Life After 50 Is Not The End
Perspective creates the lens for your life
In a youth-obsessed culture, life ends at 50.
Twenty-five-year-olds are building businesses, making millions, traveling the world, and living their best lives. By 40, Instagram influencers and tech gurus are retiring and enjoying the fruits of their labor.
I have tremendous respect for people who figure out their lives at an early age, put their heads down, and make it happen.
But if you’re still learning or making changes in your life at 40 or 50, don’t believe the hype.
Your life is not over.
How you view the aging process is up to you. What matters is not the number of years you’ve lived but what you do with each year.
If you’re over 50, you’ve lived more than 18,250 days. That’s a lot of living, but it’s far from the end.
What’s life like after 50?
It’s a time to celebrate the wisdom and resilience you’ve gained from life’s challenges.
A time to reflect on your experiences and create new ones.
A time to be thankful for the blessings you’ve enjoyed.
A time to be mindful of the lessons learned.
A time to change the things you don’t like and embrace the things you love.
A time to explore what you haven’t had time for.
A time to learn something new.
A time to make new friends and enjoy old ones.
More important than age is your perspective and mindset throughout the years.
Age is not the difference between success and failure, joy and despair.
Your perspective is.
How you view your circumstances determines how you view your life. And tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. It’s why every day should be celebrated, whether you’re 25 or 75.
Eight Lessons from 50 years of living
1. Everyone has the power to become their best self
Some people achieve it at 30, others at 70. Learning to find meaning in your life is a process. It’s not taught in school. It’s taught by living life. It’s okay if it takes time.
2. You will face challenges
Everyone does. Some have more than others. How you react is the difference between surviving and thriving. Life’s detours teach what you wouldn’t have learned otherwise.
3. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t
Life is full of moments that question your abilities. Choose to focus on what you can do. If you want to move forward in life, you need to move the needle every day, slowly and steadily.
Focus on what’s possible and learn to control what you can- your mindset, reactions, and the people you surround yourself with.
4. Live in the present
It’s normal to plan and set goals, but accepting that plans change is more important. Whether the change is planned or unplanned, desired or not, accepting it for what it is enables you to enjoy the present and move through uncertainty faster.
5. Learn to find joy and happiness in the smallest ways
It’s easy to be happy when things are going well, but learning to find joy and happiness when life is challenging is more difficult. It requires a change in perspective. I used to be a runner. When I couldn’t run because of a health issue, I celebrated walking. I adjusted my expectations. Would I ever run that marathon? Probably not, but I enjoy every step I take.
6. Overcome limiting beliefs
Developing a relationship with yourself is paramount to any other relationship. What motivates you, scares you, or excites you? It begins in your mind. If you don’t believe in yourself, you will not succeed. Learn to overcome limiting beliefs. If you think you can, you’ll find a way. If you feel you can’t, you won’t even try.
Accept your limitations, but overcome your limiting beliefs. There’s a big difference.
7. Practice gratitude
Learning to be grateful has physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. It lowers stress, promotes a positive outlook, and helps you stay motivated. Even during life’s difficulties, it’s possible to practice gratitude. Start with small things that are often overlooked, like a sunrise or a blue sky. Acknowledge the support of a loved one. Practicing gratitude is a mindfulness practice that will change your life if you’re open to it.
8. Don’t let age define you
Age is a number. Nothing else. It’s a representation of the years you’ve lived. What you do in that time is up to you.
Don’t let your age stop you from learning, changing, and becoming the best version of yourself.
Celebrate each year for the wisdom gained, the experiences enjoyed, and the opportunity to become the person you were meant to be.
Regardless of the number, you’re the perfect age to live your life.
Until next week, be mindful and stay safe.
Tracy xo
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Thanks for your inspiring and thoughtful article, Tracy. Amazingly, at age 73 I'm still diving deep into what's new, what I'm curious about, and what I'm celebrating! How blessed I feel to be enjoying another glorious Summer!
Cheers and thanks, Nancy
Excellent article, Tracy. Your advice for the 50-year-old is right on point.
Since my sons are in their fifties, I consider them young adults. I never considered myself old at that age. Now, at 74, I realized I've aged, but I'm not old; I'm a member of the JOY group (Just Older Youth). Only 4 years ago, at 70 did I became an entrepreneur, and I'm enjoying every minute of my new life.