The older I get, the more convinced I am that happiness is not limited to the big moments that read like a highlight reel. That may sound surprising coming from someone who writes about living vibrantly in a culture that celebrates achievements, milestones, and bucket-list adventures. But I’ve come to understand that there is real, measurable value in anticipation – in the simple act of having something to look forward to, even if that something is hunting for a perfectly ripe cantaloupe at the farmers market.
Summer has always struck me as a season full of things to look forward to. Maybe it’s the longer days, the way light lingers into evening, or the muscle memory of childhood summers spent lounging in my friend’s treehouse. Whatever the reason, this season has a way of reminding us that life isn’t just about checking things off of our to-do list. It’s also the pleasure of looking forward to what comes next.
As women in our 60s and beyond, we often find ourselves in a curious position. The routines and obligations that once filled and structured our days have shifted. Our children are grown and likely feathering their own nests. Our careers may be winding down or evolving into something more aligned with who we are now. Chances are we have more freedom than we’ve had in decades, and yet – here’s the tricky part – freedom without intention can feel flat, dull, and utterly demotivating.
Having something to look forward to isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity, as essential to wellbeing as sleep, good shoes, and knowing where you put your reading glasses.
Anticipation Is Its Own Kind of Joy
Researchers tell us that looking forward to a positive experience can produce as much happiness as the experience itself. This means that the concert on the calendar, the lunch date next week, or the Saturday morning trip to a favorite book store can start improving your mood long before they actually happen.
Anticipation inspires us to look beyond the routine and toward the future. It’s a reminder that life is still unfolding and that there are plenty of exciting reasons to toss off the sheets and climb out of bed in the morning.
The Small Things Matter More Than We Think
When we imagine having something to look forward to, we tend to jump straight to the big bucket list thrills like travel plans and major life events. Those are wonderful, but they’re also occasional. The compound benefit of positive anticipation lives in the smaller experiences and activities woven into an ordinary week.
A standing Thursday happy hour with a friend who makes you laugh until your mascara smears, a cover band concert where you know all the words to the ‘80s tunes, and a novel so good you’re rationing it so that it doesn’t end, all provide moments of pre-emptive excitement. So does finally trying that new restaurant that you keep postponing because, honestly, the sofa is SO comfortable at the end of the day.
None of these will change your life, but when planned, they create a rhythm of expectation and enjoyment that can transform an ordinary summer into one you’ll actually remember fondly, instead of one that just sort of happened to you while you were busy scrolling.
Creating Your Own Summer Traditions
One of the genuine gifts of this stage of life is that we no longer need permission to create traditions that suit us. As children, summer traditions were handed to us. As adults, we get to invent them from scratch, and we get to make them exactly as elaborate or as low-key as we want. Friday lunches on a patio, a monthly visit to a local museum (also a great way to beat the heat,) and hosting an “apps and yaps” potluck so that you’re not doing all the work are examples of minimum-effort traditions that are a joy to look forward to.
The event itself matters less than the act of creating something that gives you a reason to smile when you think about next week.
Looking Forward Is a Form of Hope
There is something powerful about putting plans on the calendar. It signals that we believe good things are coming. They may not be dramatic or life-changing, but they are meaningful. One example from my own life is scheduling an appointment with my hair stylist. While coming out with a fresh ‘do feels fantastic, the part I look forward to most is the wild conversation we have. It’s where I get updates on the lives of the “Real Housewives of Wherever,” and all the red-carpet fashion critiques from someone who is half-my age and an absolute encyclopedia of pop culture. I truly look forward to that hilarious hour in her chair.
Having something to look forward to keeps us engaged with the present while staying genuinely optimistic about what comes next. That, it turns out, might be one of the most valuable habits we can build at any age.
Be the Woman Who Says, “Let’s Go”
As women who choose to thrive in later life, there’s one important thing to keep in mind. The person who benefits most from having something to look forward to is often the person willing to create it.
Unfortunately, many women drift into unintentional isolation, waiting for invitations that never come because everyone else is waiting, too. Sometimes the solution is remarkably simple: be the planner. Be the friend who suggests coffee. Be the neighbor who organizes a beginner mahjong group. Just be the woman who says, “Let’s go.” Not only will you fill your own calendar with meaningful moments, but you’ll soon discover that others are grateful you took the first step.
Join Me in Creating More Moments of Anticipation
One of the reasons I created the Spark 60 weekly inspiration email was to help women build more of these moments into their lives. Every Wednesday, I share one simple idea designed to spark curiosity, connection, fun, or possibility. It’s all about knowing that something good is waiting just ahead – even if it’s just a really excellent cantaloupe.
Let’s Get Chatting:
What do you look forward to today? What about tomorrow? And the weekend? What is there to spark up your life in the ordinary days?
