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OK, I’m starting to sense a certain outlook change now that I’m 60.
I’m sure there are lots of people out there that start wonderful new adventures at age 60, but I think, for most of us, that feeling that the path is wide open is over. That “open road” feeling you had in your 20s, 30s & 40s—that life could still potentially take you anywhere—has passed.
If you haven’t already done it, you’re probably never going to:
—move to Paris
—became a famous musician
—join the Peace Corps
—become a doctor
—become so rich you never have to worry about money
—move to the other coast
—buy an RV and travel the country (actually, I think some people DO do that in their 60s)
—leave your spouse and run off with an old flame
—have children
—learn to cook
—get a graduate degree
—make the Olympic team
I’m not saying these things can’t happen in your sixties, but they usually don’t. Those big forks in the road are in the rearview mirror and your focus shifts to the twenty good years or so that you hopefully have left. Sadly, too many people are consumed by health and money worries in their 60s, but if you’re lucky enough to not have to worry about basic needs, you may want to return to fulfilling creative pursuits like painting or writing, or focusing on being fully present with family and friends, or traveling to your bucket list destinations.
The dreams are different now. And there are fewer of them.
50 Happens 
Agree. But buying an RV and travelling – I think that’s something that actually happens after your 60 or even 70th birthday, not before 😉 At least when I look at the people travelling in huge, expensive motorhomes or caravans here in Europe… Young people would never have enough time or money…
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True! Younger people take more spontaneous, cross country road trips in cars, but those big luxury RVs are mostly seniors. Not only are they expensive, but you have to make reservations to dock those things months ahead of time.
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Well I think you are wrong about running off with an old flame thing. “Grey Divorce” is very much in vogue these days – and creating all kinds of drama for women who have little superannuation because of their child raising duties.
And is it a bad thing that our outlook changes? Maybe in our younger years we were encouraged to achieve too much? In retrospect, are we any better for it really? ( We need to sit and have a wine, Mary)
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Oh, that would be so nice to have wine with you May! I absolutely love your attitude about aging. You are my favorite retiree on WordPress. Very inspiring!
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I love the high school photo. Our class did something similar. Do high schools still do this?
I’m approaching 60 and I can think of a few things that fall off my list. Maybe time for a new list?
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I think the smaller high schools might still attempt a senior class photo. (My kids’ HS was too big I think.)
Endless possibilities can be overwhelming. Maybe acceptance and gratitude are the keys now!
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