Open Thread Update: Late in Life Habits
Last time we asked about late in life habits – the behaviors we’ve adopted that give us joy and add to the quality of our lives.
Like Lina, who puts a new spin on a new habit…
Now that I am retired, I take 1 or 2 “hypnosis naps” most days. Sometimes I fall asleep until the end, when I wake up feeling clear-headed. Sometimes I just listen and get deeply relaxed.
Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?
And it’s great to see comments from folks like Susan and Kate about exercise in their lives……
I started doing WORDLE every morning during the pandemic. I also started exercising on Zoom with my 2 sisters 4-5x/wk and teaching a qi gong class weekly.
-Kate
It’s also great to note how many late in life habits are linked in some way to technology, from Lina‘s laptop for her collection of mp3’s to Roxie’s webcam habit to watch wildlife and hit the beach (check this feature out, Roxie!), to power user Maryanne:
Late in life I was given an iPad by my children. At first I didn’t know what to do with it. Now, at 83 I do EVERYTHING on it. It’s a resource library to find out almost anything., a large print book depository, a financial resource, a game source , and on and on ad infinitum. I enjoy my life so much, with significant iPad assistance all day long. I’m never bored, I stay in touch, I manage my money, all relatively easily and enjoyably.
There’s plenty other great ideas for you to try in the comments, like Billie Lucille‘s Happy Hour, and Wendy‘s lovely way to start her morning.
Read them, try them, and add your own – and let us know if Senior Planet played a role in your new habit!
Original text:
I’ve known my friend Chuck for more than 40 years. After that time you’d think I’d know pretty much everything about him over the years – how he dislikes air conditioning or ice in his drinks, his eclectic music taste, his hobbies.
So it was a big surprise to me to learn that he recently became a fan of Jeopardy. This is not a casual thing – he’s actually postponed gigs to watch the show in real time.
The funny thing is that lately I’ve been doing it too. I am a trivia fan (and occasional host) but I have only recently picked up the addiction as well.
Does it help my memory? Yes and no. Sometimes I can’t retrieve a fact in time; other times I’ll spontaneously get the answer without thinking, like I’m speaking in tongues!
Now I’ll even call Chuck to dish about the categories or wonder how the front runner blew the final Jeopardy answer. (“How could they not know the Warren Commission?”)
Could it be something about game shows? My friend Carol always turns on Wheel of Fortune even if she doesn’t sit down and watch. It’s a mystery – and a habit.
Late in Life Habits
I acquired some other habits late in life, too. When I was younger I was a much bigger slob. Now, its essential that I put things back where I got them. The second I enter my apartment, my keys go on a magnetic hook on my door. I use the same section in my purse for my phone, my keys and my hearing aid case.
Is it a memory thing? A time saving thing? Whatever it is, it’s a thing. And I got the habit when I got older.
Your Turn
But that’s me. What about you? What habits have you acquired late in life? Share your story in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
Photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash
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Comments
The things that I’ve started later in life: Mixed media art and art journaling – so good for my spirit and soul! And I don’t have to worry about not being an ‘artist’.
Bullet journaling which helps with memory, tracking my health and chronic issues, my nutrition, glucose, medications, blood pressure and gives me a place to do some writing or doodling as well. And a daily gratitude practice.
Seated exercise and seated yoga help with just about everything, from attitude to balance.
Have coffee and do the Wordle and the Sutom ( a French word game) every morning ; some oatmeal with a fruit of the day, and then play piano for an hour or more. I love to have music in my head to start the day! No toxic media. And I try to write several paper letter to friends every other day. It’s great to read about others’ routines and ideas too.
First thing in the morning, I feed my dog, Charlie, and then we go out to the backyard and let our 4 hens out of their coop. They are 2 years old —Charlie loves “his” hens! I check on their feed and water, clean the coop, and then walk the yard with a scoop and bag to clean up the yard. (That happens three times a day. Four hens and a dog can make quite a mess!) I start my day with some great exercise, fresh air, and a nice visit with my crew. Then we’re ready for our day. It’s wonderful!
I have the good fortune to pick up grandkids from preschool and grade school every weekday in my amazingly comfortable and useful Chrysler Pacifica. That has become the greatest joy of my life!
I’ve returned to many things I used to do before having and raising kids. And delightful new things. I especially like starting my day with some word games and then doing Tai Chi to You Tube instructors.