I love this so much! I’m so glad I ‘discovered’ you! I’m looking forward to turning 80 in six months, and while writing those words is still a bit of a shock because I can’t believe I’m this age ALREADY, I still know that there is much more life to be lived. My mother lived to be nearly 104, so who knows, I may too. Consider me one of your new subscribers. I look forward to getting to know you.
Thanks, Sally. I do feel that there’s a lot of life yet. My book with the same title expands my view that It’s a great time to be alive. Welcome, soon, to your 80s (Incidentally, I wrote a post called Turning 80).
I'm turning 58 a week from today, and I feel like I've finally acquired the confidence and freedom necessary to fully live my life on my own terms! I can't wait to move forward into the next decades--or however long I have. I plan to live it all fully!
Ann, thank you for this blog post! I will be 62 on Sunday and I believe that there is so much more ahead of me to explore! Despite what is going on in the world, I feel optimistic about my future and the the future of my children! I am coaching women over forty and have rediscovered my passion for sewing! My projects may not come out perfectly but I am having fun and notice that I am a lot more patient with myself than when I was younger! I can't wait to see what happens next! I would love to freature this article as a guest blog on my website! Thank you!
You can feature the article, but it is important for there to be some acknowledgement that a version of it first appeared on Sixtyandme.com. Otherwise, I get into trouble with the latter, for whom I have been writing for 7-8 years.. I wrote that post very quickly because I was fired up by the remark, but it had a huge impact (I think I sold 17 copies of my book the next day!). The book has essentially the same message, but is written in a different way.
PS. I am about to be 82 and still have the same view. It does help to have good health. You can also see me stand on my head on one of the Substack posts about why people stand on their head.
I agree. Growing older and even BEING old is wonderful. I am 86. To most people I am ancient. But not to me. I still love life. I am still making plans (and I know that’s what makes God laugh). I thank God and my angels every day… for my day! It could be my last.
Loved this, Ann! I clicked on to your profile from a comment on substack's writers office hours, and really enjoyed this article. I am approaching 30, and am thinking a lot about aging and what the next chapter of my life looks like. It's great to hear this perspective.
Thanks. You've got a VERY long time ahead before you start worrying about aging! It's not remotely the next chapter of your life. But you might like to see my reflections on raunch, just to reinforce my position (see, eg https://arichardson.substack.com/p/raunch
You're right that we are much more free, but the woman who made the statement was still working and did not seem poor (from other things she said). I think she just felt that nothing interesting was going to happen to her from now on.
I agree with and like much of what you have said. I think my wife and I have generally been happier since we both retired. Life is usually more relaxed, and one is no longer a prisoner of timetables. But among the things making this possible is a reasonable income, which too many people sadly lack.
Ann I so admire your positivity. I'm glad you enjoy being older. I'm not sure I do. I miss my young body but it's futile wishing I was younger. What I do feel now I'm in my sixties is a greater sense of urgency about completing creative projects and making the most of my time. Of course the clock's always been ticking but now I hear it.
Well, I think the old adage of "use it or lose it" is right, so keep using everything you can – ypur mind, your body, your creativity etc etc. In fact, I think the older we get the harder we have to peddle to maintain the same speed. Many people think it is not worth the bother, but I do think it is. Good luck.
Your temporary companion sounds like a very unhappy woman. We seniors are all over the charts as regards whether we are happy or miserable about being old. My attitude is usually like yours, but occasionally I regret something I didn't do, or something I can no longer do, and that's natural at 85.
I love this so much! I’m so glad I ‘discovered’ you! I’m looking forward to turning 80 in six months, and while writing those words is still a bit of a shock because I can’t believe I’m this age ALREADY, I still know that there is much more life to be lived. My mother lived to be nearly 104, so who knows, I may too. Consider me one of your new subscribers. I look forward to getting to know you.
Thanks, Sally. I do feel that there’s a lot of life yet. My book with the same title expands my view that It’s a great time to be alive. Welcome, soon, to your 80s (Incidentally, I wrote a post called Turning 80).
I’ll look for it!
Great article, our age is just one marker and we can all live a wonderful joyful life till it ends
Thanks. That's my view. Just keep breathing and keep having fun.
Great article, our age is just one marker and we can all live a wonderful joyful life till it ends
I'm turning 58 a week from today, and I feel like I've finally acquired the confidence and freedom necessary to fully live my life on my own terms! I can't wait to move forward into the next decades--or however long I have. I plan to live it all fully!
Just keep healthy and you’ll do fine. You start with the right attitude!
This is GREAT! At 60 (almost 61), it is just the inspiration I need. Thank you!
Ann, thank you for this blog post! I will be 62 on Sunday and I believe that there is so much more ahead of me to explore! Despite what is going on in the world, I feel optimistic about my future and the the future of my children! I am coaching women over forty and have rediscovered my passion for sewing! My projects may not come out perfectly but I am having fun and notice that I am a lot more patient with myself than when I was younger! I can't wait to see what happens next! I would love to freature this article as a guest blog on my website! Thank you!
You can feature the article, but it is important for there to be some acknowledgement that a version of it first appeared on Sixtyandme.com. Otherwise, I get into trouble with the latter, for whom I have been writing for 7-8 years.. I wrote that post very quickly because I was fired up by the remark, but it had a huge impact (I think I sold 17 copies of my book the next day!). The book has essentially the same message, but is written in a different way.
PS. I am about to be 82 and still have the same view. It does help to have good health. You can also see me stand on my head on one of the Substack posts about why people stand on their head.
I agree. Growing older and even BEING old is wonderful. I am 86. To most people I am ancient. But not to me. I still love life. I am still making plans (and I know that’s what makes God laugh). I thank God and my angels every day… for my day! It could be my last.
Loved this, Ann! I clicked on to your profile from a comment on substack's writers office hours, and really enjoyed this article. I am approaching 30, and am thinking a lot about aging and what the next chapter of my life looks like. It's great to hear this perspective.
Thanks. You've got a VERY long time ahead before you start worrying about aging! It's not remotely the next chapter of your life. But you might like to see my reflections on raunch, just to reinforce my position (see, eg https://arichardson.substack.com/p/raunch
You're right that we are much more free, but the woman who made the statement was still working and did not seem poor (from other things she said). I think she just felt that nothing interesting was going to happen to her from now on.
I agree with and like much of what you have said. I think my wife and I have generally been happier since we both retired. Life is usually more relaxed, and one is no longer a prisoner of timetables. But among the things making this possible is a reasonable income, which too many people sadly lack.
Ann I so admire your positivity. I'm glad you enjoy being older. I'm not sure I do. I miss my young body but it's futile wishing I was younger. What I do feel now I'm in my sixties is a greater sense of urgency about completing creative projects and making the most of my time. Of course the clock's always been ticking but now I hear it.
Well, I think the old adage of "use it or lose it" is right, so keep using everything you can – ypur mind, your body, your creativity etc etc. In fact, I think the older we get the harder we have to peddle to maintain the same speed. Many people think it is not worth the bother, but I do think it is. Good luck.
Your temporary companion sounds like a very unhappy woman. We seniors are all over the charts as regards whether we are happy or miserable about being old. My attitude is usually like yours, but occasionally I regret something I didn't do, or something I can no longer do, and that's natural at 85.
Well, regrets are part of life. You'll probably create more regrets before you're done, but that doesn't mean you don't have a lot more living to do.
❤️
Brava! I am totally with you. When I retired at 62 I felt like life was just beginning...and it was!
Yup. Lots of future at 62...
A heartening piece of excellent writing
. Thanks for the encouragement
You don't need any encouragement! I would guess that you have more fans than I do.