The Remarkable 60s and 70s: Retrying Life
This year, when I turned 70, I immediately felt old. No one could convince me that I wasn’t. When the calendar turned to my birthday, I defined myself by the new number, seventy. Just the day before, I was thinking younger. I was in my 60s after all! How could one day make me old? Now that I’m into this 70th year, I’ve realized something powerful. How we think about aging can shape how we experience it. Thinking old can actually make you feel old.
I’m Too Old for That
This phrase goes through my mind when I’m choosing an outfit, thinking about participating in something new, or considering going out after dark. I want to be sensible about life but some of this thinking holds me back from fun, excitement, and joyful experiences.
What if you want to wear something bold? Or attend a concert or theatre that ends after dark? Are you really too old to enjoy something new or different? Are you speeding up the aging process by thinking I’m too old for that?
When this phrase pops into your head, ask yourself, “Is this really true?”
I’m Waiting for the Right Timing
How long will you wait? I’m beginning to challenge myself by asking, “if not now, when?” Do you have a dream that you keep putting off because you want everything to line up perfectly? Instead of waiting for that magical alignment, you could try to take a small step toward the dream.
First, imagine it, and then begin to research it. Find out some of the challenges you’d have to overcome and let yourself think of the rewards it could hold for you. If not now, will the dream completely pass you by?
Farley Ledgerwood is an author whose preferred topic is challenging people to stay young as they age. He states: “Waiting for the right time is just fear in a different outfit.” When I thought this over, I liked that he called out fear. Can we say to fear, not this time!
Farley goes on to encourage us by stating, “If something matters to you, take the step. Sign up. Book the flight. Make the call.”
I Used To…
Looking back doesn’t help us move forward. Focusing on the rearview mirror could keep us from missing what’s ahead. But if we live in the past we are missing today and what may be out there for us tomorrow. It’s time to live fully now. What if your best days are still coming?
Farley writes, “Your best idea may be coming. Your best conversation. Your best kiss. Your best act of kindness. Your best moment of joy could be waiting for you on a bench tomorrow, right around the corner.”
Living Remarkably
My 60s were incredible. I got married after a decade of living alone, retired from a company I loved, started my own business, took three amazing trips abroad, and established my business in a thriving health and wellness center.
How could my 70s possibly compete? If I keep looking back at the 60s decade, I could miss what’s here for me now. I’ve decided to stop comparing decades and stay open to what’s possible.
Psychotherapist Amy Morin, host of the podcast Mentally Stronger, puts this question out to all of us: “What if you believe the best is yet to come?” Instead of thinking my 60s were so good nothing could top those years, what if the 70s hold the best yet? This is intriguing thought that lifts my energy and makes me smile. This way of thinking may attract that very thing into my life.
Dreams Keep Us Young
An article in Brain World confirms the value of having a dream and going toward it.
“The kind of information you give your brain is important. If you keep dreaming, actively designing the rest of your life, your brain will be filled with hope and a new sense of expectation. It will help you keep your body and mind healthier, fully mobilizing your muscles, bones, organs, nervous system, and hormones.”
Research has shown that when we think, “I’m old,” our brain’s abilities decline. If you think you’re old, you’ll get old.
C.S Lewis said it best: “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.”
Have you set a new dream for yourself?
Retry
You may be experiencing physical limitations or feel mentally weaker than in your previous years. Yet, you’re still here, still breathing, and can still dream. Show up for life, in every way you can.
My sister-in-law is a great inspiration. She is physically challenged every day with chronic and sometimes severe pain. Yet, she participates in a painting class, attends lectures at the community college, and stays socially engaged with a large group of friends.
Ruthanne Koyama, (a writer on the Medium platform) sums it up for us: “Retirement should be about Retrying Life.”
Retry in whatever state you find yourself in. Fully, Boldly, joyfully. Will you join me?
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What dream are you ready to retry this year? Is there a new dream that keeps drifting into your thoughts? Please comment about your inspiring dreams. Maybe you’re living in one right now! For added inspiration click on this link, 10 Famous Accomplishments Made Late in Life.
