As we grow older, time seems to pass by faster and faster. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. And when you hit the age of 40+, the feeling of time flying by can be especially acute. You start to realize that you’ve already lived a significant portion of your life and that there’s no going back. It can be a sobering realization.
But getting older isn’t all bad. In fact, it can be a time of great growth and self-discovery. You’ve lived long enough to have gained a wealth of experience, and that experience can be incredibly valuable. You know what you want in life and what you don’t want. You’ve learned from your mistakes and have (hopefully) grown wiser as a result.
However, getting older can also bring about feelings of regret. You may find yourself looking back on your life and wishing you had done things differently. Maybe you didn’t take that job you really wanted because you were afraid of failure. Or maybe you didn’t pursue that passion because you thought it was too risky. Whatever the case may be, it’s never too late to start.
In fact, I would argue that there’s no better time to start than right now. Whether you’re 40 or 80, there’s always something new to learn, a new skill to acquire, or a new experience to have. The key is to be open to new possibilities and to embrace change.
Of course, change can be scary. It’s natural to want to hold onto what’s familiar and comfortable. But as the saying goes, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” If you want to grow and evolve as a person, you have to be willing to take risks and try new things.
So, what does that look like in practice? It could mean taking that job you’ve always wanted, even if it means starting at the bottom. It could mean signing up for that class or workshop that you’ve been putting off for years. Or it could mean simply taking a different route to work or trying a new hobby.
The point is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what you should start or stop doing as you get older. The only thing that’s certain is that time will keep moving forward, whether you like it or not. So, make the most of the time you have. Don’t let fear or regret hold you back from living the life you want to live. Start something new today, and who knows where it might take you.