At 72, I found myself feeling lethargic and uninspired. My life had become predictable, and I struggled to find enthusiasm for anything. I wondered if this was simply a part of aging, but I refused to accept that. I knew I needed to find something that would shake up my routine and bring back the excitement I had been missing.
I started by looking at my hobbies and interests, making a chart of the things I enjoyed and the places I wanted to visit. I considered the advantages and disadvantages of each possibility and began deciding which ones interested me most. This exercise was surprisingly enjoyable and reminded me of things I had once wanted to do but had nearly forgotten.
The power of solo adventures
The most surprising discovery was that I wanted to do something alone, without friends or family. I wanted the freedom to enjoy the experience my way, without anyone telling me what to do. I made another list of things I had wanted to do but had never believed I could, considering the practical limitations and searching online to see if any of these possibilities could become real.
I found opportunities I never knew existed, such as knitting courses in European cities and long walking trails that take days or weeks to complete. I also discovered online groups filled with women in their 60s, 70s, and beyond, enjoying their lives and looking forward to what might come next. This exploration restored something I had lost: a sense of possibility.
Rediscovering curiosity and excitement
One possibility grabbed my attention and I could not stop thinking about it. I began researching whether it was realistic for me, and the more I learned, the more excited I became. I also felt apprehensive, which told me this was not just another pleasant idea. It was something that could genuinely shake up my life.
I am not going to reveal what it was or what I decided. What matters here is that the search itself restored something I had lost. We are never too old to look forward to the future. Being “of a certain age” does not mean we can no longer feel joyful, nervous, curious or excited about doing something new. We do not have to settle for increasingly smaller lives simply because that may be what others expect.
I restored the sense of possibility I had been missing. My familiar routine was interrupted, and I now have something meaningful to anticipate. I feel more energetic and interested in what lies ahead. Rediscovering curiosity and allowing myself to imagine new possibilities gave me exactly the boost I needed.
Is your life beginning to feel flatter or smaller? Perhaps you also need to shake things up. Click for free access to my Substack, Retired Way Out There, where I publish a bi-monthly newsletter and provide handouts. Let’s have a conversation: Have you been feeling dull, bored or uninterested with your routine lately? Where have you searched for inspiration? What kind of thing could shake up the routine?
