The actress, 59, tells PEOPLE she is "trying to be more intentional" about saying "no"

NEED TO KNOW

• Garcelle Beauvais revealed to PEOPLE how establishing “boundaries” is her form of self-care
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum also spoke about soon entering a new chapter as an empty nester
• Beauvais stars in the Lifetime movie Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love

Garcelle Beauvais says she's embracing a new form of self-care: establishing "boundaries" in her life.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 59, caught up with PEOPLE at Lifetime's Love of a Lifetime celebration in Los Angeles on Jan. 27. During the conversation, she revealed that she is "trying to be more intentional" about saying "no" and setting boundaries as a way of showing herself love and protecting her peace.

"I can't believe at my age, I'm still creating boundaries for myself and really putting myself first," she added. 

Beauvais also opened up about soon being an empty nester when her younger sons — 18-year-old twins Jaid and Jax, whom she shares with ex-husband Mike Nilon — leave home.

"They're growing up. I'm going to be an empty nester soon, so any quality time with them, I hold on to," she said.

The actress, who is also mother to son Oliver, 34, said her kids are "everything" to her.

Jaid joined his mom on the red carpet at the Lifetime event, and Beauvais said having him by her side gave her "butterflies."

"Anytime I can get them to come out with me and do anything with me, I'm so grateful, and I'm so happy because, you know, teenagers. But [Jaid] was like, "Mom, I'm gonna make it after practice.' I was like, 'Okay!' " she told PEOPLE.

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As for how she plans to spend her next phase as an empty nester, she joked, "I got a dog! So that was good. I got an Australian labradoodle. His name is Kobe after Kobe Bryant, so I have that."

"But I am going to try to keep myself busy. It's another chapter. I can't believe it," she added.

Beauvais stars in the new Lifetime movie Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love as a chef named Ava, who travels to Portugal with her new boyfriend, Ellis (Boris Kodjoe), only to find her much younger ex, Luke (Vaughn W. Hebron), there too.

"As Ava and Luke’s paths cross, unresolved emotions simmer to the surface," an official synopsis reads. "Their attraction and love for each other will force them to decide once again what is best for their careers and relationship."

Reflecting on her decades-long career in the entertainment industry, Beauvais — who announced her exit from RHOBH in March 2025 after five seasons — told PEOPLE she feels "grateful" to have so many exciting opportunities still coming her way.

"When I started in this industry, I didn't have this long-term vision. I was also told that women in their 40s are done. Black women, I don't need to say anymore. To have this longevity, to be able to create content now, and be an executive producer, and still working, it's unbelievable," she said. "I'm so grateful, and I just want to tell women out there, keep going. Age is just a number, and it's a privilege to be here and keep getting older."

Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love is streaming on Lifetime.

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