Reinventing Yourself After 60 Starts with These 4 Questions

As we reach our 60th birthday, it’s natural to look back and ask where all the time has gone.

Of course, we know “logically,” exactly what we have done with our lives. For the last 6 decades, we built our careers, raised our families and supported our spouses. In our “spare time,” (don’t laugh!) we tried to keep up with our passions and read the occasional book.

For most of our lives, we didn’t need to worry about “reinventing ourselves.” We were too busy living our lives to think about how they could be different. Then, in our 60s, things start to change. As our time starts to free up a bit, the nagging question of what we want to do with our lives resurfaces.

Fortunately, we are not alone on this journey! As members of the Sixty and Me community, we have each other to turn to. We can learn from our collective failures and share in each other’s successes.

Through my conversations with the other women in our community, I have realized that there are several questions that can help you to reinvent yourself after 60. Here are a few of the most important.

What People, Places and Things Are Cluttering Up Your Life?

By the time we reach our 60s, most of us have acquired a lot of “stuff.” On a physical level, this includes all of the furniture, pictures, dishes, electronics, clothes, jewelry and makeup that clutters up our homes. On a slightly higher level, this might include friends who no longer make us happy.

The problem is that our mental world is a reflection of our physical world. When our environments are cluttered, we don’t have room for the possessions or people that could make us truly happy.

I can’t tell you how many women have told me that downsizing in retirement changed their lives. In most cases, what started as a decluttering process, focused on their physical possessions, turned into a complete reinvention of their lives. As their physical environments opened up, they were able to see their friends and acquaintances in a new light. Some of their true friends were people that they spent very little time with. Other people added very little to their lives and asked for a lot of their time.

Read How Do You Know When to Let a Friendship Go, and How Can You Find Your People?

The shift that these women went through wasn’t dramatic. They didn’t throw anyone out of their lives. They simply started to shift their time and attention towards the people that made them happy.

Let Go of Outdated Beliefs

Challenge your long-held assumptions. Are there beliefs you’ve carried for years that no longer align with your current values or goals? For example, the idea that success only comes from a traditional career path or that it’s “too late” to pursue new passions. Reevaluate these thoughts and replace them with empowering perspectives.

Try to adopt a growth mindset. Instead of seeing life after 60 as a time to slow down, view it as an opportunity for reinvention and exploration. Embrace the idea that learning and growth can happen at any age.

Release Unproductive Habits

Identify what no longer serves you. Take a close look at your daily routines and identify habits that drain your energy or time without adding value. Whether it’s spending hours scrolling on social media or putting off activities that bring you joy, let these habits go.

Swap unproductive habits for ones that align with your goals. For instance, replace endless TV time with a hobby you’ve always wanted to try or a walk in nature to recharge your mind.

What Activities Do You Love to Take Part in?

As mothers and wives, we have a tendency to put our passions on the back-burner. After all, there are plenty of everyday tasks to take care of. Who has time for writing, bowling, running or hiking? I’m not saying that we abandon these activities altogether – but, we certainly don’t have as much time to enjoy them as we would like.

Are there any activities that you used to love as a child, or young adult, that you want to pick up again? What have you always wanted to try?

Take a few minutes today and write down one activity from your past that you want to bring back into your life. Then write down one more activity that you have always been curious about. You don’t have to jump in “feet first” and start buying equipment. But, you should at least take one tangible step to explore these potential passions in the next 7 days. Don’t leave this process up to chance. Find an activity (even if it’s just to watch) and mark your calendar. If not now, then when?

Read Why Life After 60 is the Perfect Time to Start Painting.

Also, read Growing into My Love for Gardening.

Is Your Lack of Physical Fitness Stopping You from Following Your Dreams?

This may seem like a strange question to include in this list. It’s not “touchy-feely.” In fact, it’s downright practical… if not boring. That said, if there is one thing that ties together all of the women in our community who have reinvented themselves it’s that they took steps to improve their health.

Getting in good shape is the only way I know to improve every aspect of your life after 60. Exercise helps to keep your brain in good shape as you get a little older. It also gives you more energy to explore your passions. Exercise also helps to improve our physical appearance and gives us the confidence we need to join groups of like-minded people.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. If you enjoy exercising with others, there are so many activities that you can consider – from tennis to hiking. If you prefer to work out alone, simply setting aside a few minutes every morning to stretch can make all the difference in the world.

Read Women Over 55 Should Prioritize Strength and Balance: A Guide to Staying Active and Healthy.

Where Do You Want to Be 10 or 20 Years from Now?

Most women in their 60s underestimate just how long they have to live. If you are turning 60 today, you probably have 20-30 more years on this planet. This is a LONG time. The investments that you make in your health, wealth and happiness now will have a significant impact in the future – and it all starts with having a picture in your head of where you want to be.

Take a few minutes to close your eyes and imagine where you want to be 10 years from now. Where are you living? What kind of people are in your life? What does your daily routine look like? What passions are you exploring?

Keep this picture in your mind as you plan out the next decade. There is almost nothing that you can’t achieve in this amount of time. The trick is to focus on small habits that can be repeated every day. Focusing on your dream life will help you to stay motivated along the way.

How to Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt

Reinventing yourself after 60 can feel daunting, especially when fear and self-doubt creep in. These emotions are natural when stepping outside your comfort zone, but they don’t have to hold you back. Here’s how to overcome these barriers and move forward with confidence.

Reframe Negative Thoughts

Acknowledge Your Inner Critic

Start by identifying the negative self-talk that holds you back. Is it telling you you’re too old, not skilled enough, or that it’s too late? Acknowledge these thoughts but challenge their validity.  

Reframe with Positivity

Replace negative thoughts with empowering ones. Instead of “I’m too old to start something new,” tell yourself, “I have decades of wisdom and experience to bring to this new chapter.”  

Focus on Growth

View fear as a sign that you’re growing. Each step you take toward reinvention is a victory, no matter how small.

Start Small and Build Momentum

Set Achievable Goals

Break your larger aspirations into small, actionable steps. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to paint, start by buying a sketchpad and experimenting for 10 minutes a day.  

Celebrate Small Wins

Each milestone you achieve, no matter how minor, builds your confidence. Did you join a class, declutter a room, or try a new activity? Acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments.  

Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset

Remember, it’s okay to be a beginner again. Trying something new can be a joyful experience when you let go of the need for perfection.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be Kind to Yourself

Reinvention is not a linear process. It’s okay to make mistakes or feel uncertain along the way. Treat yourself with the same kindness and patience you’d show a friend.  

Acknowledge Past Successes

Reflect on challenges you’ve overcome in the past. Use these victories as reminders of your resilience and ability to navigate change.

Embrace Tools for Confidence-Building

Mindfulness Practices

Meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety about the unknown.  

Journaling

Write down your fears and challenge them with rational counterarguments. Journaling can also help clarify your goals and track your progress.  

Visualization

Picture yourself living the life you’re striving for. What does success look like? How does it feel? This mental rehearsal can make your dreams feel more achievable.

Suggested Resources 

Book: The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman  

Podcast: Unlocking Us by Brené Brown – particularly episodes on vulnerability and courage.

Read Writing New Life Chapters After 60.

Also, read Creating the Life You Dream of.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you in the process of reinventing yourself after 60? Which of the questions in this article can you relate to the most? Are there any other questions that you think we should ask as we reinvent ourselves? Which ones?