Turning 60 marks a new chapter in life—one filled with opportunities to shape your golden years. While the word “retirement” might bring to mind images of relaxed mornings, time with loved ones, and long-overdue travels, it’s also a time to take stock and plan intentionally for the future.
For years, you may have focused on working hard and meeting your financial goals, whether it was buying a home or going on a dream vacation, completing estate planning necessities of property protection wills and trusts, and saving up a nest egg for retirement. However, life after 60 is more about how you want to live, thrive, and enjoy the years ahead.
Even though it might be more difficult to cross things off your to-do list in your later years than it was when you were twenty years younger, this does not mean that you will have no options left when you retire. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Here’s a list of 5 things you can plan and prioritise to make the most of your life after 60.
1. Focus on Your Health and Fitness Levels
Many believe that life after sixty is all about facing an inevitable physical decline and grappling with age-related ailments. This does not have to be true if you’re willing to prioritise your health and well-being throughout your life. While there is no denying the fact that bodies change after 60, learning how to make the right choices for your body can make a world of difference.
Understand your current fitness levels and modify your lifestyle to maintain or improve your fitness levels. Incorporate a regular physical activity that you enjoy doing, whether it’s brisk walking around your apartment block or practicing pilates.
In addition to this, pay attention to what you put on your plate. You may have heard the saying, ‘You are what you eat’, which means your regular diet can have a lasting effect on how you function. As you grow older, drive the focus on your gut health to avoid digestive issues. A balanced diet containing natural sources is the key to maintaining optimum health and fitness well into your retirement years.
2. Attend Community Events
When you were younger and led a hectic work life, you may not have had much time to participate actively in your community. Now that you’ve left the daily grind behind and have time on your hands, consider participating in the community by attending local events.
Joining your neighbourhood community and socialising with people having similar interests as you is a great way to stay active, engaged and social during your retirement years, especially if you are living alone.
Attending, participating in, or volunteering for community-led activities gives you a chance to contribute to causes, interests and activities that you find meaningful. It’s also a perfect way to transition from an active work life to working at your convenience while supporting the community.
3. Build New Financial Relationships
After 60, you are supposed to enjoy the fruits of your labour instead of worrying about money. However, this is not the case for those with existing financial challenges. If you don’t feel like your finances are in place, it’s not too late to make some changes.
The obvious step is to revisit your expenses and check for ways to cut down on unnecessary spending. However, this does not mean you can not enjoy your hard-earned money; the key is to make it last as long as possible.
Consider a side income by leveraging your experience and expertise in a part-time job or freelancing. It will not only keep a steady stream of income coming in but also give you an opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences.
4. Travel
Life post sixty means unlimited vacation time! It’s your chance to get out and explore the world and satiate your wanderlust. Enjoy the flexibility to take extended vacations alone or with family and friends. Not only that, you also get to make the most of last-minute deals on flights and hotel bookings.
Explore domestic destinations in the UK or get ready to journey afar across the seas to Latin America, Southeast Asia, and destinations down under.
Alternatively, if you’re an enthusiastic driver, hit the open road and drive across the country for the ultimate road-tripping experience. You can also venture on a vacation in the sea aboard a cruise ship. Cruises that offer all-inclusive experiences are popular among retirees and a fun way to travel internationally.
5. Learn Something New
Living your life in your golden years can become mundane and boring after a while. After checking off most things you were too busy to do in your working years, take the time to learn something new. Become a student all over again, whether it’s to learn a new language or take up a new hobby.
Contrary to popular notion, learning something new post turning sixty is more than possible. You may seem hesitant at first and may not be confident enough, but don’t hold back. Make mistakes, stay at it and enjoy the renewed opportunity of discovering something new.
Summing Up
For many, life after sixty may seem like the most relaxing and carefree time of their lives. If you’re ready to seize it, you can plan the life that you want to live and truly have a quality retirement, while having something new to discover and explore every step of the way.
Look at your sixties beyond a destination to hang up your boots, but a new way to embrace life and live it to the fullest.
