Do you want to spend your 60s alone? Probably not!
The thought of being lonely and not having anyone to rely on to give us a glass of water seems daunting for many of us. This goes beyond the Social Security check, an additional source of income, or health concerns.
The simple thought of being all by yourself for a few decades is crazy, but unfortunately, it’s a reality for many seniors. Sometimes, it’s only a result of the annoying habits we’ve cultivated over the years.
While everyone is free to do whatever they want, psychologists recommend avoiding a few things to ensure you don’t spend your 60s alone. These tips are all about human connection, being genuine, and being helpful, so nothing crazy. So, without further ado, if you want to have people around you for the rest of your life, here are the things you should do:
1. Be forgiving
Trust me, I understand how upset someone can make you feel. Maybe they did something wrong, betrayed you, or went behind your back; it doesn’t matter. Even though a grudge is often the result of a huge argument, it shouldn’t last for years.
Just imagine how much time and energy you spend holding onto that grudge. Your mental health will suffer; you’ll have heartache; and you’ll lose someone you were close to. Even though you might not want to speak to them again, try to have some closure. Write down in a letter the things you wish you’d said or how you wanted things to end, forgive them, and let go.
On the other hand, if there’s still something in your relationship that’s worth fighting for, reach out to them and have an honest conversation regarding what happened. If you all have the strength and the forgiveness to let things in the past, then do it.
Not only can it help repair old connections, but it can also open up new opportunities for meaningful relationships as you enter your 60s and beyond. Besides that, you’ll release all that negative energy, and you’ll feel more peaceful and happier!
2. Be mindful of your health
If you don’t want to spend your 60s alone, you need to treat your health as a priority. There’s nothing more annoying than someone who can’t be bothered by their health but constantly complains about pain.
This isn’t about your children or going to an asylum. If you don’t take care of your health, you can’t engage in different activities, such as walking in the park, shopping at your local supermarket with your friends, or joining a dance class with your peers. You’ll be more likely to spend your 60s alone if you can’t physically take part in activities. Take care of yourself, start slow, and then slowly build up.
You can begin with a simple walk in the park, a few stretches to help your blood flow and increase flexibility, and then move to a longer walk, maybe even a hike. There are lots of workouts on YouTube to try out, whether you want to work with your body weight, resistance bands, or weights. I personally like to keep my muscles strong by incorporating strength-training exercises into my day. I use two light resistance bands, such as these, and I do squats, lunges, bicep curls, pushups, lunges, and even ab exercises.
Your body and mind will thank you! If you want to be around your grandchildren and not spend your 60s alone, try incorporating more movement into your day! You won’t regret it!
3. Stay up to date technology
Whether you’re a tech geek or not, no doubt staying up-to-date helps you not spend your 60s alone. We live in a digital age, so technology can keep us connected. It’s a great opportunity for engagement and communication, and you can easily find a community to join.
However, not all seniors like to stay up-to-date because it can be overwhelming. But if you don’t want to spend your 60s alone and would love to connect with your friends and family even if they’re hundreds of miles away, you should learn how to start video calls and navigate social media platforms. I’m pretty sure you’re already pro at this, so the next step is to find a local community you have similar interests in. Who doesn’t need more friends, anyway?
4. Overcommitting
A period of my life was spent saying “yes” to everything. I was constantly moving, whether it was taking on extra work assignments or volunteering for neighborhood events. I believed I was staying in touch by staying busy.
But as time went on, I saw that my relationships were suffering due to my overcommitment. I barely had time to spend with my loved ones or make new friends because I was so busy with my duties.
While I always encourage people to get involved in different things and give back to their communities, it’s also important to nurture the relationship with your spouse, friends, and family.
Long story short, the problem is that overcommitting can turn into a habit that prevents us from having enough time for deep social connections. It’s similar to feeling completely alone in a crowded environment. So, if you don’t want to spend your 60s alone, make sure you nurture the relationships you have.
5. Don’t play it safe
Choosing to stick with what is known and comfortable might seem like the best option. When you can effortlessly cruise in calm waters, why disturb the peace?
Well, if you don’t want to spend your 60s alone, it might be a smart idea to stop playing it safe. Sometimes, always being in your comfort zone can cause you to stay stagnant and isolated. Moreover, it might also keep you away from discovering new hobbies, getting to know different people, or developing new abilities.
For example, if you’ve always wanted to join a book club but have put it off because you’re not a big reader, you’re essentially missing out on the opportunity to meet like-minded people.
Take a chance and start exploring new ground. Forget about staying in the same place just because it’s comfortable. Taking on new challenges, such as discovering a new hobby, enrolling in a class, or just striking up a conversation with a stranger, can result in amazing self-discoveries.
6. Don’t ignore your mental health
You’re probably sick of reading this, but your mental health is very important. If you don’t want to spend your 60s alone, start treating it as a priority. As you already know, anxiety and depression can trigger withdrawal from social gatherings, which in turn can make you feel isolated and unhappy.
If you find yourself constantly feeling exhausted, not in the mood to socialize, anxious, or simply apathetic, it’s a sign you should confront these feelings rather than avoid them.
These can be pretty difficult to deal with, so seek professional help if needed. If you want to learn how to understand yourself better and how to deal with your emotions in a healthy way, here’s a fantastic book to check out.
Would you like to spend your 60s alone? How is your retirement looking so far? Let’s chat in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this article and want to check out something else from Retirement in USA, here’s something you might like: Downsizing for Retirement: 5 Must-Knows Before Selling Your Home
