A headline caught my eye in the Lifestyle sections of the Wall Street Journal: “How to Avoid Being Boring at 60” by Rob LaZebnik.
LaZebnik was a writer and co-executive producer for The Simsons, so I hardly can see how he’d think his life was boring. Nonetheless, he said when he hit 60, he felt a vibe around him that all his stories had been told and friends found him boring.
From the article:
That’s when it hit me: I didn’t have anything new and exciting to tell them. My life had gotten entrenched in routine. Calcified, if you will. I had stopped evolving, and I think we all know what happens then—like the dodo, you stop flying, get fat and Dutch sailors eat you on their voyage home.
I needed to figure out a way to turn this around. I vowed to take that big, upsetting number 60 and remake it into something positive: I decided I would do 60 things I’d never done before. Maybe that would force me to forge new neural pathways in the dog-eared map that was my brain.
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/how-to-avoid-being-boring-at-60-1e9d087a?mod=lifestyle_trendingnow_article_pos1
He came up with a list of things he wasn’t interested in doing like sky diving or anything that could cause injury or be too expensive. The list he did come up with was unique and included things like sewing a shirt, going to a gay bar, attending a mega church and going on a police ride-a-long. (I did the police ride-a-long as a journalism student at the UW in Seattle.)
Once we hit middle age and the kids have left the nest, we do have a tendency to slow down. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. But if you look at too much routine, life can get boring. We can become boring, too.
The article made me reflect on my day-to-day life. What have I done to keep things interesting past 50 and into the 60s?
I joined a swim team, learned to swim and competed in swim meets (photo above). I learned how to dive off the blocks and could race a 50. I came dead last in my age group — but beat some 80-year-old swimmers.
I took up boogie boarding two years ago after not having ridden the waves since my kids were out there with me. I found it exhilarating and it made me feel young for those few moments riding a wave.
I was a guest on a podcast hosted by Wynne Leon and Dr. Vicki Atkinson on The Heart of the Matter.
I went to Sacramento and gave a talk to a group of swim parents due to my weekly swim parenting column on a website that had millions of readers per month. (Oh yes, I also started writing that column! Plus started a website where I interviewed swimming stars and coaches in Southern California). Public speaking is one of my biggest fears. I practiced and practiced. My son drove me to the meeting and sat in the audience, so I spoke directly to him.
That’s me near Santa Barbara last August, ready to boogie board.
My husband and I began playing ping pong regularly in our backyard after going on two vacations that had ping pong. We have a blast and the laughter keeps us young. Except I’ve fallen a couple times returning shots — which isn’t great.
We hike on desert trails near our house.
I’ve reconnected with friends that I haven’t heard from in decades.
What would I like to do that I haven’t done?
Perhaps take a writing class to help me revise my manuscript (suggested by LA from Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50.)
Travel to places around the world I’ve never been to.
Explore more of our new state.
What’s on your list of things to do to not be boring as you age?
What have you done that you believe keeps you young?
Oh my…that reminder to not become ‘calcified’ really hits a note of urgency, doesn’t it? Cheers to you…I love, love, love the action shot of you diving off the block. You look like a professional athlete, I’d say – an elite, competitive swimmer. I’ll be there for you cheering you on…and I’ll offer you a towel to congratulate you! Love the inspiration you’re offering in this post to keep growing, no matter what hurdles life throws at us. 🥰
Thank you. I was so terrified at the swim meets I went to. I was impressed with women competing in their 80s and 90s.
Me, too — just hearing about them – not even witnessing their skill. Wow! 😎
I’m also impressed with you. Writing and publishing “Surviving Sue” plus going to your first book festival 😊
Oh…you are so sweet. Thanks for that, my friend. xo! 🥰
😊
I think it’s great that you’re finding new things to do EA, as long as they seem interesting and fun to you. It’s great to be challenged to try things we normally wouldn’t. I also think settled is nice, having some predictability to life. I embrace my routines as much as I do other things now that I don’t have to be anywhere working anymore 🙂 I’ve hiked more, traveled more, taken classes, read different genres of books, write for a 2nd blog, made new friends… I think I have a decent mix of boring with new balanced in just the right way for me!
I totally agree with a balance of a routine and trying a few new things. I enjoy days at home with peace and quiet and my morning routine uninterrupted.
I don’t think I’m boring at 62. It’s all in how you view your life and life goals. I think blogging and being in touch with people all around the globe has increased my knowledge and awareness. My home life is never boring as there are 5 grandchildren in my family and they keep us entertained.
I do agree that our outlook has a lot to do with how we view our lives. Five grandchildren sounds amazing!
Yes very true. I’m quite laidback and very seldom crave adventure. For me , if life runs smoothly, it’s enough. Perhaps I’m easily pleased.
These 5 grandchildren are a huge blessing. The oldest is 13 and the youngest is 8 months old. They bring their own energy to our family gatherings.
I like a smooth life! We are hoping to have grandchildren someday, but it might not happen.
Who can say what the future holds. May one day you experience the joy of being a grandma.
I certainly hope so. Thank you💕
You’re most welcome 🥰
I like that: it reminds me of Eleanor Roosevelt’s “Never be bored, and you will never be boring.” 🙃
A nice quote! Thanks for sharing
Perfect!
