade into the background, so I soon realised I needed to show my own authority and step up – and it made me feel a good deal happier and more confident.
[A preview of Linda’s Instagram page.]
If you could change just one misconception about older people, what would it be?
Older people today were kids in the 50s and 60s. That’s a whole different world to the previous generation. They can still go to rock concerts, they can still be active, fashionable. They can do anything they want! They’re not ‘old’ as most people think of it. They can be cool!
How do you think the world has changed for women?
I think they are better respected in the workplace, though I think there is still a long way to go before they have total equality. There are women presidents and leaders, if they want to women can do anything.
What would you do with one day completely free of responsibilities and obligations?
There are so many things I love to do, maybe a spa day with friends, shopping and lunch somewhere, or a long walk along a sandy beach watching the sea and my dog and then having lunch in one of the many local Cornish restaurants.
What is your favourite thing about being the age you are now?
I’m free to do whatever I want and who cares what anyone thinks. Some days I do nothing but I don’t have to feel guilty about it.
What brings you the most joy?
Seeing my family happy, being out in our boat on a sunny calm day – ideally spotting dolphins, standing at the top of an empty ski run and letting myself go, cooking for friends, (with someone else to clean up), or dressing up and eating in a fabulous restaurant.
If you enjoyed this interview, you can find more from Linda on her blog and her social media pages.
You can also share your thoughts with Linda in the comments section below!