By Asia Negrón-Esposito

Joie de vivre, or joy of life, is what gives us the motivation to stay alive. But upon retiring, when everything stops, sometimes there isn’t much joy to go around.

The unbearable cacophony of silence can be overwhelming. Watching soap operas on television soon pales. But as with any stage in your life, retirement requires preparation.

Doing things you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for can be liberating; however, don’t let stereotypes of aging defeat you before you start. Statements like “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” or “it’s all down hill from here” can be discouraging. Remember that aging is a process, not a disease. It is a stage that hopefully we’ll all be around to experience.

Reaching a certain age can give you freedom to morph into the butterfly you’ve always known you are. Why, at that point, should we settle for the mundane? If you are to beat the statistics and live 15 to 20 years after retirement, meaningful activities are necessary.

Going out to lunch with friends, reading books and involving yourself in senior programming are all good activities, but after several years they tend become meaningless and banal.

Start by making an inventory of hobbies you enjoyed at different ages. This might stretch back as far as your rock collection as a youngster. An interest in minerals can lead to membership in a geology club, going on digs and socializing with others your age – you get the exercise and the networking.

Or, perhaps your creative bent pushes you toward painting or the arts. Take up watercolors, join a drama club or engage in just about any activity that stretches your abilities. You could even learn a new language, as that is an excellent way to stay sharp.

The main goal is avoid doing what you’ve always done. For example, don’t volunteer as an accountant if you spent your working life in an accounting firm. Volunteering is a wonderful way to fill your time, but these new experiences should push you toward an endeavor that challenges you, teaches you new skills and awakens you in a way mundane lunch dates just can’t do.

Most of us at a retirement age have completed our immediate responsibility for children, so now invest in your own inner child. What gives you joy?

Don’t be afraid to experiment and risk a little. Expanding your comfort level will create new pathways for mental and emotional development. Make this mature stage of your life the best and most fulfilling. Joie de vivre was made for times like these.

Interested parties can contact Shirley Tanzola at 505.291.9332 or stanzola@swcp.com.