This year, I learned how to dress comfortably. I finally succumbed to the design principle that “form should follow function”. And function right now is all about comfort. Forget form. Forget fashion. Wear what feels good. And going naturally gray? Wowza! I wonder if I’m brave enough. For the record, Ron thinks I should. He’s all for it. ♥ Starting over at 60 should not come as a surprise. Now that you have come to understand the psychological and financial challenges associated with reaching that age, let’s take a look at how to regain control over your life. In popular opinion, by the time you reach 60 you have achieved all you had to in life. This isn’t true, just because we are comfortable doesn’t mean to stop ourselves from growing. Walt Disney used the cash value of his life insurance to start Disneyland. [2] Even your car insurance needs to be reevaluated. You can often times save money through good driving and senior discounts as well as eliminating your commuter miles. Why not go somewhere you have not yet been before? Why not do it every year? 20. Spend a year abroad

Following the cost of living increase, money is tight for a lot of us right now. That's why it's the perfect time to look into the benefits available to you and how they can help save you some money right now. I did some home-schooling once. It is possible to teach the entire 20th-century social history of Britain from Larkin's The Whitsun Weddings. But honestly, my natural color disappeared long ago, so what is there to mourn? Going gray is a big step in my quest to just be me, whoever that is. Life is change. Eat good and healthy. Just be curious about it. Try to limit the toxic stuff you put into your body, because you actually care about it. Learn to value health over instant and short-term pleasure provided by fast food, sugary candy and alcohol. Finally get in shape and get the body you really want for yourself. You don’t have to go super crazy here and become the next Mr. or Mrs. Olympic but just take care over your body, because you only have one (and you might want it for several years to last). 3. Learn to apologize

It’s an ambitious list. I don’t think I can accomplish everything on it. But just thinking about what I hope to accomplish and writing them down is an important step in the process. Depending on your situation, you may find yourself having to come to terms with a completely new relationship with money. Whether retiring, changing careers or starting your own business, chances are your income is going to take a hit. Nice snare sound." Always say this to someone you like when they are playing you terrible music, especially if it's their demo. This insincere but specific observation allows both parties to sidestep more general, and potentially cruel, discussion. If the person insists, they deserve everything they get, starting with "shit snare sound". Personalise the lid of the luxury gift box in a choice of 6 bright colours with the name or short message for that extra special touch. Please note the standard (non personalised) boxes are printed in turquoise, this colour can not be changed. If you choose to personalise the box and don't select a colour from the drop down we will print in the default setting of white. Even if it means working. Inactivity — both physical and mental — is a big no-no for healthy aging. Don’t just retire and hope for the best. Plan now what you want to do when you quit what you’ve always done. For Joan Moran, reaching 59 while at a writing job that was winding down, led her to worry about impending inertia. What to do next? A yoga practitioner, she decided to take a yoga instructors’ course. 4. Forgive those who’ve wronged you

Obviously I don't wonder if those politically connected bastards siphoning wealth from a system set up as a public benefit will discourage compassionate, off-book favours. At all. If your home isn’t paid off already, after paying off credit card debt, this should be the next goal. It’s much less stressful going into a situation where you’ll have less income if your house is paid off. Unique 60th birthday gift contains surprise ways to keep the celebrations going, whatever their genderI have always had a (long!) list in my head of all those things I want to do next – now I also have it in writing. There is always more to see and do, but this gives me a list of things I can prioritise, rather than just waiting to see what comes along. Oh shut up, of course God exists. Even if God turns out to be just science in fancy pyjamas. Honestly, you think all this stuff "militant here in Earth" is not being saved to some "memory cloud"? There are Tumblr accounts for people's bloody cats. In reality, Ron and I have hunkered down for the year while the worldwide pandemic rages. I’ve tried to stay inspired. And we did get away once. But mostly we stay home. Eating is a big source of my entertainment. It’s the perfect time to try new (caloric) recipes, I reason. I deserve to indulge (a lot), I insist. Nothing soothes like comfort food and excuses. NORC at the University of Chicago: “General Social Survey 2012: Trends in Psychological Well-Being.” Do something you feel like doing without justifying yourself to anybody else. Just listen to the voice which tries to tell you to explore and see the world. 18. Live somewhere vastly different from your hometown

