Get set for a new innings at 50 plus

Being over 50 years can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life — a time of growth and a period of regeneration. Middle age may be upon you but you have the experience of ‘life’ that goes with it!

The post 50s chapter brings not only experience but also greater understanding and appreciation. This is a time when reality kicks in and the dreams you had when younger become just visions.

Now, you are more perceptive and astute. You know what works and what doesn’t. You draw upon your experiences of people and situations and the necessity to be financially prudent — all these factors having equipped you to make decisions by utilising the facility of learnt perspectives.

Outside interests may now become more focused and will tend to be the catalyst to explore a newfound reservoir of energy. Furthermore, interests that formerly appeared too difficult or onerous, now seem accessible and ripe for exploration. In other words, you are now comfortable in your own skin for the first time in your life. You no longer feel the same pressure to conform or to satisfy the demands of someone else. Your 50s should be a time of new growth and freedom. However, as with every age group, there are challenges for the over 50s some of which will be unique to this period of your life.

The Empty Nest

This is a period when your children will usually have gone to college or have started work — which means that you will have to readjust to a quieter household comprising just yourself and your spouse.

There will, of course, be challenges and here is a just a sample of some that you may face during your 50s:

Personal medical problems may start to become an issue.

Ageing parents:

MANAGING