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The aging trilogy of decline. The fight has begun, and ignorance is no longer acceptable, but far too tolerated. It is simply your life. Full of your choice and there can be no blame. You decide how you live! We will decline! We choose how badly and how soon! But we must also accept there is opportunity abound to live better.
As I got into my 50s I realized time was going quicker. The business of the last three decades had left me wondering who I was, what did I stand for, and why the hell was my life so complicated now?
I had reasonable health, accumulated a few assets, and some debt that forced me to keep working (not such a terrible thing though!). But after a big breath I decided to pursue new tracks, a new life, and after two years my only regret was why I did not go earlier.
But when is the right time? Is it when you can no longer appreciate new beginnings because that will come? When is “enough” enough? And why does time go so damn quickly now?
OK, I have had a very fulfilling life. I have been blessed with a nice lifestyle, a great family, and a loving wife now playing many roles because there is simply just me and her most days!
"We don't choose whether we decline. We choose how we live."
There is the physical decline.
Medical providers globally are stressed, busy, short staffed and ill equipped in their knowledge of latest lifestyle medicine. This area is your responsibility. We made our doctors the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff by not seeking and demanding personal knowledge to live better. They gave us what we wanted not needed!
We reflect our age in our posture. How we sit, stand, and walk. We rarely were even taught these critical things. How we sleep and its importance underestimated. The range of motion we have and how well we use it in everyday function is critical. Our proprioception and education of how we move in space, unconscious awareness, and ability to avoid falls, often gets lost. Are we in balance, using both hands equally for tasks? Our brains thrive on this information rarely received.
The ramifications of past injuries become apparent, so workouts need to be smart and specific. Getting up those stairs on your own magnificent. Moving slowly but properly! It might take a long time but will be time well spent.
Then there is the mental decline.
Where activity appears to be the number one preventative opportunity. Hyperinsulinemia needs to be a conversation if you don't understand the word. We have changed. Learning and cerebral stimulation necessary and posture and the effects on our neocortex cannot be ignored. Even simply learning patience.
When injured mentally, take the time to recover, breathe deeply and well. Don’t worry about things you cannot influence but be aware that there are still things you should. You are not alone in realising there is simply too much information . Maintain a clean filter! Not everything you hear is important. Guard and protect your time and energy.
But the least discussed of the trilogy is the financial decline.
This is the only truly voluntary aspect of the trilogy. With the end in sight there is a balance to strike. The balance between having fun now and at deaths door having spent our wealth on experiences that made our life worthwhile.
The priority to enjoy versus survive is increased and radical new thinking is needed. What does retirement look like? What can yours look like? When should it happen? When should it begin to happen? Is there only one way to live as we age?
Could you get together with a few friends and purchase a shared property with small extensions for each to also accommodate personal space and time. We could look out for each other to live fantastically and just do things different. Share a car, share a boat, share a kitchen but still have a cave! Still have our space but we no longer need three bathrooms to clean!
There comes a time when financially we need to spend where we get a better life, better health, more fun and a healthy outcome for longer. We will reach a financial peak where we decide to begin the fall. A choice to do what we love – truly love!
But the fear that we are becoming invisible presents itself as reality. As we age, we stop being noticed. Some see it as a reason to talk louder, dress louder and become a beacon. Be interesting not loud and some will still see you and seek counsel. They are the ones worthy of your attention.
There comes a time to be imaginative, creative, with a better self in mind. We don’t need another house, another car and another expensive dinner. We simply need to live better, and that choice might affect your financial standing. Is that all bad?
Remember needs and wants have been confused. What do you really need to have a better life? It is true we are living longer but it is not true we are living healthily longer. What can you do to lead a better life right now and ongoing?
Want to talk to someone about how to live better because I will listen. I’d love a chat so you can realise how brave you really are, what you really want and know you can change your destiny. The critical moment is when you realise your future is your choice. Own it, think about it, be creative – now’s good!
Today think about the future you want. Are you on track? What needs to happen and when is it time to stop the money chase and simply live better? Is the traditional retirement home an option you want or is there a better way for you to grow old and when does that transition start?
