Get Old Before Your Time
Tips & Quips: Tip
This week’s tip is a simple one: Allow yourself to get “old”… before you get old.
Weird, I know, especially given the focus on anti-aging we have in our world. But, hear me out on this one.
Allow yourself to get old, but do it before your time. In other words, don’t wait for retirement to do the things you love. Don’t wait for “later” or “someday” to build a life around what you enjoy or what makes you happy, because you think you’ll have more time.
For many reasons outside of your control, retirement may never come. You may never have the time you think you’re going to have in order to enjoy the life you’ve spent decades saving for. It’s an old adage, but it’s true: You can’t take it with you. (It’s also a really excellent play!)
You can’t take anything with you from this life, except your memories. So, spend your life making memories. Of course, don’t be frivolous with your resources, as that can sometimes lead to despair and heartache, but don’t wait either. If you’ve always dreamed of going to New Zealand or seeing the pyramids of Egypt, figure out how you can do those things now. Don’t wait until you are retired to start checking off your list.
Life is meant to be lived. It’s meant to be experienced. Each experience you have enriches your life in ways you could never imagine, because they add up cumulatively. They are not islands, separated from each other. A trip to Dollywood can inspire a trip to the Rockies, which can then build and inspire an excursion to a beautiful beach in Costa Rica with bioluminescent waters.
When you look back on your life, you will be glad you allowed yourself to live as if your time was limited, regardless of how much time you have left. Collecting experiences, relationships, and memories is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
Whether you’re 25, 50, or 70, add more of these things into your life now. Today. You’ll be glad you did.
YES :)