Hi friends. Welcome to a new and fresh series for 2026 called Life After 60! Beginning this month, December 2025, and going on through 2026, I’m going to introduce and share a series of life changes I will be making or already made.
Some of what I present to you will be a bit like my usual blog posts, with sub-headings/sub-titles to break things up and informational content. But, and this is the part I’m most excited and scared about, some of it will be in essay form. I’ll present my take and opinion of changes I make. There will be little to no sub-headings, no outgoing links to help you find information online.
Please note this is not a New Year’s Resolution; rather these are well thought out and pre-planned long-term tasks I’ve made in my personal Life Map for 2026.
What to Expect from the “Life After 60” Series
Change, lots of change in my life.
- Observations from the changes I want to make from my “Life Map 2026.”
- I’ll write opinion essays about life as I see it
- And more essays that may be seen as quirky/silly including “what-if” or “what would you do” content.
- I want, need, and must work on getting physically healthier. This means I will keep changing my eating habits until I get it right, finding a doctor, and other specialists I need.
- I will be looking for a part-time job as a writer this year.
- I want to write a series of children’s books based on my years as a nanny.
- How I view the world and the things that are happening.
- Stop swearing. 2025 brought out a “potty mouth” in me that I didn’t know I had. I’ve noticed a lot more words I don’t usually use slipping out a lot lately. I have been dropping some words that would make a sailor blush. It has happened so much that my sister, who uses colorful language herself, commented on my language. For me. It’s not acceptable; that’s now how I talk. I know that most of that stems from the frustration and stress I’m feeling about how I have let my life happen right now.
- I’m considering a YouTube channel to coincide with this blog. I’m going to start submitting information on Instagram, too. I’ll write about the whole scary thing.
There has been an enormous amount of stress, and that hasn’t been handled well this year. I know I haven’t controlled the things I can control, and I’ve let go because of fear. Sometimes I feel frozen by fear and choose to do nothing; doing nothing is suffocating.
My Theme for the Year: Do It Scared
I don’t pick a “word for the year,” and work to live by that word. For me it’s not authentic. But I have picked a theme: “DO IT SCARED!”
Change is the one constant in our lives, and sometimes change is scary. Certainly, all my plans (which are do-able) are scary.
As much as I’ve heard this before, it was November 2025 when I finally understood that I’m the only one holding me back from life. Getting in my own way and giving into fear has ruled me for too long now.
Like you, I’m in the last third of my life. I’m 63, still a novice in my 60’s, and playing it safe isn’t working any longer. I don’t want to live my life from the sidelines. I have a voice, I will use it, and hope you learn from me through my mistakes and successes.
As usual, for this blog, there will only be kindness. I’ll demonstrate self-kindness and a healthy dose of “DO IT SCARED,” too. I’ll share what I learned about myself as I make mistakes while navigating through new challenges in 2026.
[IMAGE SUGGESTION: A photo of a winding walking path or a beautiful journal.]
- Caption: Change is constant, but we can choose to do it scared together.
- Alt Text: A beautiful winding walking path through a park, symbolizing the journey of life after 60.
Join the ‘Life After 60’ Conversation
I’ll need help, too. I ask you to join in with your thoughts, ideas, and opinions (keep it kind), during the changes I’ll make.
None of this will be easy, but it’s necessary, doable, scary, and exciting. Will you join me as I make some important changes in my life? Will you share your important changes as well?
I hope you enjoy this series of blog posts. I would very much appreciate it if you participated after every post by letting us know how you’re living your life after 60. Or, if you aren’t sure what to say, just stop by and say hi!
Thank you for your time
Choose kindness for others and especially for yourself; you deserve it.
JoAnn
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