Turning 60 Soon: How I’m Preparing My Heart for a New Decade

Stepping into the future with hope and wholehearted intention

Beginning the next decade in my sixties is fast approaching! It really has been a year of discernment—reminding myself of my values, being more intentional with my time, and still creating those bucket‑list experiences I want to have while I am still on the planet.

One of the things I am pondering is how to celebrate my special day this year. How do I want to get the next decade started? Do I want a low‑key day doing things I enjoy in stillness and quiet, or do I want to plan a special event with those I love most—or something in between? It makes me think of that phrase, the world is your oyster! If there is one important lesson I’ve learned in my 50s, it’s this: do not wait for other people, places, or things to change. Choose to live despite whatever circumstances you are in the middle of. Reach out and plan fulfilling experiences. We can choose to do them alone, with a spouse, partner, or a friend. There is no “right” way—in other words, it’s what suits you!

My desire is to spend more time with family, creating memories AND still work toward experiencing those items on my bucket list—the “before I die” things I want to see or do—and create a plan to fulfill them. So, I sat down with my spouse the other day and started a list. We will continue adding to it with things we each want to explore individually and things we’d like to experience as a couple.

Below are a few things we came up with so far:

• Returning to Maine so we can experience the whale watching we wanted to do last time, but weather was an issue

• Walking the sandy beaches near Stuart, Florida, and West Palm Beach while also experiencing the Saint Lucie River

• Making a trip to Yellowstone and taking our furry friends along to join in the fun

• Watching a rocket launch in Texas

• Visiting the Canadian Rockies (dog sledding comes to mind!)

  
  

Thinking of these things gives us something to look forward to while also still enjoying family, each other, our pups, and our ordinary daily life. I’ve always had a bit of wanderlust in me, and I am grateful my spouse is game to come along and is beginning to offer insight into things he’d like to share. And your list may be completely different and not even involve travel—and that is okay! We have also started enjoying birdwatching and bird feeders, and we’re planning to grow a small garden together this spring—continuing to plant flowers and experiment with what grows best and where. Journaling, reading, learning new things, exploring new hobbies, campfires in the backyard, camping, and wandering through South Dakota State Parks… all of it brings joy.

The desire is to do as much as we can while we are still physically and mentally able to do it! Looking back, we both agreed that we have never regretted an experience we spent money on, but we have regretted certain material purchases. And the old adage “you cannot take it with you” came to mind. Stuff is simply stuff—it creates temporary happiness, not lifelong memories. Yet sometimes you need the stuff to create the experiences you desire, so it’s something to keep in mind and balance too.

So, if you are nearing 60 and wrestling with what life looks like now, look at your values again and intentionally reframe your next decade. If you want a tool to get you started, my The Next Right Step Guide is a free resource you may request here:

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Regardless of your next step, know that in this age and stage of life, wrestling with your purpose and how to spend the rest of your days is a normal part of the journey. If you are struggling, reach out for help; and if you are looking forward to the next decade with excitement, that is wonderful too. No person experiences this season in the exact same way—and that is okay. And who knows—maybe part of your purpose in this next chapter is to help someone else navigate this time in their life.

With grace,

Cindy

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