Tessie’s Two Cents

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Never too old to have a good day

Dear Tessie,

My good friend and I are discussing taking a big trip. We are both 70, and we think it’s high time that we get to see some places we’ve never been. All our children can’t say enough about how we have no business running off at our age. We’re both in good health, we are retired, and we have nothing holding us back. Is there anything really wrong with traveling as old women?

Regards,

T & L

 

Dear T & L,

Girls, especially at this point in your lives my advice is simple. Take the trip. Visit the landmarks, enjoy the scenery, and don’t worry yourselves one bit about what other folks might think. Of course I’ll tell you to have safety plans and to be checking in with someone who knows your trip plans, but I’d tell that to anybody, no matter their age.

It pains me to think that folks are still stuck in the mindset that life needs to stop when you’re older. So many studies and statistics show that adventures and staying active is some of the best stuff you can do for yourself as you age. Novel activities keep your brain fresh. Physical activity pumps that blood and oxygen through your veins and keeps you young.

And the truth is, why not take that trip now? Especially if you never got to take it when you were younger. It’s not like you’ve got a reason to save it for next year. Being in a financial and life position that a trip can be taken means you should take it.

See, you’re told for years to be responsible and to plan accordingly, save your money and all that. But by the time you reach retirement so many folks suddenly insist that you’re meant to just sit around. Absolutely not! We’re not meant to keep our heads down and work all the time just to finally reach an arbitrary destination in age and keep our heads down because we’re old. My how I wish someone had told us when we were younger to take that trip. There are adventures I surely never got to have, and if I was to admit any regrets, that would be it.

Don’t wait around to get any older than you are right now, don’t hold back because you feel like you’re obligated to follow any old theory or “normal” behavior. Take chances, take risks. Go on the adventure. Learn new things. Have fun. Learn lessons! You’re never too old to have a good day and a fun time.

Love,

Tessie