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How to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

By Joan Senio February 04, 2024 Lifestyle

Our 60s can be an exciting phase of life filled with new possibilities and opportunities. It’s a time to reflect on achievements, recognize our own wisdom, and perhaps nurture ourselves a little more than we’ve done in the last few decades. It may not come naturally to be a bit more self-centered, so it may help to engage in a bit of self-discovery. It will be time well spent, if it enables us to be intentional about how to make the most of life in our 60s.

There Are Really No Boundaries in Our 60s!

This can be a time to explore new hobbies, interests, and even possibly career paths. Or it can be a time to relax and enjoy well-earned comfort and family time, if that’s what you crave and what helps you, personally, to thrive.

Whatever activities you choose to pursue, stepping out of your comfort zone a bit can help you to stay flexible and nimble. If you venture into uncharted territory, you may also discover hidden talents and passions that bring joy and fulfillment to your life.

Let’s talk about some practical ways to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for joyful reinvention and rediscovery.

Life Is Full of Opportunity in Your 60s

As we reach our 60s, responsibilities and commitments may start to ease, allowing for more personal freedom. This newfound flexibility provides the perfect opportunity to prioritize our own desires and embark on adventures that we’ve always dreamed of.

It’s also a wonderful time to make a commitment to immerse ourselves in activities that we are truly passionate about.

Making the most of life in our 60s requires making a conscious effort to live in the present moment. This means being mindful and savoring each experience as it unfolds, appreciating the beauty and wonder of the journey.

By cultivating a present-focused mindset, we fully engage with the adventure at hand and create lasting memories.

Let’s get into how to make the most of life in our 60s.

How to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

1. Stay Active and Healthy

The most important thing to make the most of life in our 60s is very simple and straightforward. We must work to maintain our physical and mental well-being. The good news is that this is easy to understand. The basic rules to follow are unchanged from earlier in life. The challenge? Staying active and healthy, and preserving our physical and mental well-being, may begin to take more of a conscious effort in our 60s.

To fully enjoy the adventures that await us, we need to step up to the plate and prioritize our well-being, first and foremost.

So how can we do this? A few basic commitments to ourselves. We must:

  • Nurture our mind, body, and spirit so we have the energy and vitality to fully savor every adventure.
  • Maintain an active lifestyle that includes regular exercise, such as walking, swimming or yoga.
  • Adopt a balanced, healthy, nutritious diet that provides energy and nutrients we need to thrive.
  • Manage our lifestyle and set boundaries that enable us to get sufficient, quality sleep.
  • Continue to keep our minds active and engaged, through continuous learning and seeking out new adventures and opportunities.

That’s right. Seeking adventure in our 60s is an excellent way to not only maintain our health but to challenge ourselves physically and mentally.

Let’s agree to set wellness goals and engage in activities that sensibly push our limits, such as hiking, kayaking, weight training, learning a new skill or exploring a topic of interest that is new to us.

Pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones helps build resilience and self-confidence while invigorating our spirit.

2. Nurture Existing Relationships and Cultivate New Ones to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

Nurturing relationships is essential at any age, and our 60s are no exception. Surrounding ourselves with loved ones, friends, and a supportive community can bring immense joy and emotional well-being.

These long-standing relationships can provide a sense of familiarity, support, and shared memories. We must:

  • Take the time to connect with others, share experiences, and create meaningful memories together.
  • Reach out to old friends, family members, and acquaintances we’ve lost touch with.
  • Schedule regular catchups, outings, or phone calls to reconnect and invest in those connections.

Entering your 60s can also be an opportune moment to cultivate new relationships.

Social groups are an excellent way to meet others who share common interests. We can seek out local community centers, book clubs or hobby groups that align with our passions. Whether it’s a walking group, or a volunteer organization, these platforms offer opportunities to connect with others who share our enthusiasm.

It’s key to approach new encounters with an open heart and mind and to be open to finding new friendships at any age, as connections can be formed in unexpected places.

Engage in community events, workshops, or online forums, and be receptive to forming bonds with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

3. Make the Most of Relationships, New and Old, to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

It can be easy to sit back and let the younger folks lead the way and set the tone for conversations and activities. But we serve ourselves most by being present and engaging with others. This means actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and being genuinely interested in what others have to say. By fostering connection through meaningful conversations, we build strong and lasting relationships.

Technology can also open up a world of possibilities for connecting with others.

Explore and experiment with social media platforms or online communities. Online forums create opportunities to share experiences, join discussions, and connect with people who may inspire or resonate with your journey.

4. Seek Out New Experiences Outside Your Comfort Zone to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

Entering your 60s doesn’t mean that the thrill of adventure has to come to an end.

In fact, this stage of life presents a remarkable opportunity to adopt a growth mindset, experience new things and seek adventure like never before.

