Life after 60 can be full of new challenges.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy in the United States in 2007 was 77.9 years old. As people are living longer, the years beyond 60 become even more important. Without career or family responsibilities, those beyond 60 often know what activities they find fulfilling and have the time to learn something new. Whether it's a new financial enterprise, a new home base or a new social circle those years can prove to be some of the most fruitful in which to reinvent your life.
Instructions
1. Move to a new city. If you have always wanted to live in a different area of the country, take the opportunity to do it after 60. If you want to test out a new town without committing long-term, sublet an apartment for a couple of months. Talk to friends who can recommend an individual who has space available to rent. If your children have already relocated to another city, you may discover you see them as much as you would if you stayed put. If you don't want to change cities but do want to see more of the U.S., consider using a recreational vehicle for part of the year.
2. Take classes at your local university or college. Many people devote much of their lives to raising children, building a career or both. With the time available to study, consider taking part-time classes to learn about what interests you. For example, if you have a love of art consider taking a primer on Art History. If you have creative skills, consider participating in a drawing or painting class. Learn a language for an upcoming trip or even for the sake of challenging your ability to speak a new tongue.
3. Take your hobby and turn it into a business. If you enjoy making birdhouses in your garage, start selling them at craft fairs and farmer's markets. You'll have both the benefits of doing something you enjoy and the interaction with members of the community who will buy your goods. Make your enterprise low-risk and focused on something you will be fulfilled doing, whether or not sales are strong. Reinvest into the business any funds you make or place them into a savings account for spontaneous adventures, such as a weekend trip to a place you've never been.
4. Join an athletic club. Keeping fit and active is vital to make the most of the years after 60. Play tennis with friends or join a team sports league designed for adults. The exercise will keep your energy up and the interaction with other participants will enhance your social life. If you're looking for moderate activity with the same social aspect, join a walking group or start one with your neighbors. Balance the athletic activity with intellectual socialization. Gather friends to start a book club or attend lectures put on by notable speakers.
5. Volunteer for an organization or issue that you care about. If you have a lifelong love of animals, volunteer to walk dogs, socialize cats or organize fundraising events for the local shelter. If you have in the past given money to development projects in other parts of the world, contact the organization and ask if you are able to volunteer your time as well. No matter what you do, reinventing your life after 60 should be about making your life the one you want to live.
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