Bachelor Happy Hour: “Self-Care, Redefined | Golden Hour”

Podcast: Bachelor Happy Hour
Hosts: Susan and Kathy
Release Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this “Golden Hour” edition of Bachelor Happy Hour, co-hosts Susan and Kathy dive deep into the evolving definition of self-care as they age. With candid, energetic banter and decades of friendship, they reflect on the importance of self-care in their golden years, how it differs from their younger days, and discuss everything from skincare routines and the pressures of aging to the role of beauty treatments, exercise, and fashion. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating self-care beyond the basics and wanting a real, relatable perspective—especially women over 50.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Does Self-Care Mean Now?

[04:44 – 06:50]

• Susan: Self-care is taking the time to treat her body well—facials, pedicures, even simply washing her face at night.
• Kathy: Broader definition: “Doing things for myself without feeling guilt, without the feeling that I should be doing something for someone else.” She acknowledges that, with age, self-care must be an intentional choice rather than something fit in last-minute.

Notable Quote:

“Self-care for me is taking an hour out to sit down and read a book or... needlepoint. I know I need to run an errand, but you know what, I’m gonna sit down and needlepoint for an hour.” – Kathy [08:01]

2. Self-Care: Younger Days vs. Golden Years

[06:50 – 10:10]

• Susan: Needed less self-care when younger; now it’s more complex (red light therapy, moisturizing, more beauty routines).
• Both: Recall that when raising families, self-care was relegated to the very end of the day, if it happened at all. Now, with grown children and more flexible time, they can prioritize themselves.

Notable Quote:

“When I had kids at home, I was the last person on the totem pole. My kids came first, then was my husband… doing something just for me wasn’t a thing.” – Kathy [09:21]

3. Common Self-Care Neglect in Golden Years

[10:10 – 11:38], [17:22 – 17:57]

• Physical Health: Many Goldens neglect physical fitness or make excuses for not working out.
• Small Acts: Even things like taking off makeup before bed or using basic skincare fall by the wayside due to fatigue or busy schedules.

Notable Moment:
Kathy prioritizes her gym workout despite a hectic day:

“I drove the half hour to the gym, I worked out for an hour… That is self-care… Something else will have to go. I’m not going to cook today.” – Kathy [11:15]

4. The Evolution and Realities of Skincare

[17:57 – 23:59]

• Sunscreen is Crucial: Both hosts reiterate sunscreen is the biggest anti-aging weapon.
• Routine: Cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing come up as ways they try to take care, with Kathy joking, "If you aren’t using sunscreen, go back to start…"
• Real Talk: They admit sometimes they’re too tired for the full routine, with Susan setting up her nightstand to apply creams in bed for maximum convenience.

Notable Quote:

“You’re not going to escape [aging]. None of us are… accept it and take it with grace… But you can delay the negative effects.” – Kathy [21:49]

5. Exercise & Physical Changes with Age

[24:01 – 27:09]

• Body Changes: Both hosts humorously describe “shar pei” backs and wish for mythical full-body skin-tightening devices.
• Exercise: Kathy, once 200 lbs, is now passionate about weights and fitness; Susan notes everyone loses muscle and strength with age, making fitness even more vital.

Notable Quote:

“We lose muscle mass as we get older. Lifting weights just slows down the process. But you lose—the older you get, the faster you lose strength.” – Kathy [26:22]

6. Cosmetic Procedures: Trends, Opinions, and Transparency

[32:32 – 38:53]

• Popular Procedures: Facelifts, eyelids, laser treatments, microneedling, Botox, fillers.
• Personal Stories: Kathy got Botox at 52—her daughter judged her, but now does it too. Both have had lower facelifts.
• Philosophy: Procedures are a personal choice; never do them for a man or anyone else. Confidence and happiness should be the goal.

Notable Quotes:

“Do whatever cosmetic procedure you want that will make you feel better. I don’t think the age matters. I think you gotta remember...it’s not going to change your personality or find you a husband.” – Kathy [37:40]
“When you’re ready, when you feel like it’s something you want for yourself.” – Kathy, on when to do cosmetic procedures [36:29]

7. Fashion as Self-Care

[39:00 – 44:14]

• Fashion Evolution: Susan is trend-driven; Kathy is more classic (plaids, preppy New England style). Fashion is now about dressing for oneself, not what’s “in.”
• Guilt and Priorities: Many women, Kathy included, feel guilty buying clothes for themselves, preferring to shop for grandkids or children—but Susan insists: “You worked all your damn life! Spend a little on yourself.”

8. Shoe “Disasters” and Closet Cleanouts

[44:14 – 45:41]

• Honest (and hilarious) gripes about comfortable but hideous shoes worn for practicality in later years.
• The cycle of accumulating too many shoes, then (sometimes) managing to organize or donate pairs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On redefining self-care:
  “Self-care for me is... doing things for myself without feeling guilt.” – Kathy [05:36]
• On sunscreen:
  “If you aren’t using sunscreen, go back to start. Do not collect $200. Go to jail. You have got to use sunscreen!” – Kathy [18:26]
• On cosmetic procedures:
  “It’s news flash—even at Golden’s or anyone else, if you get a facelift, you still have to do Botox. It’s not a complete fix.” – Kathy [34:42]
• On style freedom:
  “Why not dress to be not just in style, but for you? What do you feel good in? I don’t care if they don’t wear those anymore. I like them. I’m rocking them.” – Susan [39:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:44–06:50| Defining self-care for golden years | | 06:50–10:10| Self-care as young moms compared to now | | 10:10–11:38| Physical self-care most neglected (exercise, health) | | 17:22–17:57| Beauty neglect: not taking off makeup, real talk | | 17:57–23:59| Skincare musts: sunscreen, routines, aging truths | | 24:01–27:09| Physical changes and exercise challenges with age | | 32:32–38:53| Cosmetic procedures: what’s popular, opinions, PSA | | 39:00–44:14| Fashion in later years: trends, guilt, style for self | | 44:14–45:41| Shoes, closet purges, and shoe obsessions |

Conclusion

In this frank, humorous, and insightful episode, Susan and Kathy redefine self-care for women in their golden years—championing everything from massages and red light masks to weight-training, facials, Botox (or not), late-night skincare shortcuts, and unapologetic shopping for self. The takeaway: Self-care is a deeply personal act, shaped by age, experience, and priorities—with no guilt required.

“We could do a whole month of self-care episodes.” – Kathy [44:35]

Want more?
Listeners are invited to write in with questions and suggestions for future topics at bachelornation.com/goldenhour or via Bachelor Happy Hour’s social channels.

This summary covers all key points and quotes—the good, the real, and the glam—from the December 18, 2025, episode of Bachelor Happy Hour’s Golden Hour.