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