What Comes Next for Us?

For many older adults, we are approaching or have reached the stage of life where we are no longer working full time as we have in the past. For some, this is a blessing, and an opportunity to spend time with extended family and friends and to return to activities we’ve enjoyed in the past. For others, this is a challenge, as work has been the main focus of our lives. And we may not have as much of an extended family and network of friends that we think others have.

I will soon embark on the challenge of planning what my ‘next stage’ will look like. Fortunately, over the past ten years through a series of volunteer and paid assignments, I have become increasingly involved in helping older adults to live richer lives. I will no doubt continue to do so, with organizations I have helped previously as well as others I may find. Between Social Security and income I’ve been able to accumulate, my financial situation should be good for a while.

While I am still in the process of figuring this out, I would like to offer tips to others who might be dealing with a similar situation. Some ideas:

• Whatever you decide to do, be sure to include other people. It can be tempting to spend much of your time alone, but it is much more satisfying to include other people. Especially look for opportunities to include those who are younger and older than you, and who have different interests
• Take care of your health. Eating well, preferably including an assortment of vegetarian food, is the place to start. Staying physically active is also important – you pick what type but make sure to do it regularly
• Look for ways you can be of service to others. Volunteering has always been part of my routine, and it will continue to be. It helps you take the focus off yourself.
• Maintain your existing friendships and look for ways to develop new relationships. Don’t wait for others to call you; take the initiative to reach out first. Almost always, your initiatve will be appreciated.
• Spend a part of every day focusing on what you have to be grateful for. The more you do it, the more easily it will be to recognize all that you already have in your life.

Most importantly, be patient if it takes time to ‘figure it out.’ Talk to others who have already entered this new stage of life, and be confident that although it may take time, you will be OK too.