Aging and Looking Ahead - Page 3

luv-the-Q · ‎05-04-2015

@Tinkrbl44 We think alike. Lord willing, I will retire in one year and 10 months at age 65. I hope to care for abandoned senior dogs. I have two right now, but work keeps me from taking on more. I can't wait! 🐩🐕😁😁

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@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.

@Starpolisher @SeaMaiden
Actually we could be triplets!!

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

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@ALRATIBA wrote:
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.

I don't watch every new scast now and avoid the politics above all. I have been there, done that, and refuse to be upset all day about things I can't change. It is other people's time now. I still have opinions, strong ones, and will vote, but I will NOT engage in this nonsense every day.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@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?

First, I'm not sure I buy that. Secondly, I see people live longer, but MOST don't live well after they are in their 90's. You might be living longer, but I'm not sure you are being younger if you live longer.

Starpolisher · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

You're right @SeaMaiden

we could be twins! I too am happy being by myself. I am a people person when I'm out with people. It's the getting out to be with others that's hard for me. I have two very close friends that I talk to on a regular basis.one just retired and moved out of state and the other one still works. Several of my retired friends/ acquaintances call me to go out to eat. Sometimes I go but most times I don't. I rarely even talk on the phone and since I retired prefer to text just to let others know that I'm thinking of them. While I'm happy doing what I want when I want, I do realize that my days are numbered and I do feel that I should be doing something rather than just letting them go by. Many times my days turn into nights and I haven't done anything productive. I often think about it and wonder what it is I should be doing. I could get involved in different activities and visiting with others but if it doesn't really matter to me then I'd just be going through the motions. I asked my mom about this. She's 86 and has been retired for 24 years. She's an avid gardener( I don't like digging in the dirt) She's very active and always was even when I was a child. She worked and was involved in other activities. I worked, went back to school, changed careers from nursing to teaching but most of my time and my most joyous time was being mom to my sons. I do attend some of the things she's involved with so I can spend more time with her. I do enjoy it. She told me that some of the many activities she does are just to fill up her time. I know she thinks about death often especially since most of her close lifelong friends have died. She talks about it more than I like. She told me that most things for her are social, which is what she likes, I on the other hand, don't really feel the need to be social. Things like this forum have made it easy for me to retreat into myself and only socialize from a distance and on my own terms. I don't want to look back and regret not using my time wisely. I just don't know what to do. Seems to me I've done all the big things in life that I'm ever going to do. The things that mattered. And although it didn't happen overnight I went from being a very busy mom and having people need and depend on me to not being busy at all. I guess what it comes down to is that I no longer have any dreams. Kinda sad...just being. I'm hoping it's just another "season" of life and I'll get it together soon.

"Kindness is like snow ~It beautifies everything it covers"
-Kahlil Gibran

sparklestar · ‎03-09-2010

@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=BBnb7K...

I am right there with you -- constantly thinking about the time that's left. It's scary and depressing because it's the end we are looking at ... it's downhill. Not much to get excited about. I know it's attitude, but a lot of it has to do with your past. I'm just trying to hang in there. I have good days and bad mostly.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Beaches 1956 wrote:
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 I do not like your saying your life is over for you....do you have good health? I bet many people are grateful that you go to work and contribute a bit of yourself each day. I am sorry your parents are gone...mine are as well. It is not an easy part of life to go through with the loss of parents when you love them so much. I never had children, but that also is a loss when they move on to start their lives on their own I am sure. I hope you find peace in your heart that will give you hope and the desire to look forward and work through these losses.

Starpolisher · ‎03-10-2010

@Beaches 1956 wrote:
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.

This pretty much sums up how I feel. On the downside .

"Kindness is like snow ~It beautifies everything it covers"
-Kahlil Gibran

3suwm5 · ‎06-15-2016

Oh my goodness ladies -- I am rounding to 61 myself.

I have found it difficult the last few years, as we have moved twice to different states. Right after we became empty nesters. I was happy to get out of the house our children grew up in, it was difficult walking in their bedrooms for me and the memories in the house. The neighborhood was for young families and the school was a constant reminder of all the years that I volunteered.

That said, I found it exciting to move the first time. Went to a gym and eventually met some gals and started doing lunch, etc.

Then 5 years later, off we go to another state. This time decided I best work out at home - for the gym choices in thisl town and financially - DH went part-time, which I encouraged.

I really have yet to meet folks that aren't working. We live in a golf course community, but I don't golf. Have in the past and don't really enjoy it. If I did golf just because of where we live, I would feel like I have to do it.

I do have some hobbies, exercise, word games, crochet......but I am more of a people person and do miss that somewhat.

I'm looking forward to my DH retiring and my children getting married, having grandchildren. I don't see any of those things happening in the next year or two, for sure.

When I get down, I grab my coffee and get out on the front porch -- watch the golfers go by, people out for a walk, or grab my book. I think about being around for weddings, grandchildren.... I do watch home shows, cooking shows and try to stay away from the political nonsense--the lack of common sense there makes me crazy.

That motivates me, even if I have to remind myself of those things. We are getting my most favorite coffee place, so I will get in there and maybe meet some folks there for the morning brew. I almost can't wait!!

Have a great day!