Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Singleness in Your 60s

1. Develop a Relaxing Schedule.

If you’ve reached the magic age of 66 and you’re able to retire, now is the time to relax and rejuvenate. Most of us have been taught a strong work ethic which has served us well. But the vitality of 8-5 with only a two-week vacation belongs to the past season.

Nap when you feel like it. Stop setting your alarm. Sleep in on Monday mornings, which used to be the most stressful day of the week. Spend time watching the sun set or the sun rise if your circadian rhythm is set for early morning.

Feed the birds and join the springtime bird count. https://www.audubon.org/conservation/about-great-backyard-bird-count

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2. Declutter Your Life.

Many of my friends are downsizing and moving to senior living apartments. Garage sales flourish as soon as spring arrives. A more simplistic life declutters the soul. Richard Foster shares helpful tips in The Freedom of Simplicity. https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Simplicity-Revised-Finding-Harmony-ebook/dp/B003JBI3E2

Although it’s important to keep some of the things that give us joy, much of our stuff can be given away — to share joy with someone else. Heirloom jewelry and antiques belong with the next generation. How many books do we really need and how many of them will you re-read?

As a writer, I have discovered how each week brings more clutter. One of my Saturday evening chores is to clean off my desk, throw away what I can and prep for a clean slate after the Sabbath.

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3. Make Wise Financial Decisions.

No longer receiving a regular paycheck can trigger fear. But if we’ve planned well and simplified expenses, we can do it. Most of us can live on the income we have — no matter what that amount — as long as we don’t give in to useless cravings.

Even though it’s important to live within our means, it’s also enjoyable to take that special vacation you’ve always longed for. A trip to Europe? Sure, why not. A cruise to Alaska? Many seniors enjoy the wildlife and raw beauty of our 49th state.

Last year, I spent a week in Santa Fe, NM. Because I attended a writer’s conference, my expenses were deductible. It was several days of strolling through the history, art, and creativity of the region while adding to the resume of my craft.

The money I spent was worth every penny.

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4. Dress As You Want.

More of us mature women are going gray yet keeping our eclectic outfits.

We love our varied colors and the textures that bring comfort. One of the joys of being single is that we don’t have to dress to impress anyone else. Many of us are growing our hair long. We no longer cater to the notion that older women look younger with short hair. And what if we do look older? We’ve earned every wrinkle.

Cowboy boots and a long skirt? Why not? Chunky costume jewelry? One of my favorites. No makeup? Who’s to judge?

These days, I rarely shop for new outfits, choosing to wear out what’s already in my closet. But if I decide to visit the mall, my one rule is “Comfort First.” No more stilettos for me. 

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5. Volunteer Somewhere Fun.

Even if you’re still working part- time, you can add your expertise to a volunteer assignment. My mother devoted much of her retirement years to volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless. She loved meeting the people and even enjoyed the cleanup of washing dishes.

A friend of mine cuddles babies in the NIC unit of a local hospital. Animal lovers might enjoy walking dogs or signing up to foster kittens whose mother has died. Another friend bakes pies for a Christian coffee shop. The library utilizes numerous volunteers. Or how about helping with Bingo at the assisted living facility? Schools needs mentors and reading partners for students who struggle.

Nonprofits and churches depend on volunteers. Last Christmas, I joined the decorators at my church to help prep the trees, hang wreaths and loop greenery around the foyer. For a couple of hours of my time, I added joy to others. Every Sunday during December when I entered the building and saw the decorations, my own joy was multiplied.

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6. Start a New Hobby.

Painting. Knitting. Writing. Scrapbooking. Leather work. Pottery. Landscaping. The list is endless for fun activities we now have time for. Some of us may not know we have a gifting for these creative endeavors. We’ve spent so many years working, we’ve forgotten how to play.

Check with your local junior college for inexpensive classes. Join with a group to encourage each other and multiply the fun. Take a tour of a lawn and garden nursery and learn about how to grow your garden. Sometimes, our volunteer choices can develop into a new hobby.  

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7. Mentor the Younger Generations.

Many churches and nonprofit organizations now include mentoring as one of their services. https://www.christianmentorsnetwork.org/ Most of us can point to someone who mentored us in the faith, a grandfather who taught us how to fish, a grandmother who shared the secret of her best recipe.

Now that we have more time, we can add value to the learning experiences of others. All those years of training ourselves pay off as we share information and practical tips with the younger generations. Whether it’s millennials or Generation Z, younger people are looking for experience and wisdom from those who have traveled the journey of life.

We can use any life lesson to share our faith walk, turning discipleship into a personal adventure as we love on a younger pilgrim.

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8. Live Where You Want.

The demographics of locations are changing, and many seniors are selling the larger house for a small rental.

Communities that cater to seniors with plenty of activities build connections. Who wants to spend time cleaning a large house when you could be on the golf course, at a knitting club or learning how to throw clay pots?

Purge everything that no longer brings you joy. Give it away or sell it on eBay. Go through one room at a time and ask the honest question, “Do I really need this item now?”

Then sell your house for a good price and find something with easy maintenance that feels safe and homey.

One of the ways I prep for a move is to invest in new bedding. A change of location deserves a comfy bedroom, complete with lots of pillows, a beautiful comforter and matching bed skirt.

My upcoming move will feature the color scheme of soft cream, dramatic eggplant purple, and luscious turquoise.

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9. Make Your Own Community.

What if a senior community is out of your price range? Make your own community.

Rearrange your house so that it welcomes others and utilizes your gift of hospitality. Even if you have no such gift, maybe this is the decade to stretch your personal welcoming skills.

You don’t have to teach a Bible study. Branch out into organizing a community that won’t feel threatening to nonbelievers.

How about a book club? Or a Scrabble club? Maybe someone in your current neighborhood would agree to be your walking partner.

Or sign up to be a conversation partner for an international student. These students love to see how Americans live and how our culture determines our food, faith and fellowship.

You can become a missionary in your own community and thrive as you establish the Great Commission where you are.

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10. Embrace Solitude.

By the time your 60’s have arrived, you have learned the difference between being alone and feeling lonely. If depression is a problem, check with a therapist or with your primary care provider. Stay active and reach out to others.

But don’t neglect the joy of solitude. This may be your best time to draw closer to Jesus, to spend quality time with him, to journal and learn more about some of the familiar scripture passages. Becoming a disciple is a lifelong journey.

Establish a prayer list and commit to spending time interceding for family and friends. Pray through the newspaper where plenty of chaos is always recorded. Re-engage with relatives and friends you haven’t seen for years. Learn about the ministry of writing and sending greeting cards.

Remind yourself how each day counts. If we’re lucky, we’ll thrive during our last decades. But most of us will see Jesus face-to-face within the next 10-20 years.

Carpe diem and embrace the joy of being who you are in your 60’s while looking forward to who you will be in eternity.

Author and Writing Coach, RJ Thesman just published her 12^th book with the help of her millennial son. UPLOADING FAITH: What It Means to Believe is available on Amazon and Kindle. It presents easy-to-understand faith facts for millennials or anyone brave enough to ask the tough questions. Connect with RJ Thesman on her website, by email Rebecca@RJThesman.net, and on social media sites: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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