AGING BABY BOOMERS MOURN THE LOSS OF TIME

AGING BABY BOOMERS MOURN THE LOSS OF TIME

Aging Baby Boomers' life-clocks are ticking so loudly it sounds as if alarm bells are announcing our remaining time is dwindling. Gulp! Gasp! Deep Breath!

Does this solemn news re-inspire you to emphatically say 'Yes' to do what you have always wanted to do (but kept postponing), with whomever you choose ... or alone?

And, to say 'No' to whatever you do not want to do and to those with whom you do not want to spend precious time? No exceptions. No excuses. No regrets. No more waiting.

Pre-Covid-lockdowns, most boomers were completely over-and-done with the process of regretting the time we had wasted and disrespected on silly things, and even sillier people.

Once that was accomplished, boomers - especially retired first-wavers and midpointers - got busy sorting through and emptying bucket lists, as well as organizing and fulfilling wish lists.

Overall, we focused on achieving our aspirations - new ones or those put on hold, decades ago.

Last-wave boomers who are still working, with children living at home, were looking forward to retirement and empty nests.

Except ... we know what happened. Covid-lockdowns put our bucket and wish lists on pause. Each passing day, week, then month of lockdowns stacked another layer of mold on our bucket and wish lists.

Post-lockdowns, albeit the sadness and tears may linger, let's wipe away the mold and move forward with a renewed commitment to respect and appreciate time.

Take a step forward by reaffirming the intention of doing what you want, when you want, and with whom you want.

By the way: Thank you for spending time reading this blog.

COMMENTARY

A popular item on Baby Boomers' wish lists is to have at least one more fantastic adventure. Well, a lot more. Why not?

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com

AGING BABY BOOMERS' LOCKDOWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 AGING BABY BOOMERS' LOCKDOWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Baby Boomers do not need Captain Obvious to tell us the Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have adversely affected our lives. We. Know.

Despite all the hardships, there were a few positive outcomes.

One positive is that a lot of boomers, who pre-lockdowns were not computer proficient, have become tech-savvy. Most used this improved ability to explore the virtual realm. That is, connect more fully to the outside world, from home.

Being online gave us the opportunity to upgrade skills, awaken dormant talent, be entertained, and, of course, shop - either out of necessity or boredom.

A large portion of boomers enrolled in online classes to study languages, learn to play musical instruments, write memoirs, do DIY home improvements, and ... 

A number of us rekindled lost friendships via Internet searches. Did you?

Remember life before computers? Yep. All of us do. Thus, we do not need our imaginations to envision what the lockdown year would have been like if computers/Internet did not yet exist.

What was your initial reaction to computers and the Internet? Were you eager, tentative, or not interested?

Our interest levels were irrelevant if we had careers that compelled us to learn how to use this new technology, and learn quickly. It was especially helpful if we lived with, or near, 14 year-olds.

Even though it may have been a struggle at first, eventually most boomers acquired the basic skills to maneuver the mouse, picked-up 'geek' terminology, and overcame computer-intimidation. One huge challenge was overcoming the fear of making mistakes that would cause irreparable damage. Ahhhh... the good ole days.

COMMENTARY

Baby Boomers have indeed come a long way. Big applause to us for our amazing accomplishments.

Case in point: This blog exists and you are able to read it thanks to our awesome computer skills. Cheers!

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com

AGING BABY BOOMERS' POST-LOCKDOWN 'TO-DO LISTS'

AGING BABY BOOMERS' POST-LOCKDOWN TO-DO LISTS

Moving forward, post lockdowns, will you resume your life exactly where you left off, pre-Covid? 

Or, has lockdown-alone-time (see previous blog) revealed a need/desire for life changes? If so, the next step is compiling a revised To-Do List.

Generally, Baby Boomers' top To-Do List revisions involve relationships and places of residence. As expected, a few will be fairly easy to implement, others very difficult.

Are you one of the boomers who has decided to reconcile with estranged family and/or friends? Are you among those who have chosen to end negative relationships? If you have opted to do both, which will be easier for you to accomplish?

Certainly, a difficult To-Do item is solving cohabitation issues. A number of boomers realized too much lockdown-togetherness revealed incompatibility with romantic partners. For instance, traits that used to be tolerable have become intolerable (get on our last nerve) Now what?

Some couples are waiting for life to get back to 'normal' before making final decisions about cohabitation. Is it possible that reactivating social activities and being busy with outside distractions will lesson relationship tension? If not, it is decision time. Gasp!

