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Some baby boomers are reaching retirement age and haven’t accomplished their biggest dreams in life. Many women have devoted their lives to their children and never pursued the career they’d hoped to have. Now with an empty nest they are asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Others have dreams of living in another part of the country, going on a dream vacation or even owning that car they’ve always wanted.
It’s been rightly said, “You only live once.” Don’t allow your dreams to fall by the wayside. This is a perfect time in life to start making them come true!
Go back to school — It is never too late to go back to school. In fact, in recent years the number of college students between the ages of 40 and 64 has jumped close to 20%. More and more colleges are catering to non-traditional students offering greater flexibility and access. If you’ve always wanted to earn a college degree or pursue a career, going back to school might be a great option for you. There are so many choices out there, from degrees in education to radiation therapist schools like GMercyU. Even if you aren’t interested in a degree program, many community colleges offer a wide array of enrichment courses like culinary training, entrepreneurial skills, massage therapy, health and wellness coaching, painting and other arts. Whatever your interests are–you’ll find classes to take. Going back to school is a great way to expand your mind, meet new friends and follow your dreams
Make a big move — Have you always wanted to live overseas? In another state? At the beach? Perhaps you’ve been tied to a community and home for years, but really don’t want to spend the rest of your life there. The housing market is improving and mortgage rates are at an all time low—great opportunity exists for people who want to relocate.
With the variety of long distance moving services available to you anything is within reach—across the state, the country, or even the world! Now is a great time to move closer to your children and grandchildren or move to a place you’ve always dreamed of living in.
Take care of yourself — Maybe you’ve spent your life caring for others and not enough time caring for yourself. Perhaps you’ve always been overweight, never been a habitual exerciser, or not made eating healthy a priority. There is no better time than now to begin to take care of yourself.
Take up a new exercise routine—join a gym, take aerobics, join a yoga class, or hire a personal trainer. Learn new healthy cooking techniques by taking a class or joining a cooking group. Start taking care of your body with organic foods and high quality fruits and vegetables. This will increase your stamina, energy level, physical fitness and ability to enjoy life. Don’t settle for anything less than a healthy, happy you.
Spoil yourself — Everyone has wished for a dream vacation, to buy a specific car, own a boat or indulge in this or that. As an empty-nester headed into retirement, you deserve to make some of those dreams come true. Take some time to really consider what you’d like to do, where you’d like to go, and what you’d like to have. Pick your top few, and if you can afford them, go ahead and spoil yourself.
Go out and plan that vacation to Hawaii or Caribbean cruise—and don’t skimp on anything! Maybe you’ve spent years driving station wagons and mini-vans, but always wanted to own a BMW convertible. Go for it. Start collecting art. Buy vacation property on the lake. Go to the theater. Get out there and enjoy life.
As they approach retirement age, baby boomers are primed to redefine aging. Unlike the generations before them, baby boomers are still actively following their dreams and tackling life with enthusiasm. If you have big dreams it’s never to late to follow them – in fact, now is the perfect time to make your dreams come true!
My husband and I are planning to relocate to South Carolina for our next big adventure together. NJ, our home state, has gotten just too expensive.