Welcome to May! My birthday is this month, and it always gets me thinking about age. Age has many meanings for me, but each year it brings something new. Much of my life has been looking at my upcoming birthdays and how they will bring something I have planned. Perhaps you are like me and during your life you have been looking forward to or planning for a special date or birthday. For example, I love planning for a vacation or trip. My birthday trip to the top of Kilimanjaro was a year and a half of planning and preparing, but even a weekend getaway is fun planning for me. I have also looked forward to milestones all my life. I was excited to begin school at six, become a teenager at thirteen, get my driver’s license at sixteen, be able to vote at eighteen and twenty-one to drink legally.
Interestingly enough, my attitude about age changed when I was looking at age thirty. I was not looking forward to leaving my twenties, but my older sister told me something that changed my thoughts. She said, “When you reach thirty, you are looked at and treated as an adult.” This statement shifted my paradigm, and my thirties were not so awful. Age has been an adventure ever since. Each decade has had a multitude of learning experiences, goals undertaken, and achievements. So many incredible moments and life accomplishments.
I believe the key to a full and well-lived life is to find your purpose and to move into each year with your unique gifts and embrace your authentic self. Look to your future with thoughts of how you see yourself and where your place is within that realm. Not that these ideas won’t change, but they will ground you and help with your outlook for the future.
To go along with these ideas for what I hope my future holds, I am working more on how I treat myself. I pay attention to how I feel, what I eat, if I am taking care of my skin, as well as getting enough exercise and rest. I work on learning, keeping a positive mindset, and doing what I love to do. I know it’s important to take care of my mental and physical health and stay connected to the people I love. To be mindful and enjoy the moment.
Many studies have shown that aging with purpose can provide protection against Alzheimer’s disease, disabilities, cardiovascular problems, and impairment, and lead to longer, happier lives. Here are a few ways you can work on finding a purpose. Reconnect with your passions, activities, and interests that have always brought joy. Whether it’s playing music, painting, gardening, or playing sports, it’s important to find the things that make you feel alive and fulfilled. Volunteering is another great way to find a purpose. Not only does it help others, but it’s also a great way to find fulfillment in your own life. There are countless organizations and causes that could use your help. All you need to do is find a cause that speaks to you then get involved.
Trying something new and stepping outside of your comfort zone may be the answer to finding a new purpose. This could be anything from traveling to a new destination, learning a new language, or taking up a new hobby. This can give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Studies have shown that some benefits of finding your purpose can include living a longer life and improved mental health. Other benefits include increased resilience and greater personal satisfaction. You also may see stronger relationships with others, enhanced creativity, increased productivity, and better physical health.
My ideas for my next decade are forming and I am looking forward to seeing how it works out. I have specific things I hope to accomplish and experience. My mantra now is, “When I turn…” and I fill this statement with ideas of what will bring me peace, joy, purpose, love, fun, and connections.
“If I can challenge old ideas about aging, I will feel more and more invigorated. I want to represent this new way. I want to be a new version of the 70-year-old woman. Vital, strong, very physical, very agile. I think that the older I get, the more yoga I’m going to do.” – Jamie Lee Curtis
Robin Anne Griffiths–Founder of ReChargeMe Zone * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker * Helping people on a journey for change to live a fuller and healthier life. Find out more at www.rechargemezone.com.
