Approaching midlife can be scary, especially if you look back over your life and wonder what could’ve happened instead of what you actually did.
So as so many celebrities I’ve grown up with have turned or will turn 60 recently, it made me wonder what did I do over my lifetime. With that thought, I decided to create a list of things that I think everyone should do before the age of 60.
One thing that makes it scarier is feeling like you haven’t accomplished all the life stuff you set out to do in your teens or 20s.
By now, you may have seen more of other parts of the world than you’ve actually seen of your own hometown because you’ve been a good little Pythagorean and mastered the straight line between A and B and never got beyond point C.
But now is the time to get lost, at least metaphorically. Take that road you’ve never taken. Go to work by bus instead of train. Or get really radical, and walk somewhere. Mix it up. And be sure not to plan too much.
Many of us have a passport “just in case,” but instead of waiting to win the lottery or for a lonely millionaire with a yacht to show up on your doorstep, take control of your vacations and book a trip out of the country. And yes, Canada and Mexico count, and will definitely stamp your passport. Or consider going to the place you always dreamed of as a child or the country of your ancestors.
Ok, so you probably have a collection of these shoes and comic books, or like to do certain activities over and over again and that’s great, but what about something new? It’s time to see if you like doing something else continuously. What else out there might bring you joy? Find out just by seeing what other people’s hobbies are and then trying them for yourself.
We unconsciously do things by thinking about what other people think. Like when we buy or try on clothes, we usually have this thought in mind: “What will people think or say when I wear this?” Well, at age 50 it’s time to do it if you like it! So what if they talk?! Live your best life and that includes wearing something that brings joy to you and nobody else.
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No one wants to think about death but Newsflash: It’s gonna happen. Probably not today and hopefully not soon but death comes for everyone eventually. And when it does, do you want your kids’ most poignant memory of that time to be the gigantic fight over your collection of rare pickle jars? So sit down, write up a will allocating the important stuff, sign it (preferably in the presence of a notary), and then tell everyone you care about where it is.
It’s time. Time to stop sitting on the sidelines and wondering “What if?” It’s time to do more than just post a picture on social media or just say that you’re praying for some cause. It’s time to do something about it. Go go, write that senator a letter, demand change from your city councilmen and women, and find out how you can make a change in your community. You ARE an agent of change, so let’s do something.
If your immediate question is “Why would I need therapy?” perhaps you should really ask “Why wouldn’t you need therapy?” Even if your life is going great at the moment, everyone has
their ups and downs, and a professional can help you strengthen your inner reserves and develop better coping skills. Plus, when else are you not only allowed but expected to talk about nothing but yourself for an hour?
Let’s say you’ve done pretty well in life, climbed the corporate ladder, made it to the top, and love the view. Congratulations. Now what? Compassion for those who didn’t catch the same breaks is a pretty good place to start the cool-down from your career marathon.
The next time you dine out, look for someone who is alone, perhaps sad or troubled or less fortunate than yourself, and pay their waiter for their meal, anonymously. It might make a difference in their life and it will certainly make a difference, for the better, in yours.
Over half of Americans report “substantial” worries about money, according to a recent Gallup poll. And one of the biggest causes of money woes is debt, particularly credit card debt. Thanks to their ease of use (swiping a card almost doesn’t feel like spending money at all!) and low-interest rates, it’s easy to quickly rack up more debt than you know how to do with.
Once you’ve been established with a home and a job for a long time, it can be easy to forget how close we all really are to the edge. Share what you’ve been given with those less fortunate for an instant priority check and to do a little good in the world.
Want an insider look at how our election process works on the ground level? Sign up to work as an election judge. Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve any actual “judging,” but rather making sure the voting process runs in an orderly and proper manner. You get to see all the ins and outs while still providing a vital service to your community. To sign up, Google “election judge” and enter your state for instructions.
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Pick someone from your past who you feel deserves to be forgiven for a previous wrong. Or, better yet, pick someone who doesn’t deserve it and forgive them anyhow. Even if it means nothing to them, it will make you feel so much lighter.
According to marketing communications professional Kerry O’Malley, the steps to a successful apology at work include acting quickly, showing up in person, explaining what happened and how you’re going to avoid the problem in the future, saying “I’m sorry,” and making restitution.
Not only will apologizing help the person who was offended forgive you; but it may also help soothe your guilty conscience.
You learn about the plant life cycle as a child but you can’t fully appreciate the magic of it until you’re an adult and have nurtured a plant from seed to maturity. Gardening—or as we like to call it, playing in the dirt—is one of the oldest hobbies for a reason. It’s good for your mind, body, and soul, especially if you reap what you sow.
Even if it’s falling in love with yourself (forgiving yourself is something we all need to do), fall in love with someone, kiss them like you mean it and tell them every chance you get just how much you love them. This time, don’t just tell them, show them that you love them too. If they don’t get it, it’s cool because you have a lot of love to give.
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