I am completely charmed by the song “When I’m Sixty-Four” written by Paul McCartney when he was 14.
I am quite a bit closer to being 64 now than when I first fell in love with this tune in my teen years.
When I first heard it, I liked this idea of a full yet simple life filled with family.
Recently I celebrated a birthday, one that some people consider a milestone.
For me, I celebrate in my own ways, ways that are very personal to me.
This year, I felt particularly close to my future self during birthday “season.”
What will I be like when I’m 64? Or 84?
And how will today’s choices shape that experience?
So, today, I’ll play this game publicly.
When I’m 64…
- I am fit and active. I still do my regular workouts with weights and cardio in my living room for convenience.
- I stretch or do yoga each day to keep those tendons flexible.
- I write often, a little bit almost every day, even if only for my own eyes.
- I volunteer or work part-time in a position where friendly playfulness is a part of the job.
- I coach in my business almost full-time because I love to work.
- I probably have no interest in gardening. I doubt I’ll have stopped feeling aversion to outside chores by then.
- But I will also likely be surprised with the interests I’ve developed and the ones I’ve let go of. Maybe I do grow a green thumb – who knows?
- I have a friend that I meet at least monthly for walks around the lake.
- I live somewhere by a beautiful lake walking trail.
- I wake early and watch the sunrise with my herbal tea on the patio.
- I talk to my kids every week, even if only by text message or hologram. Ha!
When I made this list, I noticed that I didn’t think about material things but more about simple daily experiences.
I noticed my mind wanting to color in the outlines, wanting to be certain about what it’s like “there” based on what I am experiencing “here.” So human!
At 64, I want to be mentally engaged, physically peppy, and have authentic, connected social relationships.
I am open to what shifts in career and business.
And that information is good enough for me today.
It informs what I’d like to have as baseline habits.
And it creates a sense of freedom to let other things evolve as they may.
I think there is a lot of pressure these days to create a grand life, to get things “right.”
We do only live this human life once, as far as we know.
So, for me, it’s important that I like my life. I like who I am in my own company or the company of others, I like how I contribute to my community, and I appreciate the joys even when life events are sad or challenging.
What about you?
I invite you to write your own list of what you imagine life will be like when you are 64.
P.S. I invite you to fall in love with the “Less Stress, More Fun” podcast. Subscribe today! Each week’s episodes offer smart, fun ideas to reduce stress and boost your sense of playfulness.
