Aging and Looking Ahead - Page 2

Trinity11 · ‎11-16-2014

@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.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

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...

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@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 .......

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

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.

StylishLady · ‎03-11-2010

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.

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

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

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

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.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

Beaches 1956 · ‎06-11-2016

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.

Beaches 1956 · ‎06-11-2016

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

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

@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.