I’m 90 – Here Are 7 Things I Wish I Had Known at 60

When I was 60, I thought I was getting old.

Now that I am 90, I find that rather amusing.

At 60, I had already lived a substantial life. I had worked, learned, made mistakes, enjoyed successes, worried about things that never happened, and survived problems that once seemed enormous.

But looking back over the 30 years since then, I can see several things much more clearly.

If I could sit down with my 60-year-old self today, these are the seven things I would tell him.

1. Take Your Health Seriously Before You Have To

At 60, it is easy to think, “I’m doing fine. I’ll worry about that later.” But later has a way of arriving. The best time to take care of your body is while it is still cooperating with you.

Walk. Exercise. Keep your weight reasonable. Eat sensibly most of the time. Get your medical checkups. Pay attention when your body tells you something.

You do not have to live like a monk. Life should still include dessert. But good health gives you something money cannot buy: the ability to enjoy almost everything else.

Living longer is nice.

Living longer while still being able to enjoy yourself is much better.

2. Stop Worrying About Problems That Haven’t Happened

I have spent more hours than I care to count worrying about things that never occurred. Perhaps you have, too.

We imagine conversations that go badly, illnesses we do not have, financial disasters that never arrive, and problems involving people who are probably at home worrying about us.

Worry feels productive, but usually it is not.

If a problem can be fixed, work on fixing it. If it cannot be fixed today, worrying about it all afternoon will not improve it.

At 90, I have learned that peace of mind is too valuable to give away cheaply.

3. People Matter More Than Almost Anything You Own

Most of us spend years accumulating things. Furniture. Clothes. Cars. Collections. Gadgets. Boxes filled with things we cannot remember buying.

Eventually, we discover that the most valuable parts of life do not fit into boxes.

Call the person you have been meaning to call. Have lunch with someone you enjoy. Tell people you love them. Forgive the little things.

One of the privileges of growing older is realizing how silly some arguments really were.

Being right is sometimes satisfying. Being close to someone you care about is better.

4. Always Have Something That Interests You

I believe one of the secrets of staying young is having something you are eager to do tomorrow. It does not matter whether it is writing a book, learning to sing, gardening, traveling, studying history, taking up painting, volunteering, starting a business, or figuring out the latest technology.

Curiosity gives life momentum.

The dangerous retirement is not retirement from a job. It is retirement from interest. Never retire from being interested.

5. You Are Probably Not Too Old

At 60, many people begin eliminating possibilities simply because of the number on their birthday cake.

“I’m too old to start that,” they say.

Maybe you are. But probably not.

Before you reject something because of age, ask a better question: “Can I do it, and would I enjoy it?” If the answer is yes, start. You may be surprised by how much life is still ahead of you.

At 60, I certainly would have been surprised to know some of the projects I would still be working on at 90.

6. Keep Learning, Even When the World Becomes Annoying

Every generation eventually reaches the point where the world appears to have changed without asking permission.

New technology arrives. New expressions appear. Things that once required three people and a filing cabinet are suddenly done on a smartphone.

You can complain about all of it. I occasionally do. But it is much more interesting to learn.

Ask questions. Try new things. Let younger people show you something. Read about subjects you know nothing about.

The moment we decide there is nothing more worth learning, we make our world smaller.

7. Don’t Keep Saving Your Life for Later

This is the lesson I would emphasize most.

People spend years waiting for the perfect time to enjoy themselves. After retirement. After the mortgage is paid. After the family problem is solved. After things become less complicated.

Unfortunately, life has never shown much interest in becoming uncomplicated.

An ordinary good day is worth appreciating.

A walk. A conversation. A good meal. Music you love. A project that excites you. Waking up feeling well.

Those are not interruptions while you wait for life to begin. They are life.

If you are 60 today, you may feel that your best years are behind you. They do not have to be. Take care of yourself. Stay curious. Love people. Worry less. Keep learning. Start something.

And most important, enjoy today.

Speaking as someone who has had 30 more years to think about it, 60 is not nearly as old as it looks.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

At what age did you first think, “I’m too old”? How many years have passed since then? What projects have you accomplished since you were too old? What do you say to yourself these days?