An astonishing number of people seem to think that there’s a time limit on various life goals. There are countless posts online about what people would do if they could turn back time, but the majority of them aren’t daredevil adventures or endeavors that take decades to cultivate: they’re completely attainable for anyone, at any age. And that includes those who are approaching their golden years.
Life doesn’t end after we hit the mid-century point, and the following things are some of the top things we’re still allowed (and should be encouraged!) to pursue in our later years.
1. Love.
Our ability to love and be loved doesn’t atrophy at a particular age. Those who are over 60 have just as much capacity as anyone else to dream about falling in love, having spectacular physical intimacy, and spending the rest of their lives with someone they care about deeply.
Whether you’re divorced, widowed, or have never been married, you aren’t just allowed to daydream about love at your big, beautiful age: you’re thoroughly encouraged to pursue it!
Some people find their significant others out in the wild, while other people create connections on social media, dating apps, or meeting groups. Regardless of where you cultivate your connection, seize opportunities when they present themselves, and let love rule.
2. Success.
Success is measured on individual terms. As such, if there’s something you’ve always wanted to be successful at, but haven’t attained (or even pursued) as yet, there’s no time like the present to start.
Have you always wanted to write a book? Many authors had their first books published after the age of 60, and you can too. Did you dream of acting when you were younger? Check out opportunities with community theatre groups, or get yourself an acting agent. Clara Peller didn’t start acting until she was in her 80s, and nothing is stopping you from following this dream at your age, either.
3. Peace.
Far too many people endure situations and relationships that steal their peace far longer than they should. Sometimes it’s because they don’t have the financial ability to leave, but many others do so out of a sense of duty or obligation. They’ll stay in a neighborhood they despise because their relatives want them to stay nearby, or they’ll remain in an awful marriage due to the sunk-cost fallacy.
You may think that there’s no point in pursuing personal peace now, since you’ve tolerated hardship for so long and it’ll all be over soon, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I know many people who have picked up and started their lives over in their 60s, 70s, and beyond, and not one of them regretted choosing peace over convenience.
4. A fulfilling pastime.
A startling number of people partake in pastimes for reasons other than personal desire. For example, one of my older relatives is in her 70s, and admitted to me that she only spent years cycling and cross-country skiing because that’s what her husband liked to do, and he’d make fun of her “boring” sewing and knitting projects. Now that she’s older and can’t be as physically active anymore, she’s finally rediscovering the pastimes that she always loved, but never felt “allowed” to pursue.
Pick up the hobbies that you set aside for the sake of other people’s whims or judgment, and spend as much time on them as your radiant heart desires. You have full permission to do so.
5. Adventure.
Adventure isn’t solely in the realm of young people who can cram all their belongings in a backpack and be content to sleep on hostel floors the whole time. Many individuals take great joy in experiencing adventure and wonder in their older years, whether it’s by travelling the world or trying out all kinds of unique and interesting experiences.
Definitely check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’ll be okay if you’re keen on skydiving or white water rafting, but if your adventure goals include seeing many of the world’s wonders, then by all means — do so. Hopefully, you have the financial freedom and free time to explore at least a little of what the world has to offer now, so make those plans happen!
6. Security.
Everybody has their own idea of what security looks like to them. For one person, it may be enough money saved for a comfortable retirement. Another may wish to finally buy their own home, or ensure they have a well-stocked pantry and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Usually, those who grew up without certain types of security end up dreaming about those very things in adulthood. Perhaps you never had financial stability growing up, or maybe you lacked a sense of physical or emotional safety. Whatever form of security you’ve been longing for, it’s not too late for you to put plans into action to prioritize it now.
This might mean working with a financial advisor to make the most of your retirement savings, downsizing to a home that’s easier to manage and less expensive to maintain, or strengthening connections with neighbors and community members so you know you’re not alone. Security can also mean having your healthcare wishes documented, or simply creating the kind of stable, predictable daily routine that brings you comfort. There’s no single “right” way to build security—only what feels most important to you.
7. Spiritual sanctuary.
Although some people are happy with the spiritual beliefs they were raised with, others either didn’t click with their family’s religious paths or weren’t raised with much spirituality at all. Whether you’re seeking to strengthen beliefs you already have or explore new paths that may feel more “right” to you, there’s definitely no time limit on seeking spiritual connection and fulfillment.
One person may discover that devotional yoga resonates with their soul, while another may connect with a different branch of their own faith. You may discover that you finally feel spiritually “home” in a particular spiritual community, or that you’ve always been meant to meditate or use tarot cards alone by candlelight. Explore whatever piques your interest, and let the right path unfold before you.
8. Study.
There is no time limit on learning. If you’ve always wanted to study a particular subject or earn a degree in a field that’s important to you, there’s no time like the present to get that going. Many of us had classmates in university who were decades older than ourselves, and nobody cheered louder than us when they graduated.
Even if the field you’re interested in has aspects that you feel are beyond your physical capability, don’t let that limit you. For example, you may not be limber enough to spend hours digging around in soil as a field archaeologist, but you can work on items in the lab as they’re found and brought in for analysis, etc.
9. An entirely new or different life.
I recently read about a woman who, at the age of 75, was moving to a country in Europe after spending her entire life in the United States. She had always dreamt of living in this place, but her husband had been dead-set against it. Now that she’s widowed and her children are fully grown with families of their own, she has taken language classes and been able to emigrate to the place of her dreams.
Many people think that there’s an age cutoff for starting life anew, but there isn’t. Not at all. Considering how long most people live nowadays, you can absolutely still want — and pursue — the life of your dreams. Find out what needs to be done to make this dream a reality, get help to sort out whatever is needed, and make it so!
Final thoughts…
Many of my friends who are in their 60s and beyond have embarked on marvelous journeys over the past several years. One hiked the Appalachian Trail for his 75th birthday, one flew down to Costa Rica last year to get her yoga teacher training certificate at 63, and another attended 120 concerts last year at the age of 91!
Let go of all the preconceptions you have about age limits, all of which have been used to control and manipulate you. Right now, right this second, make the conscious decision to follow your dreams instead.
