Carol, Age 64
I am 64 years old and recently retired. Since I am traveling the road to 70, I would like to share some miles with you. In the past year, besides retiring after 38 years full-time in retail, my husband and I have built a home in an adult community and my granddaughter has given birth to my second great grandson. I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions. I did not realize this time in my life would have me guestioning who I really am. Everyone wants to know what I’m going to do with all my free time. I really can’t answer this yet because I do not know yet. I do feel myself getting older every day, but I refuse to ever just be old! I plan on traveling this road to 70 with an open mind. I know the road will be bumpy at times, but reading about people that have already arrived will make it much easier for me. Reading these stories puts a smile on my face and has me looking foward to turning 70. I am now enjoying just being in the moment no matter what I am doing. I am grateful that I now have the time to work through my many emotions and now have a place to share them.
I have had this blog bookmarked but never read it until this morning. I am very happy to have found it! I have been feeling a bit adrift for some reason. My husband is living and is 78 and I am 77. We have been married for 50 plus years. He has become more and more inactive and I miss so much the exploring that we once did. We traveled alone half way around the world on a sailboat. Now I can’t get him to take a walk.
Thank goodness we have family around and I have some good friends and my dogs or neighbors dogs that are always willing to take a walk. I am thankful that I can still take walk and enjoy nature. I guess I am just fearful of the road ahead but must be reminded to live in the moment. Thank you for this blog.
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I, too, am asked what I do with all this spare time. I taught young children for years….I loved doing that but found it an emptying process. Now I am refilling my cup of life. Instead of racing here and there to beat a clock or traffic, I sit. I listen. I become a part of the landscape. I simply take time for myself. How else can we get to know who we are? Time is on our side….it goes faster as you get older…make it your time.
Yes, to the 64 year old blogger, it is good to have time to find yourself in your new life. In fact, I think it is necessary to pause before feeling you must DO something. I retired two years ago and moved from NYC to Cape Cod. I had a period of culture shock. I had several interests I now have time to pursue more diligently but I did not rush to make new acquaintances and a place in my new community. It was evolved more quickly than I expected but I still feel I’m taking my time — and I have the time. I love getting up every morning with the knowledge that I can fill the day with my interests. I’m feeling more creative than I have in years. So taking your time seems like exactly the right thing for you to do.