My first email on Tuesday, February 28, was Gary Foster’s newsletter (Making Aging Work), and, of course, it named some folks who are older – as I am – and still working, still kicking, still living large.
Gary mentioned Marc Freedman, CEO/founder of Encore.org (now called CoGenerate.org, and the idea of reimagining life after 60 to include some form of “work” … a time when many are looking forward to retiring from their work.
So, naturally, as I so often do, I looked for Marc on LI, saw others who had commented on his latest post, and look at their profiles and posts! (Yes, I am an LI junkie… I love diving down those “rabbit holes.”)
What I found is central to my life – that so many other early Boomers have NO plans to actually retire. They’ve found new ways to stay active, whether by helping others in nonprofits, starting their own business based on their love of something, or pivoting from what they used to do and making it work at this age.
For me, it was a wonderful trip, because I love seeing how my generation has continued to thrive in ways our parents rarely even considered.
A few years ago, I realized the power of showcasing the energy of us older folks, thanks to a young man (he’s young enough to be my grandson!) named Gustavo Zylberberg, who founded Vitalcy. I met him thanks to Dennis Pitocco, the Chief Reimaginator and Founder of 360o Nation and BizCatalyst 360o. Gustavo and those who write for Vitalcy celebrate those over 50 … over 60 … over whatever age used to be deemed “OLD” and not active any more.
And, no. I am NOT putting down anyone who does decide to retire – of course, even that word isn’t what it used to be, right? It can certainly include being very active in many ways.
I just love the choices that we now have.
At nearly 77, I can see the world through friends and colleagues on the internet, I can learn from folks everywhere on this small planet we all inhabit, I can help authors with their content, and I can enjoy the gift of getting up every morning with one or more projects to tackle that keep my mind alive. It’s a way of life that suits me to a T, and I’m grateful to be allowed to live it this way.
So for me, being old means looking back and feeling pure gratitude for the unknown man and woman who bequeathed me the genetics I have, for the wonderful man and woman who took me into their family and gave me love, and for all the family/friends/colleagues/strangers who have given/continue to give so much to me and others, leading the way towards a better life for us all.
I am grateful beyond measure that I’m alive to see all this happening!
For those reading this … I welcome your thoughts. What are YOUR plans as you continue to age? What will make your life even better than it is right now? How will you make that happen?
Hi Susan I’m 65 years old and on disability I was just thinking about trying to work when I hurt my back. I refuse to consider myself old. My mother worked till she was 70 and as soon as she retired passed away from a leaky heart valve. she’s worked to keep her and my dad insured and for xtra mad money for herself she loved to gamble. As we know retirement age keeps getting older. I stay young through my writings and reading as well. keeping my mind busy all the time. I am also writing my Memoirs of abuse as a child and into adulthood. This site Bizcatalyst360 has given me so much more of a voice than I ever had before. It’s opening up doors for me that I never knew were there. I have a great deal of respect for all the writer’s here and the concepts of REIMAGINATOR. I think the trick is to stay busy both physically and mentally and I try to do that. However like I said I hurt my back and am limited on what I can do physically. But my self esteem has grown in bounds and I am blessed to be one of the featured writer’s here. That old saying You are only as old as you feel rings true for me. Love your article and thoughts in this.