topic Re: Aging and Looking Ahead in Wellness

Aging and Looking Ahead

SeaMaiden — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 14:10:36 GMT

Good Sunday Morning!

For some reason this morning,,,, I was thinking...

"I am almost 61, and maybe have another 20-25 years ( if fortunate enough!) of life left."

It left me thinking... and looking more deeply at my life and how I spend my days. Do you ever do that? I think after 60, it is more typical to see the down side of the hill you climb all your life... you turn the corner and see a bit more clearly around the bend.

Anyway, this " share" below I found interesting as it ties in to my feelings I had this morning on aging and seeing what is ahead. The plus on aging is that we do have the ability to make good choices or even stop bad habits and slow the clock down. The earlier you start the better... so those here in there 40's and 50's can start now and really make a difference in their lives after 60... that is exciting!

To live a healthy life the next 20 something years... that is my goal. What is yours?

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/25-habits-of-people-who-age-gracefully/ss-BBukHHq?li=BBnb7Kz#image=26

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Sooner — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 14:29:14 GMT

My goal is to appreciate every day I have left, try to be better to other people, to not let people take advantage of me, to learn something new every day, to be a productive and worthwhile person as long as I can, to not turn into an old fool, and to give thanks to God every day for the blessings I have had in my life.

To get rid of outdated junk I don't need and others don't want, to share what is good with people who might need it, and

I hope that every day I have I can be useful in some way, and be a blessing to someone.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Starpolisher — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 14:43:33 GMT

What a coincidence! I was just coming here to post something similar only mine is more on a negative note. I'm 62 and only have a good 20 to 25 years left, if I'm lucky. I've also been thinking about how I spend my days. I retired last June and since then, I'm having a hard time staying motivated to do ANYTHING. I spend too many days doing absolutely nothing productive and telling myself I'll do it tomorrow. I just can't seem to get into a routine and stick to it. I do babysit for my granddaughter twice a week and love it! It's the only time I feel motivated to do anything. I keep thinking about how when my ds's were home I got so much done and felt so much more fulfilled. Now I just feel sort of aimless, cleaning and cooking but with no real goals left to pursue. How do others who have retired and are in your 60's handle this? What inspires you? What goals or future dreams keep you motivated and looking ahead? I need some focus.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

ALRATIBA — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:01:27 GMT

My doctor tells me I'm healthy and "young for my age." I just turned 74. My family tends to live long lives ... most into their 90s.

Even so ... my motto is "live each day as though it were your last." I don't want to spend my time worrying/thinking about trivial things. Just yesterday, I read these lines from Thomas Merton:

"...to turn aside from controversy and put away heavy loads of judgment and censorship and criticism and the whole burden of opinions that I have no obligation to carry."

I have several projects and interests that I've been working on for years ... and will continue to do so.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:14:53 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:
What a coincidence! I was just coming here to post something similar only mine is more on a negative note. I'm 62 and only have a good 20 to 25 years left, if I'm lucky. I've also been thinking about how I spend my days. I retired last June and since then, I'm having a hard time staying motivated to do ANYTHING. I spend too many days doing absolutely nothing productive and telling myself I'll do it tomorrow. I just can't seem to get into a routine and stick to it. I do babysit for my granddaughter twice a week and love it! It's the only time I feel motivated to do anything. I keep thinking about how when my ds's were home I got so much done and felt so much more fulfilled. Now I just feel sort of aimless, cleaning and cooking but with no real goals left to pursue. How do others who have retired and are in your 60's handle this? What inspires you? What goals or future dreams keep you motivated and looking ahead? I need some focus.

@Starpolisher @SeaMaiden

Medical advances happen all the time and there are thousands and thousands of Americans 100 years old or older.

Someone in their early 60's who is estimating their life span, keep in mind .... you could be very very wrong. A person in their early 60's might very well have another FORTY years of life ahead of them.

If that is a distinct possibility .... what do you plan to do with the next FORTY years? Isn't it time to have a plan for the rest of your life?

