Playing The Long Game
First, apologies for the delayed publication, but that is what happens when the 4th of July falls on a Tuesday!
I started Holos as I don’t believe life after 50 is downhill. And I knew a lot of other people felt the same way, but no one was really talking about what the alternative looked like. Just a couple of years later and I am thrilled to see this belief system and mindset seem to rapidly be changing. But we are still not shown enough examples of people living their best lives after 50.
Today’s article is a shoutout to those people I know who are thriving beyond 50 and well into their 80s. These are the people I turn to when I get frustrated or despair because I haven’t figured it all out. But if they can do it, so can I!
This is not to underestimate the challenges of this next stage of life. There is not necessarily a clear path to finding purpose and fulfillment. Each person’s journey is unique, but finding people who inspire you because they have figured it out can help. It is fuel for those moments when you are feeling uncertain, or are lacking motivation, or feel dejected because things are hard.
I hope these examples provide a little inspiration of how rich life can be after 50.
Who Are These Inspiring People?
I have started “collecting” people over 60 who inspire me – who demonstrate through their everyday actions that life in your 60s, 70s, and 80s can be rich, vibrant, engaged, meaningful, and beautiful. They all demonstrate energy, vitality, and an undiminished zest for life. They are having a ball and love life.
When I stopped to think further about why they inspire me, it was because they shared certain traits which resonated with my personal values (names have been changed to protect their privacy):
They seek out new experiences and opportunities to learn new things.
I played golf the other day with a Julie, a 66 year-old woman who shared that she recently started teaching HIIT classes, something she had never done before. She picked it up as a way to stay fit and to inspire others in their fitness journeys. Then there is my friend’s mother, Heather, who took up mixed media art in her late 70s and now shows pieces professionally. And Jeff, who after serving on various non-profit boards in the education sector, wants to pivot to a different sector in order to be challenged and learn new things.
They take care of their health and are physically active.
My 83 year-old friend Jeff rides his bike 3+ times a week as well as lifting weights… and can bench press 200 pounds! Julie, who I mentioned above, is an avid cyclist (and golfer) and is getting ready for a week-long bicycle tour. And Heather is still skiing and playing tennis despite having passed her 80th birthday.
They are still working or seek ways to share their skills and experience through paid or volunteer work or mentoring.
I have to give a shoutout to my mother-in-law who at 80 is a force to be reckoned with on the board of her garden club. Every time I speak with her she is pulling together a presentation for her club or is off to represent her club at a garden show. And then there is Barbara, a woman who has been a CEO and Director of a prestigious non-profit. And at 80 years old she has her own consulting firm, works full-time, and serves on numerous non-profit boards. And lastly, my friend Henry who despite being over 80 is still doing deals across Europe, is writing a book, and mentoring young professionals.
They don’t think of themselves as old.
My father-in-law captures the essence of this one. He is the one with the best jokes, funniest stories, and an attitude of “you are never too old.” He is truly young at heart. Or take the aunt of one of my closest friends who is just as competitive as anyone and was recently ultimately victorious in a ferocious game of croquet. I also spent some time with her on the golf course and her ball went straight down the fairway every single time! And my friend Jeff is one of the coolest and most on trend people in any situation…he wouldn’t be caught dead in “old people” clothes! My takeaway? It is perfectly fine to think of myself as perpetually 28 years old.
Susan, Jeff, Julie, Heather, Barbara, and my in-laws have not given up and are definitely not coasting to the end. They are continuing to figure it out each day, as they have the wisdom to know that life is a journey and that you never “arrive.” They are living how I want to live to the very end.
Parting Thought
Take a moment to reflect on the inspiring people in your own life who don’t believe life after 50 is downhill. What traits do you find inspiring? And how can you work to build these in your life now?
To be continued…
