It happens to all of us. We get older. Do you fear it? Do you embrace it? Do you feel joyful about it?
When I turned the corner to what I call the Third Season, a little experience changed my life.
I was doing pretty much an everyday thing, getting a flu shot. Yes, I get one every year. I genuinely believe it helps me stay healthy during the flu season. In fact, I haven’t had the flu for years, and I like to give credit to that annual shot as part of the reason. Of course, self-care is also a huge contributor.
Anyway, that particular time I received a shot, a young Asian woman gave it to me. I made a comment about getting older and making sure I take care of myself. The lovely Asian woman looked at me and said, ” Oh, congratulations. In my culture, getting older is a wonderful thing. You have so much wisdom now. We look upon our elderly for advice and give them great respect.”
That short exchange between the young woman at the clinic and me started me thinking differently about aging. And now, I do genuinely pay attention to what I’ve learned over the years and how my experiences over time have brought me wisdom that I can share with others. I look back on my past with gratitude, even the things that were tough. I’ve learned from them all.
So what about you? What are you up to, and where are you headed in your Third Season? Do you wonder what you’ll do next? Have you found your next steps toward your goals? Your good life? Your future? You can change, recreate, and begin again, at any age, you know? From 50-100…there’s so much available to live a rich and fulfilled life.
I put together these few steps that you might use to get the juices flowing if you’re stuck, and the baby steps you may need to get further down the road.
5 Keys for Creating Your Best Life at Any Age
1. Take Your Time.
- Spend time just being…letting ideas show up…what did you do as a child that you loved, is there a place for this now?
- Maybe you will create an edited version of what you loved doing then, but still rewarding.
2. Clean Slate-Get Clear on what you need to let go of and do it.
- What do you need to know or find out about yourself to get clear on your new direction?
- What will you need to let go of, and what will you keep?
- What will you create new?
3. Define balance.
- What is your personal definition of balance?
- Mine is if I want to work, and it excites me and makes me happy…I am balanced. I know what works for me, and I know when to step back to renew.
4. Set your strategy – edit and re-set.
- Your first strategy is a draft, but it’s a place to start.
- Keep adjusting it until the fit is just right for you.
5. Don’t try it alone.
- Bring people around you for guidance and feedback,
- People who can suggest new ideas for you that you might not have thought about.
It’s a really very exciting time in your life. But don’t forget self-care. This is YOUR time, even if you have responsibilities that get in your way for re-creation, a small step toward your future life can still be possible.