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If fifty is the new forty then the big five OH is when life now begins! Of course, these days, keeping our jobs and ensuring we have a roof over our heads is pretty much what life’s about however, if you’re contemplating half a century on the planet then it’s also time to consider your own personal wish list.
Below are five ideas to get you started and no matter what age you are, there’s no harm in planning ahead to ensure you reach your goal with pride and dreams intact.
Travel
As we all know, there’s a big world out there and once you get bitten by the travel bug then it’s very difficult to shake it off. The trouble is that if you leave it too late to start you may wish that you’d started earlier. I find that listing all of the countries that I’d like to visit and all of the things that I’d like to see not only whets my appetite for future adventures but it also helps me to focus on practical elements such as time off, costs and who to take with me.
Charity project
Again, similar to travel, once you start raising money for charity you begin to realise what an easy and rewarding project it can be. It’s also a great if you want to check out some adventure travel options too, because from climbing mountains in the Himalayas to walking the South Downs Way, raising money and challenging yourself often go hand in hand. Consider a project that’s close to your heart then set yourself a challenge, set up a Just Giving page and go for it!
Write that novel
They say that everyone’s got one in them but is this really true? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to put pen to paper. If you’re approaching fifty then you’re bound to have had some experiences and tales to tell that will no doubt be of interest to other people. You don’t even have to call it your memoirs as you can create a fictional character and then send him or her on their own adventures which are based on your life.
Keep fit
As we get older we tend to opt for a more relaxed and less energetic approach to life i.e. running, sports and keeping fit tend to take a bit of a back seat. It’s usually only when we’re told that we need to lose weight or cut down on fatty foods that we feel compelled to do something about our health. Instead of being reactive it’s often better to be proactive and start to keep fit before something goes wrong. Options such as Tai-chi, long country walks and cycling are all great ways to keep healthy long into later life and there’s no better time to start than right now.
Bond with a youngster
If you have your own kids and you’ve sort of lost touch with them then now’s the time to reengage and find out what they’re up to. Keeping abreast of what young people are into helps you to keep fresh and up-to-date without having to resort to second-guessing and categorising all young people as evil, hood wearing rioters. Volunteer work at home or abroad is another way to meet young people and become a mentor or teacher in their lives. This can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all and when you look back and see how you’ve helped change a young person’s life then you can sit back and enjoy a job well done.
Biog: Chris currently has another ten years until he’s fifty and adventure travel plans and keeping happy and healthy are always high on his agenda.
