Life-long learning is both an exciting opportunity and a choice. It doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as simple as trying new produce at the farmer’s market or a different route on your daily walk. The benefits of life-long learning are many including those I outlined in the post “Keep your creative and intellectual edge in retirement.”
Possibilities For Growth
Today, there are so many possibilities and opportunities to grow in different ways both as individuals and as couples. To take advantage of these opportunities, we must work hard to prevent ourselves from falling into the RUT. I’ve seen it happen so often because without the structure of work, we need to try to find a new rhythm and to create new and interesting things to do with our time, talents, interests, and experiences. We should ask ourselves, “what am I supposed to be doing since I am no longer working?” The bottom line is: each of us has pursued a unique life path that may have included extensive education, multiple careers, a variety of relationships, caring for children and aging parents, and planning for retirement. What is the purpose of your life now? TRUST it is there to be found if you are interested and curious!
This is where lifelong learning comes in. It doesn’t have to stop after we leave formal education or our work environment. Learning keeps our brains active and keeps us socially engaged. It occurs when we are interacting with people in a class, working on a project, and going online to seek information. I’m finding myself doing that more and more. Remember the adage “use it or lose it” applies to every muscle in your body, including your brain.
Because you are unique and have different interests than any other person, you may find you differ from your partner in some of your interests. This is normal and advantageous for you. As you experience different activities and explore separate interests, you bring them back to your relationship to share with friends and family. If you’re doing an activity together, you will still share conversations about how you experienced that activity and the people you’ve met in the process. It really does keep life interesting and stimulating for all concerned. I’ll often share with my friends or husband a challenge of the day, like practicing a new and challenging piece on my piano, some computer function I’ve mastered without calling Geek Squad, or a book I’m reading or listening to on Audible.
We boomers grew up with the Peace Corps and some of our friends and siblings served in that program. Now people, as retirees, are going back to serve in the Peace Corps after they retire. It brings new meaning to that old saying, “it’s never too late!”
Today many universities are offering courses on numerous topics for those fifty and older. The Osher Lifelong Learning Educational Programs, founded by Bernard Osher, can be found in many universities. Some programs are free, and others require a small payment for a certain number of courses per year. It all depends on the university.
Refer to “Where to go for life-long learning” for more ideas. Regardless of what you’re interested in, you should challenge the learning curve every opportunity you get. There will be so much more to talk about with your family and friends.
AARP and the US Small Business Administration promote entrepreneurship as a career option for older Americans. The goal is to link Americans over age fifty with small business development resources, including workshops, conferences, and mentoring programs. Starting a new business can be an incredibly challenging yet satisfying learning curve.
Volunteering is yet another way to learn about areas of service unknown to you. You will meet new people and expand your social circle while helping others. Some of the service organization like Rotary International, Optimist International, and local community clubs help you build volunteering into your lifestyle. That’s why I joined our local Rotary Club. As I wind down my career and am working less, I have more time for volunteering, which I find very rewarding.
Take a healthy cooking class together with a friend or family member or separately. This may provide an opportunity to meet people who want to start a progressive dinner club.
Have fun! Take a dance class, a painting class, or play bridge with your partner or friend. It’s amazing how dancing can develop a spirit of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between partners. What a constructive metaphor for your relationship. Whether you’re single or married, a variety of activities are a great way to expand your circle of friends.
These are only a few of the many ways to use your desire to learn and stay engaged relationally, socially, intellectually, and emotionally and remain interesting and interested. As you can see, life-long learning doesn’t have to be hard.