I think COVID, lockdown and just the world in general have changed all of our lives, so that suddenly the word, “boring,” is being used. Traveling by plane is not the same. So, I don’t think this is a 60s boring situation, I think it is everyone trying to find some happiness in a sad world right now. Glad you have been venturing out.
I do agree with you that after being afraid to be among people during COVID changed everything. It has made me more of a homebody. Most of what I reflected on what I’d done, like learning to swim and entering swim meets, were pre COVID. These days it’s visiting with friends and family, walking each day and enjoying writing and blogging. Plus boogie boarding on our beach vacation and ping pong.
Yes, you are right. Lockdown taught us to find happiness with ourselves. Reminds me when we were kids, if we got bored, our parents would say, FIND something to do, quit saying you are bored. Now, kids use the phone, but all that surfing, doesn’t relieve their boredom, instead it creates anxiety… my opinion.
There’s a reason people who work in the tech industry don’t allow their kids to use phones and screens. It definitely creates anxiety.
I find myself agreeing with Deb and appreciating her word “settled”. I think contentment is a worthy goal. Maybe some people cannot be content without the ability to wow and impress with stories of new adventures, but I don’t think that is me. I don’t want it to be. I’m still working full time and having to stretch myself into molds of business proportions and I look forward to letting it go. I’d like to be really good at being the me God created me to be. I look forward to settling completely and only into that woman. No reinvention needed. 😉
I agree. I like my quiet life. But it was interesting to look back at times I left my comfort zone. I found it funny that a writer of The Simpsons thought he had a boring life.
You’re right – that is funny. And I’m proud of you for being so brave.
When I went to my couple swim meets, my daughter played “mom.” She held my towel, made sure I drank water, told me when to get into the pool to warm up and cheered at the end of the lane. It was so comforting to have the role reversal.
And she was an expert. She had been in the shoes herself, knew what you were feeling, and exactly which “mom” things were the most helpful. 🙂 I love it!
Yes! I couldn’t have made it without her. 💕
What’s on your list of things to do to not be boring as you age? Refuse to listen to naysayers who only want to complain and bring everyone around them down.
What have you done that you believe keeps you young? Writing a blog, keeping a garden, playing board games with my husband like we were kids again.
What words of wisdom for all of us. I can’t stand being around complainers. Playing like kids is what ping pong is for my husband and me. I want to start an herb garden. I need to add that to my list!
What a fun column EA. First, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your trips alone to Mexico and California beaches show me that you’ve got a fun life. (Of course, getting pulled over by Mexican cops who want whatever dollars you have in your pocketbook, counts as having an interesting life too. Ha, ha.) My wife and I have this discussion all the time. When the kids call, we always feel like we don’t have anything to compare with them. But when the call is over and we start to compare, we actually have a lot of things going on, it’s just hard to compare to a 25 year-old. Se la vie.
Thanks! Yes, the trips to Mexico are exciting, but the last one was too exciting! Can you imagine being the Executive Producer and Writer of The Simpsons and complain about a boring life? Things have slowed down since I was 25 — thank goodness!
Yes, yes, life has changed. Thank goodness. Ha ha
👍🏼
I love the fact that you are doing all of these things! You are a true inspiration to me. I’m taking notes because you’re only ten years older than me.
I’ll say that when I’m in my 60s, I want to be as active as you are. I started doing yoga this summer and now practice seven days a week. It’s one thing I know I’ll be able to continue to do as I get older.
Thank you for the kind comments! I used to do yoga, but unfortunately, I can’t continue it anymore. You never know what might happen. I had a ski accident and needed knee surgery. I could probably do yoga with modifications, but my leg doesn’t move like it used to!
Love this, Elizabeth! What a list you have. Boogie Boarding – that’s impressive and that picture is wonderful! I love how your son drove you to your speech – and your writing. It’s all so good. I’ll have to think about my list.
You are so busy, you probably don’t have time for a list! Your list can come after your kids go to college. I was so appreciative of my son. He also laughed at my jokes, which helped with the audience 😃
This is a great post, EA! What a couple of inspiring photos of you and your adventurous side. I think it would be fun to have a ping pong table, but we simply have no place to put one.
As for my not-boring life: publishing my first book and having the second in the process of publication. Traveling new places. I tried learning German (uh, not likely), downhill mountain biking, crafts with dried flowers and plants, creating a website. I would love to make a documentary film. Maybe write a novel.
You have quite a list of accomplishments. Downhill mountain biking I tried once, years before my ski accident. Publishing my first book is on my list. You definitely do not have a boring life, but enjoy so many different interests.
Such a non-boring post Elizabeth! Look at all the new things you have tried and succeeded at! Wow! I like the idea of taking a writing class. That would be helpful. I did stretch myself and took up tandem cycling with Larry, we walked the Camino De Santiago, and I published a book. I’m thinking that there are still places I’d like to see, things I’d like to experience, including learning a new language. This was so inspiring. Thanks for the lift. Hugs, C
You are the epitome of non-boring at 60! My goodness, look at what you have done in the past two years. I don’t know how you manage your cycling events and the Camino De Santiago. When my daughter was a senior at Utah and I was dog sitting during their winter training trip, I decided to ski every mountain resort in the area. Ugh. Knee surgery and a huge fallback in health. Then there’s your book! That took you a lifetime of memories and writing skills.