Living Boldly

Note: I wrote this article for my newsletter, “70+ Navigating Your Life.” This information applies to the old and young.

As we grow older, things change. Perhaps our family gets spread out. Children move to other locations because of job demands or their preferred locations.

You may move to a warmer climate for your health or to avoid the winter.

You can sit in your easy chair and let life pass you by, or take your life in your hands and boldly embrace your life with confidence and joy.

Things Change

If you stay in your home neighborhood, you may find yourself alone as the people you know move away. It is easy to fall into a case of isolation. This can be devastating to your mental health and wellbeing. The opportunity to make new friends may seem impossible.

You deal with the same issue if you move to a warmer climate. Your old friends are back in your old neighborhood. Your family is a distance away. You are alone. The thought of making new friends can, again, seem impossible.

Sounds very dreary. Doesn’t it?

Good news! It doesn’t have to be.

Things You Can Do

Here are a few tips to help you boldly embrace your life with confidence and joy.

Have weekly communication with your family and friends. Thanks to technology, you can easily do this. Set up a Zoom call. It is easy to do. All you need is a computer with a camera. You can also use a tablet or even your smartphone.

Look for opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. It helps you in several ways.

• First, you get out of your home and into the world.

• Second, you get to meet new people. Not everyone you meet will become a close friend, but you may meet people who can become close friends over time.

• Third, you get the opportunity to help someone else. It’s a win-win all the way around.

Set up weekly or monthly travel days. If you still live in your neighborhood, there likely are places near you that you have never been to. Expand your horizons and visit nature centers, state parks, museums, zoos, interesting small towns, Art Fairs, and other exciting locations you can see on a day trip. It is incredible how many people have never visited a world-class place near their home.

For example, I am from the Detroit area. There are several attractions considered “world-class” in the Detroit area. These include the Detroit Institute of Art, The Henry Ford (Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum), and the Detroit Zoo. I have met many locals who have never been to any I mentioned. It sounds impossible, but it is true. I am sure your local has attractions that you have not visited. Now is the time to make a local travel plan.

If you move to a new area, you will have many opportunities to explore new places and attractions. Check with your local county travel bureau or search the web for exciting things to do in your new home area.

Now is the time in your life to take up a new hobby. You have time on your hands. Why not look for a new hobby by taking available classes in your area? There are so many possibilities:

• Photography

• Painting

• Drawing

• Scrapbooking

• Stamp collecting

• Coin collecting

• Model railroading

• Miniatures

• Gardening

• Music

• Yoga

• Chess

• Community Theater

• Hand-made greeting cards

• Learn a new language.

• Quilting

• Book Club

• Pickleball

• Birding

• Knitting

That is the shortlist! You see, there are so many new things you can do.

The most important thing you can do has to do with your attitude. If you approach something new with a negative point of view, you will likely have a negative experience. A positive attitude goes a long way. So, what can you do to keep positive?

• Focus on the positive things in your life. Don't dwell on the negative. Negative things happen. Yes, it sucks. But you can’t let the negative get control. Don’t be the “bitter old person.”

• Learn to be grateful for positive everyday occurrences. You might even start a journal where you document the good things that happen to you each day.

• Laughter is the best medicine. Look for things that make you laugh. It may be a TV show, a magazine, or going to a standup comedy show. The important thing is to find things that make you laugh.

• Fuel your body and your soul. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet. Make time for daily exercise. And get enough sleep.

• Finally, step outside your comfort zone. Try new things. Embrace new experiences.

70 is the new “whatever you want it to be” time in your life. You are only as old as you allow yourself to be. Look forward, not back.

Chart the course for the rest of your life. Fill it with positive experiences and new friends. Be bold. Be active. Be confident. Be positive in all you do.

And most of all, live this time of your life with confidence and joy.

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Helpful Link

Don’t know how to use Zoom? Just click on the link to access the article.

Step-by-step Guide to a Zoom Meeting.

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Thomas Dean created the graphic in this article using Canva.

© Thomas Dean