Becoming comfortable with the awareness of the inevitability of my body calling it quits and, also, staying fit to maximize my enjoyment of my remaining time here on earth.
Becoming comfortable with the awareness of the inevitability of my body calling it quits and, also, staying fit to maximize my enjoyment of my remaining time here on earth.
I love all these comments; it’s fun to see and learn from what other smart, curious elders are doing.
My latest book, The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life, was just published last week - so supporting that effort is taking a good deal of my time right now. (In other words, part of my aging well plan is to offer approaches and skills for aging well!)
My vision of myself in my 70s is to be “full of light, deep, strong and magical - time to discover, enjoy and support myself, the world, and those I love.” So I work every day to make that true. 😊
Plan ahead… a year from now, either you or your partner might not be here, or might be terribly incapacitated. So many of my aging friends, many younger than me, seem totally surprised to find themselves widowed. Their surprise grief, their lack of planning is so sad to watch. A husband with Alzheimer’s meant I had no choice but to prepare, but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. The saddest part of aging is losing your life long companion.
Hi Karen, I agree with your point about planning. I'm going to be writing an article about that in a couple of weeks. I know what you mean about losing one's lifelong companion. It is most challenging.
I’m 61, been loving my single life the past 15 years, and have 4 more years of work left before retirement. I work in public schools and have built in breaks and that really helps. Even so it’s exhausting work. I may have to work longer and all depending on what happens in our country the next few years.
But at 60 I decided to purposely live more slowly, care for my big yards and gardens, hike and walk year round, and cook well for myself. I take naps in the late afternoon which I love.
The past few years, and since all my kids moved out, I downsized within my big house, gutted rooms and got rid of tons of stuff. I live as a minimalist now which keeps things clean and tidy. I’m paying off the last of my consumer debt having fallen on hard times, and fixing up my home for retirement now. I have a ‘death binder’ that has everything imaginable in it for my kids when I die.
I have 3 little grandchildren now and enjoy babysitting and just being patient and present for them.
Sure. It has everything my heirs will need if I need medical care, am incapacitated or die: living will, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, my life celebration and burial wishes, all financial accounts (which their names are on), user names and passwords, legal papers for my home and auto, etc. Insurances, professional licensures.
It’s really just a collection of every single thing a person would have to do for a loved one if they passed. It is a gift, actually, as it excludes all the guessing and looking around for things. My heirs know where the binder is and I’ve gone through it with them.
I love this Tricia, so glad you are all prepared, and the family will benefit from your binder too. I founded an end of life planning company in 2016 and it focused entirely on this. I'm no longer running it, but I get a thrill still when I hear someone is doing something like what you have done!
Getting outside and working in a garden. Soaking up sun and fresh air. Spending time with Friends over tea or coffee. Walking your dog( I do 3 X daily) Allowing for reading time, nap time and free time. Life should not be a hectic schedule anymore!!🥰
A lot of my time is focused on maximizing my health, since I have 2 genetic diseases and 3 autoimmune diseases. But I do not let it consume me, so my plan is focusing on all that brings me joy: my adult children and soon-to-be granddaughter, my flower and vegetable garden, and cooking. We have already down-sized our house and it is handicap-accessible.
We moved to a 55+ community three years ago, and the quieter pace has been good for our nervous systems. We walk together every day and have a dog. We chose an area that has a ton of medical services nearby.
My Aging Well plan includes new hobbies to keep my brain healthy. While working (many years in corporate sales then owning my own small business) my main hobby was socializing with friends. (And by “socializing” I mean drinking & eating an unhealthy amount.)
With a goal of Aging Well in my early retirement, I’ve taken up stained glass creating. It’s both relaxing and challenging! Journaling and writing are both newer routines that are also relaxing and challenging.
These are all solo activities- so they feel a little uncomfortable to me. That, I suppose, is where the growth comes in.
Hi Anne Marie, I'm more of an introvert and prefer solo activities, so healthy socializing with others is an area I'm working on. One that I am still very much out of my comfort zone.
At 71, fit in every respect, mentally and physically. Never miss morning walk, exercise, meditation and prayers. Timely food intake (totally vegetarian). Most importantly, I work on my art and training projects consistently for at least ten hours a day, practising, researching, learning, and posting on social media.
Yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, having a passion, in my case my garden and keeping the deer and rabbits out of it. I also got a Fitbit which is actually fun to me. One day it even told me to slow down and take it easy. Watching birds come to the feeder while I drink coffee outside in the morning. Things that soothe my soul and bring me joy and peace. And thank you to Tricia for the Death Binder idea.
Our third Pop-up discussion provides another opportunity to connect and explore the concept of planning for healthy and happy aging.
Becoming comfortable with the awareness of the inevitability of my body calling it quits and, also, staying fit to maximize my enjoyment of my remaining time here on earth.
Becoming comfortable with the awareness of the inevitability of my body calling it quits and, also, staying fit to maximize my enjoyment of my remaining time here on earth.
Hi David, Sounds right to me.
We just made a big move, renting so we can explore areas then when we buy— that’s it, final resting place before the final final resting place. 🙏
LOVE LOVE the daughter/mother painting time :)
I love all these comments; it’s fun to see and learn from what other smart, curious elders are doing.
My latest book, The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life, was just published last week - so supporting that effort is taking a good deal of my time right now. (In other words, part of my aging well plan is to offer approaches and skills for aging well!)
