Why Sixty is not the new Forty

The medical report started by stating “This 60-year old woman….” As I read this, I found myself almost looking around… do they mean me? It sounded more like my mother, but I guess I have arrived at this landmark age.

They say that 60 is the new 40, which of course, is good to hear, but women my age are not facing the same issues as our 40-year old sisters. It really is a time of transition as relationships and friendships change; people retire and move away or your body betrays you and you find yourself unable to ignore symptoms you’ve been trying to deny.

Several of my friends have lost their husbands. So instead of the couple enjoying their golden years together, their widows are left seriously questioning their futures. Two of them don’t have children, so they really are on their own. Too old probably to find a job even if they wanted one, but too young to be put out to pasture.

Other friends are in the midst of getting rid of their partners, having decided that they want their third stage in life to be happier and more fulfilling. But that’s a brave step into the unknown and financial security at this age has to be an issue.

And suddenly you could do with some spare parts as your body starts to fail and fall apart. Illness can creep up on you, making you realize that you aren’t 40 any more and you need to pay attention to your body and treat it with respect. But as someone who started in her 50s, trust me, it is never too late to start working out.

The transitional stages do leave you in a flux, wondering what will happen next and whether you will have any say in your destiny. It’s harder to sleep at night as all these thoughts bounce around in your head. “What if this…? What if that…?”

Change is not easy at any age, especially if you don’t have control over what is happening to you. All you can control is your attitude. Letting go is part of moving forward, and as you declutter your life, it can be very freeing.

It is probably easiest to start with the stuff that has snuck into your home and then move on to revamping your relationships. Whether you are in business or not, it is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you and have your best interests at heart.

And there are some advantages to getting older. Make your bucket list and get cracking.

What are you waiting for? It’s a time to be outrageous; to do what you’ve always wanted to do or say what you want to say (within reason).

People will make excuses for you. After all, you’re now a senior.