Fifty is just a number but it’s also a watershed moment for many of us, a period of tremendous transition.
The road, which for most of us has always seemed well-marked, has become far more uncertain. The freedom borne of becoming even slightly less tethered to our kids leaves us with decisions, choices and time. But unlike our twenties, by the time we hit our fifties we have acquired life experience, wisdom and we are better informed about our own strengths and weaknesses-about the things we enjoy and the things we don’t.
What inspires us at this juncture when there is so much runway yet ahead, but also so much in the rear view mirror? We asked 150,000 of our friends in the Grown and Flown Parents group to tell us what new things they have taken up.
Turning 50: Here are the inspiring things we are doing at 50 and beyond
Our Bodies
Many of you told us that you are working on your bodies in a myriad of ways with the goal of remaining or getting limber and strong. You are having fun getting there. Collectively, you have taken up kickboxing, personal training, running marathons and sprint triathlons, hip hop and dance aerobics. You are competing in IRONMAN races. And, some of you are really flying high with circus arts (high flying trapeze, aerial silks) or getting powerful by competing in powerlifting events.
Our Careers/Businesses
We have finally reached a point where we have figured out that if we no longer love our work, we need to change it up. Many of you have left your old vocations to take up these new careers.
Soccer referee
Open photography business
Start an adult beauty pageant business
Become a beekeeper
Pilates Instructor
Trainer/Life Coach
Writer/ Blogger
School teacher
911 dispatcher
NICU nurse
Travel agent
Hospice ministry
One woman had just submitted her papers to run for delegate to my party’s convention. Another launched a nonprofit and another after hiking 1000 miles herself, one woman decided to lead hikes for other women
Hobbies
With the freeing up of time, many of us are enjoying new hobbies:
Knitting
Embroidery
How to work the camera/recording equipment
Baking
Wakeboarding
Sailing
Painting
Scuba diving
Voice lessons
Local theater
Stand up paddle boarding
Competitive table tennis tournaments
Swimming competitively
Music lessons
Tap dance classes
Curling
Golf
Pole dancing
Kayaking
Horseback riding
One woman built a soundbooth in her basement and is taking voice-over lessons.
Education/Back to School
Many of us use our newfound freedom to learn something new:
PhD programs
Masters degrees
Language classes
MBA programs
Rabbinical school
Certified Master Baker
Or college classes, just for the joy of learning
Moves/Travel/Adventure
After many years in the same place, there is a lot of movement. Many of you are moving to warmer climates, buying a second home, downsizing or upsizing.
And, we are travelling with groups and solo. One woman told us that she is planning to take a big solo backpacking trip 10-14 days. Some of you are buying RVs and hitting the road. Another woman told us she is doing hut to hut hiking in the Alps
One woman told us she was ready to get lots of tattoos, because there was no one to gainsay her. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself and we hope that you are as inspired as we were by what others are doing.
This is the new fifty. Do it for others. Do it for yourself. Do it alone. Do it with a group. Whatever “IT” is for you, JUST DO IT.
You Will Also Enjoy:
Seven Signs of the Aging Apocalypse
Here are the Top Ten Most Awesome Things About Being Over 50
