Guest Blog: Antonia Albany on Life After 50

You wake up one morning and all of a sudden you’re in your mid-50s and starting to think about the rest of your life. And you’re afraid it’s going to be all about soft, tasteless food and forgetfulness, hearing aids and trifocals, early-bird specials and multiple trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Try visualizing this instead: it’s the least stressful time of your life where being unburdened of a 60-hour-a-week job, a 30-year mortgage and raising children allows for a freedom never experienced before. Sure, lots of people in their 50s still have jobs and mortgages but there is a shift from the hectic mindset that often accompanies our younger years. We can be more relaxed and happier in our 50s and beyond. It’s possible for everyone, including you.

You’ve been holding in your stomach all your life, let it go. You’ve been covering that ever-widening bald spot for the last 10 years. Go ahead, show us the shine! Be proud that you’ve made it this far in life. Just think, you can let go of trying to keep up with the Jonses. You can sit back and relax and watch the next generation of people jumping through hoops to acquire the latest clothes, cars, jewelry and electronics. There’s no reason to keep up with the latest music (which I find uninspiring at best anyway) and no reason to know what all the current slang terminology means and how to use it.

Making the Most of It
Here are some ideas for insuring your life after 50 is the best it can be:

      Maintain a healthy lifestyle – this is best for ANY age

      Hang out with upbeat people 

      Share your experiences with others – teach or mentor someone

      Let go of worry – meditating works really well for learning to let go

      Make yourself a priority

      If you do feel the urge to complain, keep it to yourself

      Simplify, simplify, simplify – clean out and donate or discard

      Take time to smell the roses

I’m serious. There not only IS life after 50, but it’s a wonderful life. Personally speaking I had a job and financial obligations in my 50s and still do, to a lesser extent, now that I’m 65. But I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I have an abundant life for which I am grateful. It’s a life that isn’t extravagant by any means but it is rich in experiences, including friendships, spirituality and a continuing quest for knowledge. So, be open and embrace all the fun and new experiences of getting older.

Antonia Albany's blog, Antonia's Senior Moments, can be found here.

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