As we roll over from 2024 to 2025, let’s think together about these questions:

• What do I want to make sure I continue in 2025?
• What do I want to make sure I discontinue in 2025?

These questions don’t refer only to things we do. They also may be things we think or feel or pay attention to.

Women Over 50: What’s Your Intention for Next Year?

I think this type of end of year assessment is important for everyone, but it’s especially important as we get older. The longer we live, the more entrenched our habits can become if we’re not careful. These habits may be actions and behaviors, but they also can be opinions and preferences formed years ago. If we really examine them, do they still serve us? Do they represent the kind of older women we want to be and to become?

Let’s Start With Behaviors or Actions

Are you taking care of yourself physically as well as you want to? Our bodies will carry us into our advancing years, and how robust we are will significantly affect our overall quality of life. Newer research has shown that lifestyle has a much bigger impact on physical health than genetics, as was previously thought. And even small lifestyle changes can make a positive impact.

For example:

• Are you getting at least moderate exercise four to five times a week?
• Are you eating little to no added salt and sugar? This one is hard since both salt and sugar are abundant in most packaged foods. It helps to stick to fresh protein (chicken, fish), fruits, and vegetables.
• Are you drinking plenty of good quality water and getting at least seven hours of sleep most nights?

For an extensive discussion of all of this, see Ageless Aging by Maddy Dychtwald and Kate Hanley.

These are things we all know, but are you doing them? If not, will you commit to doing at least one in 2025?

Now Consider the Quality of Connection You Have With Others

Many of us have smaller and smaller circles of contacts as we leave the workforce. Our kids are off to live their own lives, friends move to be closer to children and grandchildren, and people who have been important to us leave this earth. It can take a concerted effort to find and move into new circles of friends or just to find women we feel an authentic connection with.

Is this an area for you to pay attention to in the new year? If so, what initial steps can you take? Here are some ideas:

• Have you met anyone recently whom you would like to see again, but you felt hesitant to suggest a coffee or lunch? She might be just as happy to spend some time with you as you would be with her.
• Do you have an interest that has fallen by the wayside because you don’t have anyone to do it with? For starters, check out local meetup groups on sites like Meetup.  There are groups for almost anything you might be interested in.
• If you’re still working, are you allowing that to take up so much time that you don’t have the time or energy to see friends or family? Try scheduling get-togethers in advance, before your calendar is too booked up.

Maybe It’s Time to Examine Opinions and Preferences

Where did they come from? Many of us retain opinions from childhood that mirror what our parents and early friends thought. If this is true for you, are your attitudes toward politics, social issues, and world concerns still in line with what YOU really think today? Are they serving you? Are they in line with the older woman you want to become?

Our world has changed significantly in the past thirty, forty, fifty years. Have your attitudes, opinions, and preferences kept up? A sure way to be unhappy is to hold on to a mindset that no longer reflects reality. We can’t go back to a former time; we can only work to build the kind of future we want for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.

Have I gotten preachy in this post? If so, I apologize, but I think you can hear how important these issues are to me. And, as always, you’re welcome to disagree with whatever I say!

Happy whatever holidays you celebrate as 2024 draws to a close. I hope the season brings you joy and brings all of us peace, love, and caring for one another and for our planet. And don’t forget to think… Women Over 50: What’s Your Intention for Next Year?

Learn More…

The Prime Spark Membership Community is designed for women age 50 (or close) and older to support one another. We learn and grow together while furthering the mission of Prime Spark.

Membership currently is closed. If you’re interested in joining, please send an email to [email protected] and ask to be placed on the waitlist.

To learn more about Prime Spark, go to www.primesparkwomen.com.