The majority of boomers are now in their 60s and 70s, and according to younger generations, they should look at slowing down in life. Boomers are disagreeing with this because, after all, you’re only as old as you feel. Here are 17 inspiring ways boomers are defying their age.
Encore Careers
For many boomers, retirement can become boring. It means it’s the perfect opportunity for them to look into encore careers and for some, pursue the career they’ve always wanted. They can use the knowledge they’ve picked up from their previous career to help them excel in their new one.
Cycling to Serve Others
Dwayne Dobschuetz, who’s a nurse in his 70s, cycles to the homes of seniors each day to ensure that he can help care for them. This is supported by Better Magazine, which writes, “Dobschuetz keeps himself fit by commuting to patients’ homes on a Northwestern Medicine purple bicycle, and as an avid cyclist, he wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Legal Advocacy for Orphaned Girls
After floods in Uttarakhand, India, left many children orphaned, Kalika Prasad Kala, a lawyer in his 60s, set up a trust in order to help educate girls who had lost their parents. It was a way to ensure that these girls were not forced into any early marriages and could still receive a full education.
New Business Ventures
Many boomers have started businesses in their later years. A main reason for this is having too much free time during retirement. Boomers don’t want to be sitting around doing nothing, so instead, they’re using their past experience to create successful businesses and follow their dreams.
Competitive Sports
Competitive sports aren’t just for younger generations; if boomers are physically able, then there’s nothing stopping them from taking part in activities such as marathons, cycling races, and much more. It’s a way to help their physical health and to become more involved in their community.
Pursuing Artistic Passions
With more free time, boomers now have the chance to explore their creative passions. They may have always wanted to spend time painting, writing, or playing music, and retirement is the perfect opportunity. These creative passions are perfect forms of mental stimulation and can help with a person’s mental well-being.
Traveling the World
NCL Newsroom writes, “According to research… by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) – the leading innovator in global cruise travel – over a third (37%) of Baby Boomers admit they have a new lease of life when it comes to traveling.” Traveling isn’t just for younger generations, and everyone should be allowed to experience the wonders of the world.
Learning New Skills
Learning is something that’s lifelong and not just for young people in school and college. With more free time, boomers now have the opportunity to attend classes and learn about things they’ve always wanted. This could be anything from writing courses to digital marketing classes.
Community Leadership
Just because boomers are aging doesn’t mean they can’t lead their community. Boomers have an extensive amount of life experience, which means they’re more experienced when it comes to politics and knowing what people want. It can be a great way to give boomers a new sense of purpose.
Smart Homes
Many younger generations think boomers are technophobes and shy away from all things related to technology. However, many people from the boomer generation are fully embracing technology in their homes. They’ve installed home-monitoring systems and internet-led thermostats to make their homes feel more comfortable.
Social Media
Many younger generations may think it’s uncool that their older relatives have a social media account, but boomers don’t care. They enjoy keeping in touch with friends and family and using the platforms to post about their lives. Boomers find it fun and don’t take it as seriously as millennials and Gen Z.
Becoming Fitness Instructors
Market Watch tells us that fitness instructor Robin Maginn is 64 years old and has become a success. She mainly caters to older people who want to focus on their fitness levels and be trained by someone of a similar age. It shows just how important staying fit is to boomers.
Advocating for Environmental Causes
Older adults care deeply for the environment and want to help in any way they can. They’ll advocate for environmental causes and may even help with cleanups or planting new trees to help their community. They want to create a healthier environment for the younger generations.
Skateboarding
Skateboarder Lloyd Kahn was still skateboarding when he was 76 years old. He would never go anywhere without his skateboard and helmet; it was a passion he pursued every day. It just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how old you are; boomers can still follow their passions, even if they’re in their 70s.
Stand-Up Comedy
Boomers understand there’s no age limit when it comes to comedy. In fact, they may even be funnier than younger comedians, as they’ve had more life experience. For some, comedy has always been a passion and something they want to master in their later years when they have more time.
Racing Sports
Rosemary Smith was still racing cars well into her 70s. According to the Irish Times, in 2017, she even became the oldest person to ever drive a Formula 1 car. Her story goes to show that racing isn’t just limited to younger people and boomers still have the physical capabilities for it.
Photography
Many seniors have started finding joy in photography. Boomers like the attention to detail that’s needed for photography and that they can use it as a way to express their creativity. It’s a hobby that can take them to new destinations, and they can even make new friends through photography classes.