Have you worked hard all of your life and find yourself thinking about doing something different? I sincerely hope that your life is exactly how you want it to be – however, if you’re not completely satisfied with every aspect of your life, there is always room to reinvent yourself – no matter how old you are!

I’m not ashamed to admit that I just turned 64 in October last year (2021). I have reinvented myself several times throughout my life. So, it doesn’t seem so outlandish an idea to suggest that reinventing yourself after 60 is just as possible. Some might find it a rather daunting idea – but, I don’t think it is.

Really, though – doesn’t everyone have the opportunity to be the person they choose to be every day? The past is only a memory and the future is decided with every choice you make in this moment.  So, does the fact that you’re over 60 change that in any way?

Reinventing yourself doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul either. Perhaps there are just a few areas of your life that you would like to improve. Perhaps you could improve relationships with your family or special friends. Perhaps you could work on becoming more fit. Perhaps you need to evaluate your financial situation to prepare for an awesome retirement. I think it is preferable to make those improvements now rather than spend any more time living or creating a future that is less than awesome.

If you’re thinking ‘I am who I am and why would I want to change now?’ I would counter with ‘Are you happy with your life as it is?’ If your answer is ‘not really’ then, reinventing yourself is something to consider – no matter how old you are.  It’s really simple (although, perhaps not easy).  Here are some tips for you:

Choose One Thing

It’s very important to choose – and work on – only one thing at a time.  When you try to do more than that, you will most likely become overwhelmed and not make any progress. Almost everyone who knows me, called me a work-a-holic as I was climbing the career ladder. 

I only discovered recently that one of the things that tends to make it difficult to achieve what I would like is my tendency to try lots of different things at the same time. That’s the One Thing I’m working on now.

Planning for retirement is usually high on the list at this age (at least it is for me). If you are thinking about retirement and limited finances make that seem like an unattainable dream – you can do something about that. It is possible – even now.

If your health is a concern, a few small choices can help. Any amount of exercise is an absolute necessity. I’ve struggled with exercising for a long time, but it’s essential the older you get.  What you choose to eat can also contribute to better health. There are a multitude of resources on the internet about improving your health. Everyone has specific concerns and conditions that come into play when determining a plan.  I suggest you do a little bit of research – and, make sure your information comes from a trusted source. Depending on your circumstances – use good judgement and consult with your doctor about a plan to improve your specific health issues.

If you have any relationships that need improvement – you’ll need to identify the reason(s) for that before you can reinvent that area of your life. Relationships have been a difficult area for me – mostly because I haven’t made an effort to keep in touch with distant friends and family, so I don’t feel qualified to give much advise in this area.  One thing I do know though is that relationships can be improved if you make an effort.  First decide why the relationship is strained and then, resolve to communicate with the other person with curiosity and be open to considering their point of view.

Be Observant

As you work to improve each area of your life, you will find yourself beginning to change. Remember to observe the other areas of your life as you proceed on this journey. Don’t let those other areas slip if you like things the way they are.  It’s possible to neglect other areas of your life as you work to improve another. Be aware as you proceed.

Take Care Of Yourself

This subject is one of my passions. I have found that if you start with your thinking, many opportunities will present themselves. Most people struggle to take time for introspection – but getting to know yourself is the foundation for everything! You are not your thoughts – you are the observer of  your thoughts. Without quiet introspection, you may never know who you really are.  I won’t go on about this….more to come in another post.

 

Please comment below to let me know what you think!  I’d love to get to know you better.

Thanks for reading!

Betsy