My vision of myself in my 70s is to be “full of light, deep, strong and magical - time to discover, enjoy and support myself, the world, and those I love.” So I work every day to make that true. 😊
As much time in nature as I can! Good for body and soul!
I’m 78 and work in retail
Going on trips with one child or grandchild at a time gives us more ways to understand each other
I also decided that paying a personal trainer keeps me in better condition safely. I never thought that I would be lifting weights.
Doing fun stuff makes me happy
Hi Nancy, the personal trainer sounds like a great idea.
Plan ahead… a year from now, either you or your partner might not be here, or might be terribly incapacitated. So many of my aging friends, many younger than me, seem totally surprised to find themselves widowed. Their surprise grief, their lack of planning is so sad to watch. A husband with Alzheimer’s meant I had no choice but to prepare, but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. The saddest part of aging is losing your life long companion.
Hi Karen, I agree with your point about planning. I'm going to be writing an article about that in a couple of weeks. I know what you mean about losing one's lifelong companion. It is most challenging.
I’m 61, been loving my single life the past 15 years, and have 4 more years of work left before retirement. I work in public schools and have built in breaks and that really helps. Even so it’s exhausting work. I may have to work longer and all depending on what happens in our country the next few years.
But at 60 I decided to purposely live more slowly, care for my big yards and gardens, hike and walk year round, and cook well for myself. I take naps in the late afternoon which I love.
The past few years, and since all my kids moved out, I downsized within my big house, gutted rooms and got rid of tons of stuff. I live as a minimalist now which keeps things clean and tidy. I’m paying off the last of my consumer debt having fallen on hard times, and fixing up my home for retirement now. I have a ‘death binder’ that has everything imaginable in it for my kids when I die.
I have 3 little grandchildren now and enjoy babysitting and just being patient and present for them.
Hi Tricia, That's Interesting because I'm updating my "death binder" right now as well.
Beautiful post, can you say more about your death binder?
Sure. It has everything my heirs will need if I need medical care, am incapacitated or die: living will, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, my life celebration and burial wishes, all financial accounts (which their names are on), user names and passwords, legal papers for my home and auto, etc. Insurances, professional licensures.
It’s really just a collection of every single thing a person would have to do for a loved one if they passed. It is a gift, actually, as it excludes all the guessing and looking around for things. My heirs know where the binder is and I’ve gone through it with them.
I love this Tricia, so glad you are all prepared, and the family will benefit from your binder too. I founded an end of life planning company in 2016 and it focused entirely on this. I'm no longer running it, but I get a thrill still when I hear someone is doing something like what you have done!
Thank you. I did after divorce and when I was a single parent. Have just updated it as the years have gone on.
Getting outside and working in a garden. Soaking up sun and fresh air. Spending time with Friends over tea or coffee. Walking your dog( I do 3 X daily) Allowing for reading time, nap time and free time. Life should not be a hectic schedule anymore!!🥰
Hi Mary Ann, I agree, life should not be a hectic schedule anymore.
A lot of my time is focused on maximizing my health, since I have 2 genetic diseases and 3 autoimmune diseases. But I do not let it consume me, so my plan is focusing on all that brings me joy: my adult children and soon-to-be granddaughter, my flower and vegetable garden, and cooking. We have already down-sized our house and it is handicap-accessible.
Hi Jan, it sounds as if you are planning well.
Thanks Janice. It is for now. I reserve the right to alter it as needed. 😉
Alterations are also a necessary option, it seems.
We moved to a 55+ community three years ago, and the quieter pace has been good for our nervous systems. We walk together every day and have a dog. We chose an area that has a ton of medical services nearby.
Hi Stephanie, That's a good idea - having medical services available.
My Aging Well plan includes new hobbies to keep my brain healthy. While working (many years in corporate sales then owning my own small business) my main hobby was socializing with friends. (And by “socializing” I mean drinking & eating an unhealthy amount.)
With a goal of Aging Well in my early retirement, I’ve taken up stained glass creating. It’s both relaxing and challenging! Journaling and writing are both newer routines that are also relaxing and challenging.
These are all solo activities- so they feel a little uncomfortable to me. That, I suppose, is where the growth comes in.
Hi Anne Marie, I'm more of an introvert and prefer solo activities, so healthy socializing with others is an area I'm working on. One that I am still very much out of my comfort zone.
At 71, fit in every respect, mentally and physically. Never miss morning walk, exercise, meditation and prayers. Timely food intake (totally vegetarian). Most importantly, I work on my art and training projects consistently for at least ten hours a day, practising, researching, learning, and posting on social media.
Hi Chidanand, you seem to have a very clear purpose that drives you, and you're making choices to support it. Bravo!
Being physically active, deconstructing my religious upbringing and learning to trust myself.
Hi Joanna, For me, learning to trust myself is a big one.
Yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, having a passion, in my case my garden and keeping the deer and rabbits out of it. I also got a Fitbit which is actually fun to me. One day it even told me to slow down and take it easy. Watching birds come to the feeder while I drink coffee outside in the morning. Things that soothe my soul and bring me joy and peace. And thank you to Tricia for the Death Binder idea.
Hi Julie, I agree that having a passion is an essential piece of aging well. I have two, writing and art. They brighten my day.
Love your painting Janice. Creativity is part of my aging well plan too, along with being in nature, exercise, and reading every day.
Hi Lee, Thank you - I enjoy the painting - it was something I had wanted to do for a long time - but never took the time until recently.