Something to think about: the oft-cited 2002 study by Becca Levy of Yale University revealed that people with positive beliefs about aging live an average of seven and a half years longer than those who regard aging as a negative experience.
Growing and improving my positive mindset has allowed me to thrive and grow and move forward. I have found that working on my mindset has lead to working on my financial independence, constantly looking for new skills to make life more interesting and getting excited about each new day. I think that mindset is probably the hardest thing to convince people to work on and it is the most important thing to work on before even thinking about nutrition or exercise or hobbies. What you think is what sets you up for the day or a lifetime. I love reading about your life and how you are striving to move forward in such a positive way. I have been reading a book about the importance of sleep so now sleep quality is another thing for me to work on. I’m in my early seventies and can only hope I am as active and interesting as you as I get older.
Hi Val, Mindset is such an important piece, isn't it? I'm so pleased you are enjoying the articles; I certainly enjoy writing them. Oddly enough, I'm probably doing more today than I did in my 70s - I now realize how important it is.
Hmm, I need to change my mindset. In the past few months since revisiting where I was most happy daily, it's been a struggle.
I never judged a place on the weather (like the rest of my family did) and mosy chose places that ignited my zest for life.
I live inside a mist of constant gray and clouds, most brown snow. It gets "light" until around 8:35 am, although by definition it is dark... and getting to me. Five years of this and my attitude isn't able to overcome feeling displaced.
I have multiple daily visits from a black squirrel and a bright red male cardinal who hang on my deck. We're all used to each other... I can't help but think they're sharing this feeling with me. I've never seen a bird hang around so long at one time, seriously he spends minutes on the bird feeder or on the railing just staring out into space. The squirrel doesn't even flinch anymore when I go out to refill the feeder. He just looks at me with a blank stare (unlike the others who scamper off and fly through air space to the tree limb a few feet away) and waits for me to go back in and close the door.
I'm rereading your article. It might help me think differently about my circumstances from another perspective. I don't to lose that extra seven years.
You described precisely one of the reasons we moved back to California from Washington: the lack of blue sky and very long grey days. But I did see bald eagles and deer. True about the seven years.
Rethinking our sense of purpose is a very useful exercise and your essay calls me to do the same Janice. I think about what I want to do and how I want to show up but not necessarily the underlying purpose of it all.
The research shows that older people who have a pet, which would of course lend a great deal of purpose, to be healthier and happier and the same would go for hobbies and art. I'm glad we have our writing.
I resonated with this article so much - thank you for writing, Janice! I love that you have identified ways in which your care for your physical and mental health is not fulfilling all of your emotional needs. I love that you are constantly growing and adapting to new changes! Such a positive message.
"... fixing better meals for myself, listening to music rather than the news, taking on new challenges, spending more time outdoors, or bringing the outdoors in". What a great plan, Janice. Regarding the last one, I have discovered a fine way to commune with nature. Have you ever visited the Cornell Lab Bird Feeders LIVE Camera? I check in five times a day just to see who is there. I am keeping a notebook. It is my window on nature. It is best to watch between 8 am and 1 pm EST.
I am happy you took a look. Sometimes there is only one small chickadee, but wait five minutes and there are 14 birds all different. It is always such a surprise to me.
This was wonderfully thoughtful. It resonated. I've struggled since my kids left the nest. I had the best job in the world for 18 years and then I was "fired," and, we moved across country. I waiver on positive beliefs about aging. I need to get on board with 100% positivity.
Something to think about: the oft-cited 2002 study by Becca Levy of Yale University revealed that people with positive beliefs about aging live an average of seven and a half years longer than those who regard aging as a negative experience.
Yes positive beliefs about aging is a something I need to work on too!
That river, that color, that vibrancy. Just breathing the luminescence it gives off sets a fine tone for aging WELL.
Thank you, Jill. It remains one of my favorite painting attempts.
Growing and improving my positive mindset has allowed me to thrive and grow and move forward. I have found that working on my mindset has lead to working on my financial independence, constantly looking for new skills to make life more interesting and getting excited about each new day. I think that mindset is probably the hardest thing to convince people to work on and it is the most important thing to work on before even thinking about nutrition or exercise or hobbies. What you think is what sets you up for the day or a lifetime. I love reading about your life and how you are striving to move forward in such a positive way. I have been reading a book about the importance of sleep so now sleep quality is another thing for me to work on. I’m in my early seventies and can only hope I am as active and interesting as you as I get older.
Hi Val, Mindset is such an important piece, isn't it? I'm so pleased you are enjoying the articles; I certainly enjoy writing them. Oddly enough, I'm probably doing more today than I did in my 70s - I now realize how important it is.
Lovely--I love to rethink purpose, everything gets freshened up--especially in winter!
Hmm, I need to change my mindset. In the past few months since revisiting where I was most happy daily, it's been a struggle.
I never judged a place on the weather (like the rest of my family did) and mosy chose places that ignited my zest for life.
I live inside a mist of constant gray and clouds, most brown snow. It gets "light" until around 8:35 am, although by definition it is dark... and getting to me. Five years of this and my attitude isn't able to overcome feeling displaced.
I have multiple daily visits from a black squirrel and a bright red male cardinal who hang on my deck. We're all used to each other... I can't help but think they're sharing this feeling with me. I've never seen a bird hang around so long at one time, seriously he spends minutes on the bird feeder or on the railing just staring out into space. The squirrel doesn't even flinch anymore when I go out to refill the feeder. He just looks at me with a blank stare (unlike the others who scamper off and fly through air space to the tree limb a few feet away) and waits for me to go back in and close the door.
I'm rereading your article. It might help me think differently about my circumstances from another perspective. I don't to lose that extra seven years.
You described precisely one of the reasons we moved back to California from Washington: the lack of blue sky and very long grey days. But I did see bald eagles and deer. True about the seven years.
I'm so sorry about the typos. For goodness sake, note to self: Don't respond to anything on my phone without my glasses! Pitiful!
I had to smile, I have many notes to myself - a whole list, actually.
Rethinking our sense of purpose is a very useful exercise and your essay calls me to do the same Janice. I think about what I want to do and how I want to show up but not necessarily the underlying purpose of it all.
The research shows that older people who have a pet, which would of course lend a great deal of purpose, to be healthier and happier and the same would go for hobbies and art. I'm glad we have our writing.
Thanks for another thought-provoking essay.
Hi Donna, So am I. The writing has been a life-saver.
I resonated with this article so much - thank you for writing, Janice! I love that you have identified ways in which your care for your physical and mental health is not fulfilling all of your emotional needs. I love that you are constantly growing and adapting to new changes! Such a positive message.
Hi, Thank you so much.
"... fixing better meals for myself, listening to music rather than the news, taking on new challenges, spending more time outdoors, or bringing the outdoors in". What a great plan, Janice. Regarding the last one, I have discovered a fine way to commune with nature. Have you ever visited the Cornell Lab Bird Feeders LIVE Camera? I check in five times a day just to see who is there. I am keeping a notebook. It is my window on nature. It is best to watch between 8 am and 1 pm EST.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x10vL6_47Dw&ab_channel=CornellLabBirdCams
Hi Sharron, I had no idea and just visited - how very cool. It's on in the background, and I can hear the birds.
I am happy you took a look. Sometimes there is only one small chickadee, but wait five minutes and there are 14 birds all different. It is always such a surprise to me.
This was wonderfully thoughtful. It resonated. I've struggled since my kids left the nest. I had the best job in the world for 18 years and then I was "fired," and, we moved across country. I waiver on positive beliefs about aging. I need to get on board with 100% positivity.
So do I.