A few months ago, I was feeling lethargic about my life. It seemed smaller, rather flat and far too predictable. I wondered whether this was simply what happened at 72. Perhaps life naturally slowed down, and I needed to accept it.

But I didn’t want to accept it. Just because I may be three quarters of the way through my life does not mean I need to stop fully living it.

There was nothing particularly wrong with my life. It had simply become too routine. My days blended into one another, with few surprises and little anticipation. I was finding it difficult to become enthusiastic about anything. I wasn’t deeply unhappy, but I had fallen into a slump, and I needed something to pull me out of it.

I realized that I no longer had anything special to look forward to. In fact, I had become rather hesitant about looking too far into the future. But that was exactly what I needed to do. I needed a challenge or an experience that would lift me up, make me a little nervous and still be entirely possible at my age.

The question was, what could it be?

Looking Beyond My Usual Life

Finding the answer became a project. I began by looking at my hobbies and interests. I made a chart of the things I enjoyed, places I wanted to visit, food I wanted to try, and skills I might like to improve. I considered the advantages and disadvantages of each possibility and began deciding which ones interested me most.

The exercise was surprisingly enjoyable. Instead of seeing all the limitations that can come with getting older, I began noticing possibilities again.

It also reminded me of things I had once wanted to do but had nearly forgotten. I thought about eating at a Michelin star restaurant, walking somewhere much farther than the two- or three-hour routes I usually follow, and seeing places I had only read about. Perhaps I could stand before the Sphinx in Giza or finally see Gaudí’s extraordinary Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

Once I gave myself permission to imagine, one idea led to another.

Looking for Something My Way

The most surprising discovery was that I wanted to do something alone, without friends or family. I wanted the freedom to enjoy the experience my way, without anyone telling me what to do and without feeling responsible for someone else.

That might sound selfish, but I needed something that was entirely for me. I wanted to step away from the familiar role of the mature woman who considers everyone else’s needs and making sure everything runs smoothly.

The more I studied my chart, the more certain I became that I had to figure this out for myself. I did not want to ask other people what they thought I should do. I especially did not want to be influenced by anyone telling me what was sensible or appropriate for a woman my age.

Age be damned!

I made another list, this time of things I had wanted to do but had never believed I could. I considered the practical limitations, including cost, health and future commitments. Then I began searching online to see whether any of these possibilities could become real.

Discovering How Much Is Still Possible

I had so much fun exploring. I found opportunities I never knew existed. Did you know that you can take knitting courses in European cities and learn traditional techniques from local knitters? I discovered long walking trails that take days or weeks to complete but do not require extreme fitness, climbing skills or specialized equipment.

I also found online groups filled with women in their 60s, 70s, and beyond. They were travelling, studying history, experimenting with fashion, learning new skills, and pursuing interests I had never considered. I felt like a child in a candy shop, surrounded by things to do, people to meet, and ideas to explore.

More importantly, I began to feel excited again.

There were plenty of women my age enjoying their lives and looking forward to what might come next. They were not pretending that age did not exist. They were simply refusing to let it decide everything for them.

The fact that more of life is behind us than ahead does not have to diminish our joy. It can make the remaining time feel more valuable.

Finding Something That Excited Me

I could have continued exploring possibilities and watching videos of older women doing interesting things. Even that was helping me get out of bed with more enthusiasm and look forward to my day. But one possibility grabbed my attention.

I could not stop thinking about it. I began researching whether it was realistic for me, and the more I learned, the more excited I became. I also felt apprehensive, which told me this was not just another pleasant idea. It was something that could genuinely shake up my life.

I am not going to reveal what it was or what I decided. What matters here is that the search itself restored something I had lost.

Restoring a Sense of Possibility

We are never too old to look forward to the future. Being “of a certain age” does not mean we can no longer feel joyful, nervous, curious or excited about doing something new. We do not have to settle for increasingly smaller lives simply because that may be what others expect.

I restored the sense of possibility I had been missing. My familiar routine was interrupted, and I now have something meaningful to anticipate. I feel more energetic and interested in what lies ahead.

Rediscovering curiosity and allowing myself to imagine new possibilities gave me exactly the boost I needed. Is your life beginning to feel flatter or smaller? Perhaps you also need to shake things up.

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you been feeling dull, bored or uninterested with your routine lately? Where have you searched for inspiration? What kind of thing could shake up the routine?