I say this all the time: aging is not for the weak of heart. It can really mess with your mental health and, if you’re not mindful, can cause depression. And we don’t want that. We should be enjoying these golden years, yes?
So, I started doing little things every day that make me feel alive again (and kinda young, too), and I share them now in hopes that they help you too!
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Without further ado, let’s dive in…
10 things that make me feel alive again at 64 years old
When I turned 60, I fell into this weird depression, and it took me a little over a year and a half to get out of it. One thing that helped was finding ways to make me feel alive again and young. I wanted my fire, spirit and energy back. I lost my joy and spark, and I desperately needed to find it.
So I did! I hope you find yours too.
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Take your coffee outside
Seriously. It sounds simple, but trust me, it works.
Sit on the front step, pull up a chair on the porch, or take your mug out to the garden and leave your phone inside (unless you want to listen to morning prayers). Feel the morning sun on your face, listen to nature’s sounds. Take it all in. The fresh air, the sun, nature’s music.
You will feel totally invigorated after just 10 minutes.
Turn up your favourite song
When was the last time you cranked up the music and sang your little heart out?
Turn on your iPad, Note, Spotify, hook up your Bluetooth, and crank that song, girl! Sing along wherever you are or play it in the kitchen and dance while you’re waiting for the coffee.
Never forget the quote “Dance like no one is watching”
Go pet a puppy
Or a kitten or a furry critter. Any critter will do.
If a friend or neighbour has a dog, ask if you can stop by for a visit. Or ask your local animal shelter whether they have visiting hours or need volunteer dog walkers. An older dog who wants a good ear scratch will do just fine, too. Better yet, adopt a shelter animal!
This will not only make you feel alive again, but it will fill your heart with tremendous love. Trust me on that.
Put on your favourite dress/outfit
The one that sits in the closet and never sees the light of day.
Put on the earrings you love, the bright lipstick you rarely wear, or the good shirt/dress that’s been hanging in the closet waiting for a special occasion. Today is a special occasion. You’re alive!!
Wear it to lunch, to the grocery store, or around the house. A perfectly ordinary Thursday is reason enough.
Take a walk somewhere different
What mysteries lie in seldom-seen places?
Try a street you usually pass by or visit a park you’ve never been to. Give yourself time to look at the gardens, peek in a shop window, or sit on a bench for a few minutes. You may even meet someone new and engage in some great conversation!
Step out of your comfort zone and let the universe surprise you.
Call someone who makes you laugh
And makes you feel alive again. My sister is the best person for this!
Think of the friend who starts laughing before she gets to the good part of the story. Give her a call. If it’s been a while and you feel awkward about it, start with “You popped into my head today, so I thought I’d call.” That’s plenty.
You’ll be glad you did!
Get your hands into something
Cookie dough, anyone?
Pot a plant, bake a batch of cookies, or pull out the watercolours you bought and barely touched. Give yourself twenty minutes to play around with whatever you already have. If the cookies come out lopsided, eat the lopsided ones first.
Dig up your old hobbies and breathe life back into them!!
Try something next time you’re out running errands
I know you been eyeballing that new bakery!
Live a little! Order that unusual dish instead of your regular lunch. Stop at the bakery you always drive past or ask the librarian to pick a book for you. It takes almost no extra time to give yourself a little surprise while you’re already out.
And, hey, you may even learn something new!
Give yourself something to look forward to
Dust off your calendar!
Pick a day and make a plan. Invite someone for breakfast, put a movie night on the calendar, or choose a morning to go browse a flea market. So basically, make a date with yourself or a friend. No need to sit at home alone all the time.
Stop saying, ” I wish ” and start doing!
say yes to something you would normally say no to
Are you the “oh, no thank you, I’ll pass” person? Stop saying no and just once, say yes, and go!!
This is another, step out of your comfort zone thing, but I promise after you say yes and go to whatever event you were invited to, you’re going to find yourself at the end of the night fulfilled and so happy you went!!!
If you keep saying no, eventually people will stop inviting you, and you’ll find yourself alone and lonely at home wondering why no one ever calls or invites you anywhere. See what I mean?
final thoughts on things that make me feel alive again
Aging can creep up on you and make you feel old, tired and worthless, but only if you let it!! Go find things to do that make you feel alive again and young at heart. Thank me later!
