Pick up a newspaper and you can be assured that it will it be filled with things to be avoided and things to brush-up on so that – G-d forbid – your quality of life will not suffer.
Take the subject or Retirement:
There seems to be a pervasive fear that those of us who take the plunge and step away from work commitments to enjoy leisure will fall into a rabbit hole of decrepitude, depression and desperation.
I always viewed this time of freeing of obligations and responsibilities as an opportunity to pursue hobbies, spend more time with family and friends, explore new interests, and have more adventures. And yet, many articles I read have an underlying, ominous message: Be prepared or you will descend into a dark abyss.
Just in case you, too, have some trepidation about retirement, here are a few carefully culled suggestions: Start early like a couple of years before retirement – to seek out engaging routines and new experiences.
Find a purpose.
Find a passion.
Begin connecting socially through avenues like book clubs, Pickleball and Canasta games.
Volunteer.
Explore OLLIE (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) in your community. This institute offers diverse courses in a collaborative setting where participants share their knowledge and experiences. (My good buddy in Ohio has taken classes for years – centering on Shakespeare, gardening and mindfulness.)
Retirement can be grand with a little foresight.
What’s another fear-inducing situation we face as we advance in years?
Take the subject of DATING: After my divorce in 1975, I was terrified to dip into the dating scene. Maybe that’s why an article in “The Wall Street Journal” titled “How to Avoid Online Romance Scams” caught my eye.
Here’s what we Know:
People over 60 seem most susceptible to romance scams, particularly if they have gone through a major life change like divorce.
The FBI suggests going slowly in forming a relationship and asking lots of questions when meeting someone online. Warning signs that signal something may be amiss are:
- haven’t physically met after a few contacts
- the person tries to isolate you from your family and friends
- the person rarely pays, seems overly perfect and professes love for you quickly
It’s not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of people who find deep and lasting relationships later in life. Just be cautious.
Me? I found my “true love” by going back to my hometown and attending my high school reunion.
Roots are roots.
Today, with all the amazing search engines and ways to connect, delving into the plethora of people you know from the past may just yield a treasure trove of trusted, reliable and fantastically possible partners.
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
