There are three main things I look forward in old age. One, I am looking forward to spending time with my significant other without having to leave each other to go to work. That leads to my next point, being able to get up and leave to go on vacation. Lastly, being surrounded with family. I also plan to not waste anytime. As getting older can come with diseases your life is not promised. That is why I plan to spend time with the people I know and love. This mindset can be identified as the socioemotional selectivity theory (Finley 2020). Many older people lose a meaning to their life when they get older or the day they retire (Fried 2015). When the time comes I plan to have a traditional retirement. This means when I retire, I will have a daily routine, and obtain hobbies. With the free time of not working, I also plan on volunteering. Volunteering can help me find a new meaning in life, which would most likely be to help those in need. This will also help me remain active, physically and mentally. Both in class and in the article, discussed different options on volunteering options. Since I plan on becoming a teacher, foster grandparents really caught my attention. Essentially, you are paired up with a troubled student and you have to mentor them. I think knowing I have the opportunity to positively impact students will bring me so much joy. Finding a new meaning and being with your loved ones really give me hope that getting old is not so bad. When you find a new meaning, you find a new purpose in life. You get the opportunity to change your life up a bit, depending on how you will find your new meaning. Whether that be in a new hobby, volunteering or being with family. The socioemotional theory gives me hope that being with family will bring me joy. That it is okay to be selfish with my time.
What I plan to do so that my chances of my dreams of old age is to save up. Although money doesn’t bring all the happiness it will fulfill my dream of traveling with my husband. It is never too early to save up. Saving now will save me the hassle of worrying later in life if I will have enough money to travel to all the places I want to go to. I will also try my best to keep myself healthy. Being healthy will give me the chance to live a longer life. After today, it made me realize that getting old isn’t going to scary. Although you might not have enough time, there is time to make new memories.
Sources:
Finley, K. (2020). Positive Aging [PowerPoint presentation]. Retrieved from Moodle.
Fried, L. P. (2015, February 6). Making Aging Positive. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/06/valuing-the-elderly-improving-public-health/371245/.
Rebecca Cardenas 