One of the benefits of aging is that we gain a broader perspective. We learn that life is filled with challenges and many of them are unforeseen. Our friends at Growing Bolder have interviewed more octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians than anyone. These Rock Stars of Aging have seen a lifetime of changes both in culture and in their individual lives. In their many decades, they’ve continued to find passion, purpose, and happiness as they age. One common trait that's shared by many of them is the ability to bounce back after change.
Change is an unavoidable part of life, and we’ll suffer less if we learn how to embrace it instead of fighting it. Necessary changes in our diet may mean we can’t enjoy foods we love, but we can find new ones to enjoy. Maybe we can’t play the same sports at the level we once could, but we can still get out and move. We can jog instead of sprint, ride a bike or walk.
Our careers may have ended, but with extra hours on our hands, we can find new passions and purpose. Is there an activity you enjoyed when you were younger? Is there an art class nearby that you could try? Do you like plants? Learn what makes a garden grow or how to arrange flowers. Love animals or children? Local schools and animal shelters welcome volunteers, and many local charities can use help with organizing or accounting.
Our kids grow up and begin lives and families of their own, leaving us with houses bigger than we need or have the energy to maintain. An empty nest is an opportunity to find a new, rightsized home, or to join a senior community.
The good news is that we don’t have to make these changes alone. Whatever ways we choose to embrace change in our lives, if we engage in these activities with others, the impact can be great. Social relationships have a profound influence on mental and physical health, mortality risk, and longevity.
We’re social animals who are hardwired to engage with others. It’s in our DNA. Active, healthy, happy friends are the great defenses against sickness, depression, and cognitive decline. Community is immunity.
Our team at Caring Transitions would love to be a part of your community within Columbia, Clarksville, Glenwood, Glenelg, West Friendship, Sykesville, Laurel. Whether it’s just decluttering, moving to a new, smaller home, or an assisted living community, the team at Caring Transitions can offer support with the entire process. We can help you donate whatever you no longer need or want, or earn money for a move through an estate sale that we organize and run, or on our CTBids.com online auction site.
When you’re ready to move, our team will pack, transport, and unpack your belongings in your new home, so you can begin enjoying your new home on day one
There's an old Chinese proverb that says, "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and some people build windmills." Which one are you? Build windmills, using change to generate the power to move forward, and our CT team will be ready to help.