I share the sympathies of Woody Allen when he turned sixty, a while ago: “Practically a third of my life is over.” Naylor Observatory in Lewisberry invites the public to view stars through their enormous telescopes on several days throughout the year. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Find out about observation days, star parties, astronomy classes and more at astrohbg.org. I spent many months planning and executing my niece’s wedding we held at an old, private airport. I was so honored to be asked and am embarrassed to reveal how much time I devoted to its fruition (months). I can’t wait to write about it and share pictures. Tidbit: I hung a chandelier from the center of the curved, 1945-era wooden roof and several wedding guests gasped with delight. It lent an unexpected elegance and helped set the tone for a magical evening. I learned to use my new Cricut machine for all the handmade wooden signs which was quite challenging, and spent a few days searching the wild for lichen branches that I used as tabletop decorations. Anyhoo…lot’s to say here which I will in a post someday. Many feel anxious about changing in their 60s as it is unchartered territory. However, without taking the initial step you never know what lies ahead. Aging is just a change in the body, it shouldn’t impact your determination and mind. There’s no time like your 50s to make sure the people who help you — your physician, your lawyer, your CPA, your minister/rabbi, your banker — are the ones you trust to give sound advice about your well-being. If you’ve been working with people who are ho-hum, use the time now to research and cultivate a support team. Make sure you’re in good hands. Life will be infinitely easier when you have tough decisions to make. 6. Reclaim an old passion

Master the art of STORYTELLING. Storytelling changes lives. Here’s the thing — everybody has a story. Can storytelling even be taught? Much of it is art, but much of it can be learned. Francine Prose opines it is a gift that can hardly be taught. Others, to the likes of Jeff Goins, teaches you’re not born an artist, but becomes one, following an apprenticeship and learning from the masters. Let your story be heard! I am proud to be part of a culture in which attitudes towards sexuality are moving rapidly from fear and outrage to love and apathy. Let's not forget that Glad to be Gay was banned by the BBC in 1978 on completely non-musical grounds. I ended up trading those cute cropped jeans for camouflaged sweats and a pilled sweatshirt with oversized letters splaying California down one sleeve. They don’t match. Not only does gardening allow you to exercise and spend time in the sun, but your homegrown produce contains more nutrients than those mass-shipped as well. Take it a step further and create a new recipe with your fresh food. Here’s a list on how to begin: sonima.com/food/growing-your-own-food Not many of you might have had the opportunity to spend some quality time on a road trip that’s uncertain and challenging at the same time. I bought my first caravan at 60 and nothing has stopped me from going on those long exciting hauls. All you need for a road trip is a clean caravan, some caravan awnings or annexes, a strong enough towing vehicle, the required supplies, a map, and some form of entertainment. If you have grandchildren, you can always take them with you. They can be pretty awesome and their enthusiasm can surely rekindle the child in you.

Here are all the benefits for over 60s currently available. Benefits for over 60s in UK Pensions Guarantee Credit Now, the world is opening up. “Hope is on the horizon,” a friend said recently. I believe her. Vaccines are becoming plentiful and society is rejuvenating.

Now ideally, if you’re going to start a business, you should start 2-3 years before you plan on retiring. This will give you a chance to become established, build your network and income stream all while maintaining the benefits of your current job. Many cynics will quip, “60 things to do before you die.” I say, “No, the first third was but a warm-up. The best is yet to come!” There is not a single bad mood that cannot be lifted, however grudgingly, by reading a Larkin poem. If you don’t feel the bite of the entrepreneur bug, but still want to stay connected and earn money. How about becoming a consultant? This is a benefit boost to your weekly income for those who have low income or savings. To claim this, you must live in the UK, have reached the State Pension age and have little income or savings. You don’t need to have national insurance records and you can still be working, but you’ll need to prove that your income isn’t too high. Public transport discount