Sign up for classes, workshops, or clubs that align with your interests. Whether it’s art, photography, cooking, music, or any other passion that fuels your creativity, embrace it with gusto. Attend workshops, join clubs, or participate in classes to pursue and refine your skills.

Exploring new activities not only broadens your horizons but also provides opportunities to meet like-minded people and make new friends.

Be curious and embrace the chance to learn and grow alongside new companions. Consider using some of your free time to travel and experience different cultures. Seek out the stimulation of novelty and create lifelong memories.

Welcome the unfamiliar and be open to trying new things. From novel activities to different cuisines, from learning a new language to travelling to new places, from committing to an exercise program to taking up a challenging hobby, the possibilities are endless. Just do something new!

Because stepping outside of our comfort zone stimulates personal growth and creates a sense of vibrant living.

5. Continue to Seek Meaning and Purpose to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

As you enter your 60s, it’s natural to reflect on your life’s purpose and the legacy you want to leave behind. Take the time to identify what truly matters to you and aligns with your values.

And then brainstorm ways to become more fully committed and active in ways that demonstrate who you truly are and what you stand for.

Volunteer work is a possible means to align your actions to your principles and values and it not only benefits your community but also provides an avenue for connection and purpose. Identify causes or organizations you feel passionate about and offer your time and skills.

Volunteering also brings people together, fostering camaraderie and forming new connections built on shared values.

Whether it’s giving back to your community, mentoring others, or pursuing a cause close to your heart, finding meaning and purpose can bring immense fulfillment – and open doors to new relationships and experiences.

How to Make the Most of Life in Your 60s

As you work to stay healthy, fit, and active, and explore new opportunities, don’t forget to celebrate the milestones and accomplishments you’ve already achieved in life, and the new ones that you are encountering, along your path of continued growth and development.

Your 60s are a time to acknowledge your accomplishments and be proud of the person you’ve become, as well as to continue your ongoing journey of self-discovery.

Continue to seek out opportunities and savor each moment with gratitude and enthusiasm.

Let’s start a conversation about how to make the most of life in your 60s!

Thank you as always for reading.

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Let’s Have a Conversation:

What adventures have you pursued recently that you would recommend to others? Do you know others in their 60s who you admire? What principles do they represent? How are they a good role model for others? Was there an active grandparent or family friend or colleague in your earlier life who demonstrated what it looks like to be an active, vibrant, 60-year-old? What does it look like to you, to make the most of life in your 60s? How will you know you’re achieving your goal of a fulfilling, meaningful phase of life? What actions can you take this week, this month, this year to align your activities with your intentions?

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Ingrid

Wow what an awesome article! I’m pursuing an MBA at 61 yo. Working. I am thinking to join a community singing group even tho I’m rubbish at singing. Being active is the hard one – but I have a big house and garden so figure that just keeping busy doing that is good. I have, at times, been too sedentary as a result of my job and netflix evenings. I’m documenting my activity during the week. Ideally I’d like to go for a walk or cycle 3x pw but not happening so far due to feeling very tired after work. I am taking healthy lunches to work (salad and chicken sandwiches etc) and stick to the 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbs and 1/2 vege style of dinner. I’m a bit of an alky but trying to cut back so not having a g&t or wine EVERY night.

Last edited 9 months ago by Ingrid
Joan

Ingrid, I love that you are pursuing an MBA! I’ve been considering going back to get a second degree in psychology because that’s my passionate area of interest. I’m with you on the sedentary challenge, for sure. I spend all my day in front of a computer! I made a promise to myself that this year I would put on my walking shoes in the morning so I’m ready to go, and when I can take a short break, I walk to the mailbox. And somehow, when I do that, it gets much easier to keep going. We’ll see how long that lasts!

Ingrid

Thanks for reading and commenting Joan! I thought your article was spot-on. Super, in regards to a Psychology degree! Although be aware that it’s quite theoretical (I’ve studied psychology at uni myself). There are mostly people straight out of school, so the students don’t have a lot of life experience to draw on.

Janel

Take flying lessons! It puts it all in perspective and the countryside is breathtaking from above.

Gerry

Electric plane I hope. Burning fossil fuels for fun is not grandchild-friendly.

Carol Aleksiuk

Tell that to all the wealthy stars and singers etc who fly their private jets country to country and not for any important reason Gerry.
My new adventure at 72 is paddle boarding. Just working on the balance act. Determined to stop falling off eventually.

Joan

That is so exciting. I think it’s awesome when we intentionally do something outside of our comfort zones to inject novelty into our lives and especially if it helps us experience the awe and wonder you describe in the clouds!

The Author

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. She is an entrepreneur, author and consultant. Joan is passionate about the study of positive psychology and is an active personal development mentor and coach to women of all ages. Joan can be contacted at what.i.have.learned.so.far@gmail.com.

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