Being old doesn’t mean that life is over; depending on how you look at it, it could just be the beginning. When you’re in your 50s and over, there’s never been a better time to tick off everything you’ve always wanted to do! If you’re curious, check out our list, as we’ve rounded up the top 20 things you can officially start doing!
Wear Shoes Because They’re Comfortable—Not Stylish
Perhaps you’ve had a high-flying career where you had to wear high heels or tight brogues that perpetually gave you blisters. You always resented the shoes you had to wear, but now that you’re old, you don’t have to; comfort is the new style, and it’s the least your feet deserve after all those years. Bria Communities states, “It’s common for seniors to experience a decrease in the fat padding on the bottom of the feet, which means the bones in your feet experience more impact as you walk; feet often become weaker as joints become stiff, arches flatten, and tendons and ligaments lose strength. These changes mean the feet don’t have as much natural support and therefore need to get that support from shoes and slippers.”
Refuse to Go Anywhere Without a Parking Lot
Even the best of us get overwhelmed when we need to park somewhere downtown or on a busy street. Now that you’re old, your cognition isn’t what it used to be, and the thought of navigating claustrophobic streets is too much. From now on, you’ll seek out places with a parking lot—preferably senior parking near the entrance.
Go at Your Own Pace
Life gets busy, and before you know it, you’ve gone decades without slowing down your daily pace. You’ve always said you must take things easy and not overdo it, but life keeps you swamped. Now that you’re old, you can officially set the pace and take time out to relax when you need it.
Take Public Transport for Free
If even parking lots are too much for you these days, the good news is that there are perks to taking public transport everywhere. Most public services have senior discounts, and you might even be able to ride for free. Forget parking or stopping for gas—just take public transportation! For example, Red Rose Transit Authority shares, “If you are age 65 or older, you can ride free through the Senior Free Ride Program, which is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Lottery; eligible seniors may ride the bus for free anytime, on any route.”
Get Good Deals on Holidays
Now that you’re retired or are nearing retirement, you might think it’s time to finally book that dream vacation you’ve always wanted to go on. However, when you look it up, you blanch at the cost! Don’t fret, though, as aging gives you more benefits this time around. The good news is that because you’re old, you’ve got an excellent chance of receiving a discount on flights, accommodation, and transport when you decide to take a trip.
Visit National Parks at a Discount
America is home to some of the world’s most beautiful national parks. If you live near one, perhaps you’ve never visited but always wanted to. It’s high time for that! Not only do you have more time now, but you can also visit at a discount thanks to the Senior Annual Pass or the Senior Lifetime Pass.
Use Your Senior Pass to See a Movie
When was the last time you went to see a movie? When we’re younger, going out with friends to see a movie is a popular pastime, but not so much as we get older. If you can’t remember the last time you went to the movies, recruit some friends and make a night of it! You’ll save with your senior membership, or you can visit movie houses that offer discounts on senior citizens on specific days of the week, such as Showcase Cinemas.
Prioritize Your Needs Above Others
If you’ve spent the last five decades raising a family, you’re probably used to prioritizing everyone else’s needs over yours. It’s second nature at this point, so it might feel strange to be intentionally selfish. However, you’re at an age where a bit of self-love is beneficial. When you’re in your 50s, 60s, or 70s, you must consciously start taking measures to help you care for yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally!
Sit in Priority Seats
Now that you know you can save by taking the bus and avoiding those pesky parking meters, you want to take public transport everywhere. However, you don’t want the stress of navigating to a seat right at the back, where you often can’t see and might miss your stop. Thankfully, being old means you can sit in the senior seats—right at the front. This is also common in many Asian countries, like Japan, Taiwan, and more.
Take the Time to Recover Completely
When we’re sick, most of us allow ourselves only a day or two off work and life to recuperate before returning to it. You’re well versed in this routine, so it seems strange to have all the time you need to let yourself return to normal. It’s essential, though, especially as you age and your body doesn’t bounce back as quickly. At this point, health is wealth; if you need weeks off of something to be 100% again, do it!
Dress the Way You Want
Even if you haven’t had to deal with a strict dress code at work, you’ve probably had friends, family, and even your children tell you how you should dress. You’ve always worried about not dressing for your age. Now, you don’t have to; as a senior, you now recognize that you don’t have to listen to what others say. Life is short; you can dress exactly how you want and not worry about others’ opinions!
Cut Down to Part-Time at Work
The official retirement age in the US is between 66 to 67 years old. So, as someone who’s just turned 60, you might not be ready to retire. When this happens, a good option is to cut down to part-time, which frees you up to recover more from the hours you put in. If your work days have been feeling a lot longer lately—even though you’re working the same time as always—this might be something you need to consider.
Stop Making New Friends and Networking
You’ve most likely spent your entire life networking and making new friends. First, you did this at school and college, then when you had kids, and finally, when you established your career and moved up the corporate ladder. This means two things: you’ve probably got a pretty solid set of friends now, and you can stop making new ones. When you’re in your senior years, revel in the joy of meeting people organically—without any expectations, promises, or commitments.
Follow Your Own Schedule
Work, kids, friends, family—all these things culminate in a tight schedule with a weekly calendar usually full weeks in advance. You’ve done this for so long that it’s all you know, but what’s exciting is that you can change things up a bit. Now that you’re old, semi-retired, and the kids have left home, you can open things up a bit and make your own schedule. Live your life and do everything you couldn’t while working or caring for your young kids!
Tick off Your Bucket List
When we’re younger, we all have the quintessential “bucket list” talk—a discussion about things we’d love to do before we die. Too often, though, life gets in the way, and our bucket list is put on the back burner. Before it’s too late, regroup and start thinking about the things you can tick off first. Find peers willing to go on adventure with you and turn your dreams into reality!
Ask for Support
Because you’ve spent your whole life prioritizing everyone else, asking for help is an entirely foreign concept. You’re used to getting it all done yourself, and if you were honest, you like it that way. However, in old age, sometimes it’s not only nice to ask for support; it’s necessary. We all become a little less independent as we age, which is normal; our physical bodies aren’t the same as they were decades ago.
Invest Time in New Hobbies
How often have you said, “I’ll try that when I’m old”? Too many, probably, and if you’ve always wanted to try a new hobby, whether it’s gardening, frisbee golf, or ax throwing, now’s the time. The National Institute on Aging explains, “Research has shown that older adults with an active lifestyle are less likely to develop certain diseases. Participating in hobbies and other social activities may lower the risk of developing some health problems, including dementia, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.”
Not Worry About Money
We worry about money at all stages of life, whether you’re just out of college or planning to retire soon. However, being old does bring with it the ability to lessen the stress around money. You now have access to discounts, a pension as a financial buffer, and fewer financial dependents, like children, to worry about.
Get Rid of Things You Don’t Need
Ever thought about trying minimalism? When you have children, it’s difficult because they naturally come with a lot of extra things, like clothing, toys, hobbies, and so much more. Now that you’re an empty-nester, you can declutter and get rid of anything you don’t use anymore. Also, aside from making your home more aesthetically pleasing, it ensures it is free of any tripping hazards or mold that may cause you even more harm!
Get Discounted Healthcare
As you age, you’ll likely experience medical issues and need even more comprehensive health insurance or coverage. However, healthcare could be pretty expensive, especially if you’re in the United States. Thankfully, aging doesn’t only come with more health issues; now that you’re old, you can apply for medical assistance because of your age and save hundreds of dollars in health costs.
