Technology is a Door to a Better Life After 60. Here’s how to Open it!

When I got divorced, I bought my first power drill. I actually cried when I left the DIY store, realizing all the things that I would now have to do for myself. It was time to start depending on myself. The same was true when it came to my computer. For years, I had relied on other people to handle technical tasks. If there was a problem with my computer, my “troubleshooting” consisted of turning it off and on again, tapping it on the top, closing any open programs, and finally calling my husband to help. Something had to change.

Then, I discovered Lynda, an online subscription site where you can watch short educational videos on 100’s of topics from starting a blog to editing digital photos to posting videos to YouTube. What I liked most about Lynda was the way in which each of the topics is broken down into small, manageable parts (typically less than 5 minutes).

If you are just getting started online and want to know how to use your computer, there are plenty of free videos on YouTube. All you need to do it type in what you are looking for and plenty of options will appear. But, if you already have a good understanding of how your computer works and want to start a business, learn to edit photos and videos, design and publish e-books, or improve your Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) skills, Lynda is a great option.

Of course, I would be lying if I said that becoming more technical was easy for me. It wasn’t. But, one of the wonderful things about being alive today is that the tools for learning new skills have become super easy to use. Since signing up for Lynda, I have started several blogs, improved my technical skills and learned how to edit digital photos of my grandkids. Sure, it costs a little money each month, but, for me, it’s worth it.

Being 60 doesn’t have to be a time of isolation. In fact, with tools like Lynda, our generation has the potential to stay connected in ways that our parents only dreamed of.

So, if, like me, you want to take advantage of the latest technologies and not be reliant others for help (or even earn a little extra cash), give Lynda a shot.

Have you tried Lynda? What was your experience? Please join the conversation.