3 Ways to Get Excited About Starting Over After 60
I know, it’s not easy starting over later in life, especially if it wasn’t what you had planned, or you have had an unexpected setback. It may even feel like the end of the world.
I get it. After my marriage of more than 30 years collapsed, I was just a puddle on the floor of my new apartment.
It took me some time to pull myself back together. I still have lots of bad days, but I have slowly started to have more good days than bad. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’ve found some keys to making it happen.
Starting Over After 60? Start by Making New Friends
If you are waiting for someone to knock on your door to help get you back on your feet, you may be waiting forever. The only person who can make your life better is you and sitting on the couch binge-watching Netflix is not the answer, as much as I love it.
So, get out there and get to know your surroundings if you are in a new locale. If there is a coffee shop in your area, become a regular for a while. As you get to know the servers, they will get to know you.
You can look on the community board and find some activities near you. Take a book or the paper and just “camp” there for a while and you will most likely meet others from nearby. It just takes a couple of new acquaintances to make you feel at home in your new surroundings.
Look for an association in your neighbourhood or building. That’s a great way to get to know some new faces. And it’s all you need to make you feel like you are moving forward.
I had a party shortly after I moved to my apartment and combined my long-time friends with some friends from the new neighbourhood and it was a blast. My old friends loved my new digs and my new neighbours got a sense of who I am and who I was. Plus, I got some invitations for gatherings in my new neighbourhood after that, so it was a success.
Never Stop Learning
Continuing to learn isn’t just key for starting over, it is key for anyone as they age. Learning and keeping your brain working – and exercise – are the two best ways to keep yourself young, in my opinion.
Whether it is joining a yoga class, learning to cook some new recipes or taking up a new hobby, you will not only replace old habits and attitudes with new ones, you will increase your knowledge and maybe make some new friends. You’ll feel like you are in forward motion, rather than feeling stuck in old patterns.
If you are not in a book club, join one. It will force you to read a book that you might not otherwise read. Take a cooking class. If you want to learn Spanish, find a course in your area. If you wish you had taken accounting classes in college, many colleges and universities offer classes to seniors at a reduced cost or even for free.
Keep your brain busy and learning and you will have less time to dwell on the past and feel sorry for yourself.
Exercise
Let me assure you, if I never had to exercise another day in my life I would be the happiest girl in the world. But I do have to exercise. I am not a skinny girl who can eat anything she wants and not pay for it in pounds. So, exercise just must be a part of my life.
But, I know that without it I will not have the best chances of staying mobile and healthy in the future. So, I do it. And I have met some nice people along the way. If you are not exercising now, do it. And if you are, great, keep it up.
You are doing something positive for yourself. Exercise helps your mood, keeps you upright and improves your attitude. All you must do is put on your gym shoes and walk. You will feel better and get to know your surroundings.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you ever gone through a major life event that forced you to start over? If you are struggling to start over, have you tried any of the ideas in this article? Please share your experiences with other women in the community.
Tags Reinventing Yourself
My husband of 41 years who I love dearly, just had a heart transplant. He is an athletic person who played rugby until he was 63, he just turned 71. My husband worked out, raced sailboats and played rugby 9 mins out of the year while coaching at the men’s level, the college level the high school level, and the under 12 kiddos. He rarely drinks and never smoked, he’s always eaten right and taken very good care of himself and his family. It’s the genetics on both sides of his family. His new heart is a blessing and very strong, it’s a lot of little things that are holding him back from his true life. He has Parkinson’s, but it’s very manageable, he has orthostatic hypotension (low bp when he stands) and the transplant kicked his kidneys so he is on dialysis 3x a week for 4 hours a day. He is being evaluated for a kidney. He shouldn’t be buy himself for long periods of time, risk of falling, until he gets stronger. He has to be spotted on steps, he needs to be in the wheelchair if we go anywhere. Sooo, the point is, I am his caretaker now, and I don’t mind it, but it’s when others things happen that really aren’t horrible, like the fridge breaks down or there’s a mouse in the house. I was wondering if anyone has had an experience like this and how did you cope so that you didn’t feel guilty instead of grateful that he has a chance to live for another 20 years?
Thank you, and I turn to this website everyday to be lifted up.
I think you accidentally posted in the wrong article. I sincerely hope you consider a support group for caretakers and check to see if Senior Services or your health insurance provider offers some additional services and/or respite care.
startingoveratsixty is no longer a valid web domain…..
I feel like I am constantly forced to make a decision at my age laterly…early 60. I have been told that I am not old to start all over and live peaceful life compared to that I have. Interestingly I have a spouse and somewhat of financial security but straining relationship with spouse is causing stress that many around me think I can start all over…I can work and start a new life. I find it easier to say than done. It’s overwhelming and bit scary after being just a housewife and only worked part times. I think it’s unfair to think I can start all over now that kids are grown and have their own lives together after years of being wife and mom and even help with grandkids so they could get their things done just because now that only two of left and going through trials in relationship. Mainly because we do not agree on somethings and can’t get it together. Most of times we are agreeable, but kids are tired and think only solution is to go separate ways to give them peace. It seems easier for all of us if we start all over than work things out or find a common grounds to make it here as our times are not that long left. The 60 is new 50. The 50 is new 40…kind of talk seems like a good thing but gives unrealistic views when one has been only working to be someone else’s mom and wife. We sure to live in a strange time…mom and wife isn’t enough, but we all need some kind of backup.
I feel isolation is my biggest concern and yet, solitude Seems safer
I am now in a small town in SE Arizona where I moved after my live-in boyfriend of 5 years died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve 2021. Sadly enough, I started dating Joe a year after my husband of 15 years died from a major stroke. Now I am completely alone and hoping maybe I can make some friends here. The town I live in is very small and friendship opportunities are few.