In 2017, Road Scholar, the not-for-profit educational travel organization, has initiated an exciting new social media movement designed to invite the world to think differently about growing older.

The campaign has championed the idea that aging adventurously isn’t reserved only for skydivers, hikers and zip-liners; it’s about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and learning new things. It could mean learning a new language, finding somewhere to volunteer or taking a cooking class.

To date, hundreds of Road Scholars have accepted the challenge and participated in a variety of ways, learning about the world and themselves—through journeys of personal growth.

The Sixty and Me website is dedicated to helping boomers, women in particular, reinvent themselves and free themselves from self-imposed or societal limitations. Also this year, Sixty and Me founder Margaret Manning has conducted a survey to see how her community feels about growing older. Overwhelming, the theme is that they are looking forward to enjoying retirement, grandchildren and creating a new, post-retirement life.

“The Sixty and Me community feels that the aging process is not something to be feared, it is something to be celebrated!” Margaret says. “To age adventurously to me means to embrace life with an open mind, wild curiosity, passion and verve!”

Sixty and Me respondents agree:

“Taking things less seriously. Also, I just realized the other day that I am no longer afraid of many things. My husband passed away in 2001 and I have learned to do things, like travel, on my own.” — Jackie

“There is freedom in letting your hair go naturally gray and enjoying your well-earned wrinkles.” — Mary

“Having the time to look for a new adventure in my life.” — Julie

What’s Your Six Word Story?

As a highlight of the #ageadventurously campaign, Road Scholar asked people to tell their personal story in six words or less. More than 1,500 people representing 12 countries, seven Canadian provinces and 49 states responded. Here are the winners:

“Draw new experiences outside old lines.” – Peter, 73, Mesa, Arizona

“Sharing a bath with an elephant.” – Hank, 82, Venice, Florida

“Open minds and muscles to life.” – Carol, 72, Tehacapi, California

What’s your six-word story?

For those of you who want to genuinely make a change for the better but don’t know where to start, we encourage you to take a look at any of the 1,500 educational adventures that Road Scholar offers in 150 countries and all 50 states.

Whether it be studying a new language in a six-week cultural-and-language-immersion program, or simply learning how to be a better bridge player, Road Scholar encourages you to age adventurously.

Check out our Facebook Live post on #ageadventurously campaign and follow us on Facebook:

To learn more about Road Scholar and its educational adventures, please visit RoadScholar.org

About Road Scholar

Road Scholar is the nation’s largest educational travel organization for adults — a true university of the world. This not-for-profit educational organization offers 5,500 extraordinary learning adventures in 150 countries and 50 states. Road Scholars are immersed in a variety of educational activities, enlisting renowned faculty and experts who offer insider access not available to most individuals. Dedicated to making educational travel available to everyone, Road Scholar offers financial aid for those who otherwise could not participate in its programs.

Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for adults since 1975. To learn more, please visit http://press.roadscholar.org/

How would you describe your personal journey in six words? Have you ever been on a Road Scholar adventure? How would you describe it? Please join the conversation.

Editor’s note: This sponsored post was written by the team at Road Scholar. At Sixty and Me, we have a great deal of respect for what this company stands for and hope that you join them on a future adventure.