Archives for March 2020

Mid-life is a time for reflection, revisioning, and reigniting our lives. In the past we may have been focused on learning, earning and raising our families. With so many responsibilities there may have been limited time to put our energy into the relationships and activities that matters most to us. Looking ahead, towards what we may traditionally call ‘retirement’, we have potentially only lived for two-thirds of our lives. Compulsory retirement is a thing of the past in the developed world. A new life-stage has been created for which we have no terminology. We are growing older, but we are not ‘over the hill’, ‘worn out’, ‘un-productive’, ‘old’ or ‘elderly’ at any pre-determined age. Age brings advantages that no previous generation has had. This is a cause for celebration as the potential to live longer and healthier lives creates new opportunities and exciting challenges for everyone.

What thoughts come to mind when you think ahead? On the same journey myself I wondered how others aged 60 + had approached this stage in their lives. What was their perspective on ageing? Had they planned ‘retirement’? How did they transition from one stage of life to another or was this a continuous journey? How were they spending their additional years? Like many people I read widely on the subject, but I wanted to hear personal stories from ordinary, everyday people, who were also on this life journey. I randomly asked people to share their stories with me in exchange for a pot of home-made jam. During our conversations I captured the context of their earlier lives, their plans and lifestyle choices. It was a humbling experience. These individuals are living fabulous, fulfilling lives, on their own terms. It’s with their permission that I can share their stories with you.

Let me introduce you to these remarkable individuals in my book ‘Life On Our Own Terms’.  This paperback edition is available in New Zealand from Paper Plus bookstores or directly from me at kiaora@angelarobertson.nz

Copies can also be purchased online from Amazon.com (kindle and paperback) and Barnes and Noble.com (ebook)

There has never been a better time. Globally the population is ageing. By 2025 there will be an estimated 1.25 billion people over the age of 60. Annually the number of centenarians is growing. Although there is no way of knowing how long we are going to live, with dramatic improvements in health care and notable increases in life expectancy, there is a good chance that many of us will live to 90 and beyond – a lot longer than our predecessors. Increased longevity provides us with so many opportunities, so why does society have such a pernicious view of ageing?  Let’s face it, many of us struggle with the reality of growing older. Few of us look forward to being 50, 60, 70 or 80 years of age. Nevertheless, ageing is inevitable. Whilst we have no control over our chronological age, if we proactively take care of our physical and mental wellbeing, we can influence our biological age. The chances of living a full, healthy, enjoyable life are higher than ever, when we make good lifestyle choices to maximise the benefits and minimise the drawbacks of getting older. While it is appreciated that we are all wired differently, how we age and how we feel about it influences our lifestyle choices.

Increased longevity offers so many opportunities. What choices are you making?

Looking for an inspirational speaker on Age and Opportunity? Contact me kiaora@angelarobertson.nz