I found Sixty and Me at 63, and the voices of women around the world carried me gracefully through my 60s with wisdom and great ideas. Now, I’m turning 73 this month and noticing interesting things as I’ve entered my 70s. For each of us, the journey is a bit different because we each have unique trajectories with our interests, our health, and our families.
As I look at friends who are also in their 70s, I see that everyone has health challenges. My friend told me the senior version of the children’s song, “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” is “Back, Shoulders, Hips, and Knees.” And another friend pointed out that we begin visits with our contemporaries with an “organ recital” as we elaborate on the recent acquisition of a hearing aid, dental implants, or newly replaced hips or knees. My father, who lived until 93, used to say, “I am glad I am here, I am glad I am anywhere!”
Might as well laugh about it!
So, I came up with a few tips for myself and to share with you about transitioning from the 60s to the 70s.
Adjust Expectations
Recently, some friends joined us for a trip to Yosemite, the spectacular national park with its valley of ancient rock formations. We didn’t hike because my husband’s knee could not take it. We didn’t go in a boat, because my friend gets dizzy. So, we took walks in the valley, found hidden places along the river, and dipped our toes in the crystal-clear water.
We planned to eat in the early evening, so we took a rest on a bench to get a second wind. I did not mind because I adjusted my expectations. That way, I wasn’t disappointed and was able to get the most joy out of the experience.
We can change our expectations to match our energy levels, and even select locations so we won’t get stuck in traffic or have trouble finding parking. It’s a joy to adapt and find new ways to enjoy life.
Indulge Yourself
Many of us spent years meeting the needs of our parents, our children, significant others, and co-workers. Now, we can take time to indulge ourselves.
I am very picky about pillows; not too firm, not too soft. Also, I buy 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles and enjoy the hours putting them together. I grow milkweed, collect Monarch butterfly eggs, watch caterpillars hatch and grow fat, and make a chrysalis. Eventually, a beautiful butterfly emerges.
Oh yes, and I watch more TV and Netflix series; I prefer that to going out at night. Many indulgences cost very little money but offer pleasure and comfort. It’s a liberating feeling to prioritize our own needs and find joy in simple pleasures.
Let Go of Things You Have Done in the Past and Find New Pastimes
At one time, I took a guitar with me everywhere. I loved singing with others. When I was a school principal, kids thought I was the music teacher because I would come into classrooms to sing with them. Then I had vocal cord surgery twice, and it left me with scar tissue, a raspy voice that cracked when I sang higher notes. So, now I sing along with music in the car, and that part of my life has changed.
But, when I retired, I was able to pursue my love of writing that had been stagnant since my high school teacher wrote, “I can’t wait to see you in print” when she graded my essays. She would have had to wait over 50 years, and sadly, by then, we had lost touch. Now, writing brings me so much excitement. It’s a relief to let go of past pursuits and embrace new ones, opening up a world of new experiences and excitement.
Compartmentalizing
Sometimes, the problems of friends and family or conflicts in the world that are beyond our control keep us up at night. Compartmentalization involves creating mental boundaries to keep different aspects of life separate and distinct. For example, we can compartmentalize to keep the problems and stresses of the world from impacting our home life. We can choose not to be bombarded 24/7 with horrific images and news items with seemingly unsolvable problems.
By compartmentalizing, we don’t have to feel everything around the clock. By compartmentalizing, I can get up in the morning and feel joy as I water my garden, knowing that compartmentalizing doesn’t make me a bad person. We can do what we can for the people we love, help others, and work to improve the world without feeling guilty.
Let’s Reflect:
Have any of you noticed changes moving from the 60s to 70s? How do you manage your expectations? What do you indulge in that makes you feel good? What have you let go of, and what have you taken on? Do you have anything to share about compartmentalizing?
