Are you looking forward to the rest of your life?

Can you picture how you want it all to turn out? Because that’s the secret. Visualizing what you really want.

Oh and not waiting for life to happen TO us, but taking steps to make it happen FOR us.

Once we hit fifty or later, life can start to look more finite and less infinite…

I don’t say that with pessimism, just a healthy dose of realism.

If that isn’t a kick in the ass to get started I don’t know what is! Let’s start with a foundation shall we? Once you have the four pillars down cold, you can move on to the fun stuff 😉

The Rest of Your Life: the Four Pillars of Change

1. Your inner life, thoughts and feelings
2. Your look, style and how you feel about your body
3. Your home, where you find peace and security
4. Your love life, and relationships.

Change what’s not working in any (or all) of these four pillars and you’re on the right path.

1. Your Inner Life

Start by questioning your thoughts, because they can run our lives in ways we don’t even realize.

• Realize your thoughts aren’t you. Are they true? Are you sure?
• Act from your highest self.
• Pay attention to how you feel, listen to your gut.
• Don’t wait for life to change FOR you.
• Let go of expectation of how things should be.
• Roll with it. Be content and grateful with what you have right now.

2. Your Outer Life & Style

Real confidence comes through when we express our true style.

• Be open to letting new hues and softer colors into your life
• If you don’t feel fabulous in it, don’t wear it!
• Discover your best assets and learn what flatter them.
• Don’t be afraid to try a new hairdresser, a new hairstyle
• Dress for you

3. Your Home and Security

Be ready to downsize, up-size or move abroad for a positive change in your home life.

• Ask yourself – does your current community support you?
• How much space do you actually need?
• What brings you the most joy and how can you be closer to it?
• What location calls to you?

4. Your Love Life

Let go of the past. Unlock your heart to be ready for new or renewed love.

• Start with loving yourself unconditionally
• Single or not, realize you can be a magnet for love
• Reach for supportive friends but drop those who make you doubt yourself
• Pay attention to how you are treated, actions matter not words
• Create loving habits for yourself

The Rest of Your Life Starts Here

Grab a lined notebook. I use the cheap ones with spiral binding because they fold flat!

Use the four pillars to explore your feelings in each area. Journal and write down what ideas, feelings and changes you’d like to explore. At the end of each pillar, add some action steps. What changes could improve each area of your life?

1. Inner life – is awareness helping you change how you respond?
2. Outer Life – did changing your look and style make you feel differently about yourself?
3. Home – are you looking at your home and neighborhood with fresh eyes?
4. Love Life – has your relationship with yourself changed?

Writing down your thoughts and ideas can open your mind and emotions to thinking of these four areas in a different way. Don’t forget to write down a timeline. Give yourself a goal of revisiting your journal in 3 or 6 months time to chart your progress.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Add the Extra Sauce

Now that you’re tracking your four pillars,  it’s time to connect with your passions. Life is supposed to be fun! Fun is the special sauce that makes life worth living, right? Our four pillars keep us rooted, but the extras light us up!

This is where you let your inner girl out. What did she always love to do?  List what lights her/you up next.

Mine would look like this:
– dancing to loud music
– walking by the sea
– spending time with my son
– traveling in Europe and the UK

You get the idea. It’s a simple list of what floats your boat. You KNOW what you love!

The next step is adding these simple pleasures into your life.  Too often we put them off for “some day”. We think because they’re SO simple, they’ll just happen. But making time to make them happen is your goal.

What simple pleasure can you give attention to today?

Prompts for the Rest of Your Life

1. Don’t wait. Start today.
2. Shift your thoughts to positive expectation. Say “I’m ready” “I believe” “I am”
3. Visualize how happy you’ll be. See yourself walking on a beach.
4. For each item on your passion list, take an action.
5. Take more action. Go to the library or order books if you’re a reader. Order some roses for your garden.
6. Big desires start with small steps. Want to spend more time in another country? Get online and plan.
7. Each time you take a step, reward yourself with a goal related treat (travel book for ex)

Keep taking small steps, writing down your progress and visualizing your awesome life. Stay in a positive state of expectation and believe your life is changing.

Be ready to step out of your comfort zone and take the first step.

Make the most of the rest of your life by recognizing what makes you happy, then taking action.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting until tomorrow honey pie. They’re not making any more time; you can’t buy it at the superstore!

Today is all you have, make it count.

Keep track of your journey and thoughts with this journal. Get a little extra “over 50” advice on my Youtube channel!

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave