Many people look forward to their retirement years, but of course, it’s not just not having to work that serves as a benefit here, though that can be nice. In actual fact, the elderly years can be the best years of your life precisely because you’ve had a lifetime to experience the world, yourself, and other people. You’ve learned a few things, and you know how to move forward with confidence.
Moreover, there’s no reason to think you’re “done” now. Some people have inspiring romantic relationships in their seventies, while some enjoy the best vacationing memories they’ve ever had during these years, too.
Our culture tends to celebrate youth, and it’s true that youth is sometimes wasted on the young. But that doesn’t mean that an artificial age is met and then you can never have fun again. Most people young at heart will squeeze the most out of whatever time they have, and if they’re lucky enough to get to their older years (especially when so many are denied this privilege), they tend to feel nothing but appreciation for it.
So, let’s consider exactly why and how the elderly years can be the best of your life, provided you have the right attitude:
You Learn To Let Go
Many people believe that the elderly years are years you spend gathering whatever you can to retain your sense of self – be that ornaments, old belongings, or even just memories. But the truth is that as you get older, you begin to learn what really matters. Your health, your energy, your ability to have your basic needs met, and most of all, family and social connections are all that really matter and are worth having.
As such, you don’t have to be incredibly affluent to enjoy great elderly years, you can simply look to the future with a sense of confidence and do what you can. There’s a great wisdom in learning to let go, be that not caring a hoot about the latest celebrity divorce or not getting involved in needless arguments. This doesn’t mean to say you’re apathetic, only that you reserve your energy for things that matter, something we all wish we learned in our early years.
You Have The Freedom To Be Who You Are
In youth, it’s very hard to figure out who you are and what you want to be in among other people. It’s easy to be influenced by others and worried about meeting their standards, and they’ll be doing the same with you. Sure, it’s good to care about how you present yourself, but the truth is that in your elderly years you aren’t so afraid of being who you are.
It might be that you enjoy a silly pun, or you love nothing more than poetry, or you cultivate niche hobbies that no one would have ascribed to you. Perhaps you’re an 80 year old guy with forty years of experience in the construction industry, and you love ballet through and through. As you can see, sometimes you just need to accept who you are, and rest easy in knowing there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Aids & Services Are Better Than Ever
Sure, the elderly years do have some consequences. You’re probably not going to start skydiving or running marathons anytime soon, and that’s okay. Even if you require extra help, you’d be surprised how sophisticated some of the services out there have become.
From amazing in-home car services for seniors to meal delivery services, prescription deliveries, online content and media, and even substitutes if you can’t socialize on a particular day, you can enjoy everything you need with good communication, the right service, and appropriate booking.
In some cases these services can be subsidized by the local council, such as providing you days out with your peers or discounts for a range of family activities. Make full use of all of these measures, they can be nothing if not enjoyable to deal with and connect you to like-minded people in a similar lifestyle situation.
Family & Friends Are Everything
As you get older you realize that the connections you have always mean the most of all. For that reason, they take on new life. Your relationship with your children and grandchildren will take on a significance like nothing else, and you’ll feel comfortable knowing that when you’re gone, these wonderful people live on with you in their hearts.
What could be better than knowing your most cherished form of love will persist? As mentioned above, you see the things that really matter in your elderly years.
With this advice, you’re sure to see how the elderly years can be the best years of your life.
