I love having the gift of not caring what others think or having to go by the rules.
I do think that being older and wiser means that it is important for you to do things your way and not having to just go along without thinking.
I don’t mean that you do uncaring things to hurt people.
I mean that it is okay to try things out and risk not looking good, or being awkward as you learn a new task.
You can explore and start something new even if you feel you have to be perfect doing it.
It is okay to begin from scratch at the piano, guitar, learn Italian, try pickleball, start Yoga, begin working out, try out for a play, do improv.
The most freeing thing about being older is to have the perspective that I am who I am.
This song may have been written for a different reason…but it is relevant today for many reasons. What a joy. He sings without a pretty Broadway voice— he puts it out there with no excuses!
Self-acceptance is the theme here. Even as an older adult, this does not come easy. Self-esteem issues don’t always go away as you age, but the opportunity to work on self-acceptance and self-improvement is what I help my clients do.
We are all a work in progress, at different points with areas of hope as well as possibility.
I set my yearly goals of transformation and what I want to accomplish for the next year in December.
I review the year before, the things I’ve learned, the accomplishments I achieve (I lost 30 pounds), the things I want to focus on in the year ahead.
I look at personal, family, spiritual, financial, health, volunteer, work, relationships, etc.
Using the life wheel is a good way of identifying where you are and where you want to be. Then come up with some specific goals to achieve.
It could be that you want to be kinder to others by helping them out with small tasks and saying 3 positive things a day.
It could be that you want to begin a new weekly workout routine. Just because I am almost 70 does not mean I should not take the time to figure out what “being productive” means for me.
Lesson 1
Always start small. You can add things slowly over time.
Lesson 2
You are never too old to learn new habits. Tiny Habits by TJ Fobb can help with this.
Check out his free 5 day habit journey here.
Build on using an anchor (something you already do) like drinking a cup of coffee or tea and link it to a new activity (a stretch or a Yoga pose).
Lesson 3
Develop a morning routine.
The biggest problem people have when they no longer have work is lack of structure.
Begin to think about how you want to start your day to begin feeling successful.
Lesson 4
Decide what one thing you want to accomplish each day so you feel some success.
It could be going for a walk, or taking a ride to see the mountains, or going to the library to find a new book.
Lesson 5
Learn something new. It could be a new word, how to play a new puzzle game, or how to play or sing a new song (like with the help of Youtube).
