There are probably a few things you’ve wanted to try but never got around to. Maybe you were busy raising kids, working, or making sure everyone else had what they needed. Maybe you didn’t have the money, or you kept waiting for someone to do them with you.
And now you’re over 60, wondering if you’ve left it too late. I think we sometimes talk ourselves out of things before we’ve even looked into them. We assume we won’t fit in, we won’t be able to do it, we’re too old, or people will think we’re ridiculous.
Of course, our health, mobility, and finances affect what we can do. But there are still plenty of things to do after 60 that go beyond the same old suggestions. If any of these sound like something you’d enjoy, they might be worth a closer look.
6 things to do after 60 to spark some joy in life
This is my short list of things to do after 60 that I think might be of interest to many of you. I’d still love to try #4.
Take Your First Solo Trip
Waiting for someone to travel with can mean you never actually go anywhere. Your friend can’t get time off, your sister doesn’t want to go where you want to go, and everyone else has their own reasons for staying home.
Meanwhile, you’d really like to get out of town for a few days.
Travelling alone might feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you’ve always travelled with a partner or family. Start with a weekend somewhere close enough that getting there won’t be a huge ordeal.
Book somewhere you feel comfortable staying, plan a few things you’d like to do, and let someone know where you’ll be.
You might feel a little awkward eating dinner alone the first night. You might also discover you love being able to spend three hours exploring somewhere without anyone asking when you’re leaving. You won’t know until you try it.
Take a Dance Class
I think a lot of people would love to learn to dance but worry too much about looking silly. They think everyone else will know what they’re doing, and they’ll be the only one turning left when they’re supposed to turn right.
Find a beginner class, and you’ll probably have plenty of company.
Salsa, ballroom, line dancing: choose something you actually like the sound of. Ask whether you need a partner and whether the class would suit your fitness and mobility. You don’t have to sign up for six months, either.
See if you can try one lesson first.
If you’re looking for things to do after 60 that get you out of the house regularly, this could be a fun one. And if you laugh your way through half the class because your feet won’t cooperate, you’ve still had a pretty good evening.
Go Zip Lining
Okay, this one won’t be for everybody. But if you’ve ever watched people zip lining and thought you’d love to try it, don’t rule it out simply because you’re over 60.
Look into what the experience actually involves. Some courses require quite a bit of walking, climbing stairs, or managing your own braking. Ask about the physical requirements, equipment limits, and health restrictions before handing over your money. If you have a medical condition that could make it risky, check with your doctor.
If your health and mobility allow it, and the operator confirms you meet their requirements, it could be a pretty exciting afternoon. You might be nervous getting into the harness, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t enjoy yourself once you’re out there.
10 Awesome Bucket List Items to Add to Your List
Take a Hot-Air Balloon Ride
A hot-air balloon ride is one of those things people say they’d love to do someday, then never really investigate. If it’s been on your list for years, you could at least find out what’s available and what it costs.
Before booking, ask how you get into the basket, how long you’ll need to stand, and what the landing might involve. A balloon ride requires more physical participation than the photographs suggest, so be honest about anything that could be difficult for you.
It may be something you need to save for, or perhaps you could ask family to contribute toward it for a birthday instead of buying gifts. When you’re thinking about things to do after 60, include something special you’ll need to plan for.
Try Housesitting in a Different City or Country
If you’d like to spend time somewhere new without paying for a hotel every night, housesitting might interest you. You stay in someone’s home while they’re away and take care of the responsibilities you’ve agreed to, which often include looking after pets.
You could start with a short sit in another city to see how you like it. If that goes well, perhaps you’d feel comfortable considering somewhere farther away.
Just remember that you’re responsible for someone’s home and possibly their animals. A dog that needs three walks a day will affect how much sightseeing you can do. You’ll also need to budget for travel, food, any platform fees, and other expenses.
Have a proper conversation with the homeowner about the pets, daily routines, transport, and what happens in an emergency. For an international sit, check the destination’s entry and visa rules rather than assuming housesitting is allowed as a tourist.
If the arrangement suits you, it could be a lovely way to spend a week or two getting to know a place beyond its hotels and tourist attractions.
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Book a Photo Shoot Just for Yourself
How many photographs do you have of yourself that you actually like? And how many times have you avoided the camera because you didn’t like your hair, your weight, or the way you looked that day?
Booking a photo shoot might feel a bit strange if you’ve never done anything like it. You might wonder what you’re supposed to wear or what on earth you’ll do with your hands. Tell the photographer that you’re nervous and ask to see examples of their work with people around your age.
Choose clothes you feel comfortable in and a setting you like. You don’t need to look like someone else or have every wrinkle edited out. You just want some good photographs of yourself as you are now.
Of all the things to do after 60, this might be the one you’ve never seriously considered. But having a few pictures you’re happy to put on the wall would be pretty nice.
Is There Something You’ve Been Putting Off?
You might read this list and decide only one thing appeals to you. That’s fine. There’s no requirement to become an adventurous traveller or start throwing yourself into activities you’ve never wanted to do.
But if something does interest you, look into it before deciding you can’t. Find out the cost, ask the questions, and see whether there’s a version that works for you.
We spend so much of our lives doing what needs to be done. I think there’s room after 60 to do a few things simply because we’d really like to.
xo iva xo
