I turned 72 last February. Not too shabby for a girl who didn’t think she’d live past 25. No, I didn’t have any physical health problems. I was just emo before emo was a thing. I think many teens go through a fatalistic phase. Mine simply started early and lasted longer.

Anyway, I digress… As I approached my 70th birthday I wondered what lay ahead. I was already using a wheelchair. My outdoor activities had declined substantially. What would the next ten years hold?

I’m one of those fortunate people who got to do many of the things I had dreamed of. I’ve had fulfilling jobs, had healthy children who grew to be productive adults, have wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, written books and short stories, and traveled a lot. Would I be able to continue doing some of these things in my seventies?

While I can no longer dance the night away at a club, workout at the gym, or hike the nearby mountains, the fact is, I can still travel, snorkel, drive, write books, sketch and paint, and learn new things.

Almost two years ago I started to learn Italian. I’d learned a little French in high school, Spanish in college and decided I was going to learn Italian after my first visit to Italy. I was certain it would be a struggle since I was much older. Surprisingly, it’d been easier! Perhaps its because I was raised Catholic and learned Latin in religious classes. Maybe it’s because there’s a similarity between Latin based languages. Whatever the reason, I’m enjoying Italian.

Traveling is my favorite thing to do. I could spend my life going from one place to another. As a child I was lucky enough to have traveled much of the North Eastern states and some of the upper Southeastern states. I’d always dreamed of traveling to other countries. It was only after I was fifty years old that I finally crossed the pond to Great Britain. I was still mobile at that time.

Fast forward to 2024. My husband and I had cruised the Mediterranean, Italy, Greece, and Spain a few times. Last August my sister Kathy joined us on an 11-day cruise with three pre-cruise days in Venice and three post cruise days in Barcelona. This October I’m getting to fulfill a wish from my bucket list. Kathy is taking me on a TCM Disney cruise this October. My favorite TCM hosts are going to be there.

I realized it isn’t only the physical limitations brought on by aging that prevent people from enjoying their later years. For many in their seventies there can be a feeling of sadness or longing for the vibrancy of youth. Some of these feelings can be brought on by cultural messages that are embedded over time.

Travel! Discover new places, nearby or far away! How many times have you seen photos of places you wanted to visit, but feel it’s too late to travel. Perhaps you’re fearful, or believe your health or lack of mobility make it impossible. Let me assure you, as a woman over seventy, there are ways to travel designed specifically for elderly or mobility challenged people. There are even groups that cater to guests with special needs.

EF Go Ahead Tours. In our opinion, it’s never too late to add stamps to your passport. If your wanderlust has aged like a Brunello di Montalcino wine, explore our tours for seniors—itineraries designed with slower pacing in mind. https://www.goaheadtours.com/tours/senior-tours12 Senior Travel Groupshttps://www.storypoint.com/resources/health-wellness/senior-travel-groups/

12 Recommended Travel Groups for Seniors. https://www.storypoint.com/resources/health-wellness/senior-travel-groups/

Best tour company for elderly/seniors. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/best-tour-company-for-elderly-seniors

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!!

Don’t Let Your World Shrink! Even everyday activities may seem daunting as we age. It’s easier to fall into comfortable routines. We eat the same meals, go to the same stores and restaurants, and don’t update our wardrobes. Also, sadly, some of our friends have passed on. As the circle grows smaller we have less contact with the outside world. Make the effort to try new things and meet new people. Join a book club or start one at your local library. Take a cooking class. Many local elder agencies have lists of activities for older people according to their physical abilities. If you’re still physically able, there is a program called Silver Sneakers at some gyms and the YWCA. There are even online classes. Grab a friend and exercise together. My favorite exercise is Chair Yoga. I also like to do water yoga and water aerobics. One of the big advantages of water exercise is there’s less stress on your joints. https://tools.silversneakers.com/

Spend Less Time With People Who Bring You Down! No matter what your age, we all have people in our lives who are negative. They drain your energy and leave you feeling miserable. Every day is a gift. Approach your days as the opportunity for new adventures; try a new food, see a movie, check out the coffee shop that recently opened, read a book from a different genre or by a new author. Encourage a friend to join you. Try journaling! Plant a garden. You can even have an indoor garden of potted plants. I have a friend who shares cuttings from her beautiful plants with others. Surround yourself with positive people and feel your energy grow!

Pay Attention to What Your Body is Saying! It’s important to take care of your body. Things as simple as a morning stretch, having your morning coffee (or tea!) on the porch or outdoors, go outside and listen to nature or just people watch. Make sure you get regular check ups and follow your doctor’s orders! Eat healthy. Do all the things you have probably told others to do.

Don’t Get Too Caught Up In the Past! Create new memories. It’s easy to reminisce over happy memories. It’s a positive action. But, don’t concentrate on negative past experiences. It’s nice to share recollections of good times, but don’t forget you can make new memories. What recent events can you talk about? This can also be a good time to start a journal about what you do every day. It will remind you to change things up more often. Journal entries don’t have to be long. A few words are a nice way to recall something you did or saw. With cell phones you can even take a picture of something that you find interesting or funny. That way you won’t get stuck in a rut. Every day is a new opportunity.

You’re Entitled to Your Opinion! It’s okay to have your own opinion. You have a lot to contribute to conversations. You don’t have to agree with others. Your ideas matter as much now as they did in your youth. Your life experiences make you an asset. Certain values don’t change. Some challenges are similar to all people. What you’ve learned can be beneficial to others. Don’t feel what you have to say isn’t valuable. You never know how your words can impact others.

To put it simply, Live Your Life! Don’t let your age define you. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. There’s always something new to learn, to see, to taste, to experience. Make your “I wish I had” into a “I’m glad I did!”