It is a situation that many of us never imagine will be possible: starting over at 60 with nothing. For most of us, it is difficult to imagine working your whole life and still having to start fresh at the age of 60. Traditionally, 60-year-olds are usually winding down their careers and preparing for retirement.
We always have to keep in mind that there are many people out there who are not as lucky.
The fact is, starting over at 60 is a difficult task for anyone. When I get asked questions like this, I always try and tell people to see the silver lining of a situation.
Is starting over at 60 ideal?
Absolutely not. But when life gives us lemons, we always have to think about how we can make lemonade. Here are seven things to consider if you find yourself starting over at the age of 60.
7 Things You Should Consider When You Want to Start Fresh at Age 60
1. It’s Never Too Late
Never too late for what? For anything! It’s never too late to find new passions and live your life to the fullest. At times like this, you shouldn’t be dwelling on the circumstances that placed you here but focusing on how to make the best of it. Find a new hobby, travel, and just live life differently than how you were before.
Finding a new passion can really provide a new driving force in our lives. You just never know what or who you will find! Join a gym or a social club, or take on a new craft.
Even if it doesn’t solve all of your problems, you will be surprised how much it can change your outlook on life!
2. You Have More Experience Than Ever Before
This is true the older we get. You will have never had as much experience as you do now. So how can this help you? Well, for starters, you can potentially avoid all of the same problems and habits that got you to where you are now.
Any problem or negative situation in your life can provide so much valuable experience that will help guide you into the future.
Learn from your mistakes instead of dwelling on them. Think about how many people never get to have a fresh start in life. If you truly are starting over at 60, then you have 60 years of experience to guide you into making the right decisions from this point forward!
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New
At this point, what do you have to lose? Of course, I say that with facetious, tongue-in-cheek humour, but there is an element of truth to it. Don’t be afraid to try something new. It can be as significant as taking a last-minute trip somewhere or as mundane as ordering a cappuccino instead of a coffee.
You might like it and you might not. The point is to live your life differently than you were before and doing something new is the best way to do this.
Have you ever heard the phrase: nobody likes change? While you might scoff at it, there is some level of truth to that as well. A fresh start is an ability to change the very way you live your life, for the better. Before you fall into the same old patterns from before, take this opportunity to be impulsive and brave. I guarantee that in some way you will surprise yourself!
4. There Are Plenty of Opportunities for Older Adults
Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? This goes hand-in-hand with getting out there and trying new things. Embrace your new start by seeking out activities and hobbies that other adults your age are engaged in.
There are plenty of opportunities for people older than the age of 60. You just have to make the effort of finding which ones you are willing to do!
Want some examples? There are senior sports leagues, dance clubs, and card and game clubs as well. Join a walking club and make some new friends while also improving your fitness and quality of life. I don’t want you to get into the mindset that starting over at 60 should be a lonely journey.
There are plenty of ways to find others who are in similar situations to yourself!
5. Embrace Change
So many people who don’t enjoy change, never truly got a chance to embrace it. Let’s treat starting over at 60 as having a new lease on life. Things will almost certainly be different moving forward. It’s time to embrace this change and think of it as an opportunity to right your ship.
As simple as it may sound, this is one of the most difficult things for people starting over at 60. Getting over that mental hurdle might be the push you need to begin taking all of the other things on this list seriously.
6. Connect With Others Who Are Also Starting Over at 60
As I said: you are not alone. There are plenty of other people over the age of 60 who have started over with nothing. If they can do it, so can you! Connect with these people if you get the opportunity because they can provide a lot of insight into what it takes to succeed.
Find online support groups and put yourself out there to try and meet these people. Not only will it help you shed the feeling of being alone, but it will give you the confidence to embrace change and get out there to try something new.
7. Explore How to Improve Your Finances
I bet many of you were wondering when the Financial Geek would be getting around to the financial part of this article. Well, here it is. Starting over at 60 also presumes some sort of financial reset as well. I’ll be honest: this might be difficult. You basically lose out on the safety net of decades of compound growth. But in this day and age, it’s easier than ever to earn a living.
You can do things like starting a blog or website. The gig economy is great as well so if you have some skills, there are plenty of places to put them to use on the internet. Finally, take this opportunity to re-assess how much you need in your fresh new life. You might be surprised at how little you actually need to live a meaningful and peaceful life!
Geek, out.