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Trinity11 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:20:49 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
Good Sunday Morning!

For some reason this morning,,,, I was thinking...

"I am almost 61, and maybe have another 20-25 years ( if fortunate enough!) of life left."

It left me thinking... and looking more deeply at my life and how I spend my days. Do you ever do that? I think after 60, it is more typical to see the down side of the hill you climb all your life... you turn the corner and see a bit more clearly around the bend.

Anyway, this " share" below I found interesting as it ties in to my feelings I had this morning on aging and seeing what is ahead. The plus on aging is that we do have the ability to make good choices or even stop bad habits and slow the clock down. The earlier you start the better... so those here in there 40's and 50's can start now and really make a difference in their lives after 60... that is exciting!

To live a healthy life the next 20 something years... that is my goal. What is yours?

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/25-habits-of-people-who-age-gracefully/ss-BBukHHq?li=BBnb7Kz#image=26

I was sideswept 6 weeks ago by a heart attack which has left me with heart failure. The risk factors just weren't there and no one was more surprised than I am...

I am able to get around, though and push myself to walk every day. I will not give in to this. There are meds, dietary goals and mentally I am psyched to beat this.

I only mention this because with all the good intentions and planning, still none of us have any idea what can happen. I treasure each and every day I have left.....

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Ms X — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:22:52 GMT

@Trinity11 Keep on truckin'! You are on the path to getting better and better.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Trinity11 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:25:38 GMT

@Ms X wrote:
@Trinity11 Keep on truckin'! You are on the path to getting better and better.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Snoopp — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:32:13 GMT

I get a little depressed about aging cause i know many people much older and they are not necessarily enjoying things the way we might hope for.

Anyway, I give myself credit if I exercise, clean, sometimes just for getting out and running errands.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

SeaMaiden — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:33:39 GMT

@Starpolisher we could be twins. I retired three years ago from my job of 25 years.. I really have been going on rather aimlessly the past years... no goals, no contact with friends... That does not bother me. And not having to feel busy does not bother me either.. I rather enjoy just living live aimlessly! All those years of going by the clock... never feeling I could just do nothing are over and I can do NOTHING if I please. I love my walks almost daily, love my time to myself and love eating and sleeping when and how I chose.

Perhaps I am at a point after three years that I am needing some more direction... Join a club perhaps? Get out with people more?..... I SUPPOSE I should feel that way... but at this time I do not. I worked with the public all my life and really just do not like being around people and living up to their expections. I dealt with people my whole life and it was just so draining on my energy. Maybe this is something I can work on and find a happy medium that is healthy for me yet not consuming.... I am just not a people person and do not need people in my life everyday.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Trinity11 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:34:52 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:
What a coincidence! I was just coming here to post something similar only mine is more on a negative note. I'm 62 and only have a good 20 to 25 years left, if I'm lucky. I've also been thinking about how I spend my days. I retired last June and since then, I'm having a hard time staying motivated to do ANYTHING. I spend too many days doing absolutely nothing productive and telling myself I'll do it tomorrow. I just can't seem to get into a routine and stick to it. I do babysit for my granddaughter twice a week and love it! It's the only time I feel motivated to do anything. I keep thinking about how when my ds's were home I got so much done and felt so much more fulfilled. Now I just feel sort of aimless, cleaning and cooking but with no real goals left to pursue. How do others who have retired and are in your 60's handle this? What inspires you? What goals or future dreams keep you motivated and looking ahead? I need some focus.

Go easy on yourself. You are placing road blocks on yourself. You love baby-sitting your grand-daughter. Cherish the time you spend with her. Appreciate the little things in life. A beautiful sunset, the sound of the rain....all probably so many of us didn't have the time to do when we were younger and busy, busy.

I am inspired to live longer so that I can spend more time with family and friends. No one is going to remember how perfect my house looked or whether I succeeded in every goal I set for myself. What they will remember is someone who tried their best.....and it was enough.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Q4u — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:51:01 GMT

In my particular case I honestly don't think in those terms.... as to how much life I might have left because life can be a crapshoot in that regard. I have a little glitch that has me often not tracking time like most people.... two weeks can seem like an eternity away (or sometime in the near future) or having passed, a moment's blink of an eye.