Tags Getting Older
I’m learning so much through this site and its articles and especially the comments sections! I turned 60 (3 years ago), my last kid left, i started a new career, but i fell into “I’m old” funk way of thinking.
Now I’m trying to fight my way out. I had made myself old with my thinking! I have some physical aches and pains, which are hindering as much movement as I’d like but finding out lots of exercise “breaks” help me get more.
*So set my watch for 30 minute alarm. When I’ve been sitting longer than 45 minutes it vibrates and I get up and march, move, hand weights, stretches. I also started walking a neighbor’s dog which gets me out after work.
*Trying to work on my weight as I want to lose it so I’m fitter and healthier. And now having some minor health issues due to the weight.
*Exploring new hobbies. Sudoku, solitaire, painting, drawing.
*Driving at night has made my world a bit smaller but I will not drive and possibly make an unsafe situation for others of myself. Locally I’m good but not longer distances or new areas.
*Looking for a woman’s community (such as this) but in person in my community.
I want to feel as young as you women do who are already in or closer to 70 than I am. Thank you for this article!
I see now mindset has a LOT to do with it!
yes, i agree with so much of what you wrote. i do see a hazard in us comparing … i love to hear ideas, but when i compare, am i comparing to people with the same congenital hip formations? am i comparing to people who weren’t in a catastrophic car wreck 3 years ago? am i comparing to people who lived their youth in gymnasiums, or am i comparing to a new exercise writer?
even comparing myself to myself, i can start fading into ‘grey’ with oh, the things i used to do … no. now. here and now.
and not all days are shiny – they never were ALL shiny, right?
keep on; your path sounds solid!
Very good points, Beth! Thank you both, Beth and Alisa.
I love how you pointed out that we could be comparing to someone who started out in a completely different circumstance! Not all days are shiny, but I believe we have some of those in our future. My best to you Beth! Linda
100%, Linda!
TODAY is being Shiny :-)
Hi Alisa! Thanks so much for commenting on the article. I agree with you, our thinking patterns can really influence how we feel and even age us. It sounds like you’re doing a great job exploring new hobbies and staying mindful of your body, especially when sitting for long periods. Keep it up—consistency really is the key to lasting change.
i was in a car wreck a few years ago. i can’t get my doctors and insurance to fully scan my leg that has me on crutches — they’re only going to a pre-existing hip malformation from birth — i decided early on to NOT let the medical ‘practice’ determine my headset
the days aren’t always shiny, but when were they ‘always’ shiny???
i enjoy so much how Sixty+, Margaret, and Linda Ward here encourage us to keep seeking. keep learning. keep Being.
thank you
PS. To keep a doctor comment, other’s comments, and even our own self talk from discouraging us takes a lot of strength. It’s worth the effort though Beth. 😊. Linda
agree
Excellent, inspiring article! Hits all the key points we crones (yes, I said Crones, in the most positive of ways :>) need to address NOW in a gentle yet not sugar-coated way.
Hi Karen, Your comment about the article was super encouraging. Thank you. Linda
I’m 72 and will try out Zumba and Bridge. New on.me is Sudoku and memory games. As long as I can, I try new things….and still love to sew. I don’t do classic. I do right in your face colours.
Love “right in your face colours”.
I prefer dressing in bold colour not grey, black, beige. Vibrant colours make me happy.
my Daughter expressed that she likes that i’m a ‘colouful’ old lady – lol – love it
Thanks for this and perfect for today. My 60’s were awful. A catastrophe in slow motion. Now at the end of that decade, I’ve been challenged to imagine a future that has hope, excitement, possibility. Your article gave me the nudge and encouragement I needed. Back to the drawing board. Let’s see what amazing things the 70’s can bring. The bar is pretty low (lol!), but it can be the best decade yet. Thanks for the positivity!
I felt like that, à bit bored with évents for seniors and found another organisation where members are open minded and really have fun….I will sit down and be submissive and “well behaved”when I die.
‘well behaved women rarely make history’ is a favourite quote of mine
Love it.
Let’s see what the 70’s bring. Just opening ourselves to the good that could come our way is a really good step. We’re in this together ladies! Linda Ward