I have to have a calendar I can physically "see" or I'll miss deadlines thinking they are just some time in the future. I remember my Mom handing me a bulletin board and a write-in calendar to hang from it when I was about 10.... never missed a project after that and have been using that system ever since. As intelligent as my oldest son is (he was asked to join Mensa).... he inherited this glitch and has his own calendar system.

I also nearly died in 2010 and have a profound unyielding gratitude for each day.... so I tend to enjoy each day the very best I can, be as healthy as I can be, help others when I can and act spontaneously if possible.... that's what makes me happy, and I'm happy...

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:53:34 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Starpolisher we could be twins. I retired three years ago from my job of 25 years.. I really have been going on rather aimlessly the past years... no goals, no contact with friends... That does not bother me. And not having to feel busy does not bother me either.. I rather enjoy just living live aimlessly! All those years of going by the clock... never feeling I could just do nothing are over and I can do NOTHING if I please. I love my walks almost daily, love my time to myself and love eating and sleeping when and how I chose.
Perhaps I am at a point after three years that I am needing some more direction... Join a club perhaps? Get out with people more?..... I SUPPOSE I should feel that way... but at this time I do not. I worked with the public all my life and really just do not like being around people and living up to their expections. I dealt with people my whole life and it was just so draining on my energy. Maybe this is something I can work on and find a happy medium that is healthy for me yet not consuming.... I am just not a people person and do not need people in my life everyday.

@SeaMaiden

Obviously, your choices will depend on several things .... how's your mobility? Are you ok financially? What do you love?

There are so many volunteers needed for so many things .... personally, when I retire, I want to foster baby kittens, at least occasionally. But that's me, you must have something in mind that you would love to do .......

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Snoopp — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 15:58:19 GMT

It's kind of strange to be aimless after being a goal setter but there are blessings with just having a day to do whatever.

Lots of people get into crafts but that is not my thing. The closest i get to a craft is trying the coloring books. I think adding a little bit of structure to your day can help, even something simple like a morning walk each day.

I bought a fit it on the Q and spend a lot of time trying to meet the goal set for that.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

StylishLady — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:01:53 GMT

I really don't give it all much thought. I'll be 82 in October and hope to get to 100. I work out, eat well, and keep busy with my year round gardening down here. So far so good, I guess. DH says I have good DNA and a positive attitude and should make it.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Snoopp — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:02:49 GMT

I meant to say fitbit in my post. Ipad is changing it.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

LilacTree — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:06:04 GMT

I'm 78 and not in good health, actually only a year and a half from 80. I could die tomorrow and still consider that I was lucky to have lived that long. Our family is not long lived.

I think about dying practically every day now. I figure it could be any day, or five years from now. At any rate it goes very fast and even five years will fly by.

60 sounds like a baby to me. I was still working (until 66) and feeling young and healthy (and looking forward to SS). The last 12 years has passed like lightning. If you have your health, you have everything. You can still do almost anything.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Beaches 1956 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:07:17 GMT

I am 59 and just became an empty nester. I still work fulltime but can see that I am not what I ued to be. I have no reason to do anything but work. My parents are gone and life is now over for me.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Beaches 1956 — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:09:52 GMT

I know what you mean - people say you should travel - been there, done that.

Re: Aging and Looking Ahead

Snoopp — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:11:41 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I'm 78 and not in good health, actually only a year and a half from 80. I could die tomorrow and still consider that I was lucky to have lived that long. Our family is not long lived.

I think about dying practically every day now. I figure it could be any day, or five years from now. At any rate it goes very fast and even five years will fly by.

60 sounds like a baby to me. I was still working (until 66) and feeling young and healthy (and looking forward to SS). The last 12 years has passed like lightning. If you have your health, you have everything. You can still do almost anything.

Amen to that. I think about death too.