Conversely, boomers who live alone realized too much isolation revealed the need/desire for companionship. Where do we find companions at this age?

One suggestion is to seek buddies: people to share specific activities and interests - without expectations and pressure for deep connection, i.e. workout buddies, movie buddies, concert buddies, et cetera.

Quite a few boomers have decided to relocate because travel restrictions revealed the need/desire to live closer to loved ones.

Moving to a new home in a new location is always difficult. It just is. However, the difficulty is usually temporary and worth it.

Additional To-Do List topics range from important resolutions to organize and complete 'end-of-life paperwork (Groan!) ... to trotting out the eternal pledge to be more active and improve eating habits. Didn't we ditch the fitness/lose weight pledge eons ago? But hey, maybe this time?

COMMENTARY

Baby Boomers are wise enough to expect obstacles to pop up throughout the To-Do List revision process.

Ideally: All obstacles are trivial and changes will go smoothly. Please!

Realistically: Several obstacles will be challenging to overcome and will require time, effort, patience, and commitment.

Harsh Reality: Lack of financial resources and/or medical issues may prevent boomers from reaching all goals. Hopefully, solutions are found to at least partially fulfill your list.

Whenever we encounter obstacles it helps to repeatedly remind ourselves why we are updating To-Do Lists. The intention is: To 'Live Our Best Lives.' Go for it!

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

AGING BABY BOOMERS' LOCKDOWN INSIGHTS

 AGING BABY BOOMERS' LOCKDOWN INSIGHTS

The lockdown year may be described as 'An Adult Time-Out.' After all, we were cut-off from most, if not all, family and friends. Similar to being grounded, we could not go outside and enjoy fun social activities.

Distraction-free alone-time left Baby Boomers with only our thoughts for company. Uh-oh! Inevitably, we reflected on life's journey, thus far. Double Uh-oh!!

Mainly, boomers measured our happiness vs. unhappiness levels. Low happiness scores led to pesky questions, such as whether we had settled for less that what we actually want/wanted, regarding relationships (or lack thereof), living situations (where we live, with whom we live), et cetera.

And, that led to trips down memory lane, with occasional stopovers to ponder: 'what was I thinking when I ...;' 'why did I choose ...;' 'what decisions steered me to present circumstances ...;'  and other mysteries.

Some insights generated deep self-analysis in order to clarify decision-making rationale. Boomers attempted to unravel troublesome conundrums, such as: 'why do I have relationships with certain people, particularly relationships that lack joy and fulfillment but provide plenty of heartache and disappointment.'

These thought-sessions often concluded with the mind-boggling, always-powerful question: 'Why do people (I) stay in unhappy relationships?'

On the other hand, some of us reviewed significant breakups and decided at least one, maybe several, may possibly be repaired. As a result, quite a few boomers are in the process of mending long-standing feuds and reconciling with estranged family members and friends. Have you? Will you?

COMMENTARY

Typically, most Baby Boomers confronted past regrets back when we conducted midlife reviews. Then, many of us vowed to stop accumulating regrets, with the intention that our end-of-life reviews would be regret-free.

Do not be dismayed if lockdown introspections revealed you did indeed accumulate additional regrets. Or haven't completely let go of old ones. Most boomers have the same experience. Join the club.

Frankly, it is almost impossible to have zero regrets. Nonetheless, moving forward post lockdowns we have a chance for a fresh start.

Use this opportunity to aim high and once again declare vows of No More Regrets. Maybe Baby Boomers will be the ones to achieve this lofty goal. Hooray for us!!!

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  drwendykyman@gmail.com

 

CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Remember when we trusted lockdowns would only last 2 weeks? Ooops! 

Lots of Baby Boomers used the supposed brief break to tidy closets, attics, garages, and basements.

We did jigsaw puzzles, read or re-read classics, watched old movies, sorted through photos, et cetera.

Our interest in those projects was short-lived. The lockdowns were not. Sure our closets looked good - so what. Boomers wanted our lives back. But our lives were forced to change direction and take a nightmarish detour.

Generally speaking, we missed everyone and everything that gave our lives purpose.

We missed the pleasures that contributed to our joy.

We missed endeavors and adventures that inspired us to pursue and accomplish new objectives.

As time went by anguish increased and the emotional wellbeing of countless boomers deteriorated. Many of us felt varying degrees of emptiness, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, misery, and other signs of distress.

With lockdowns mostly ended, the task now is to activate our Baby Boomer superpower to regain emotional wellbeing and move forward. How?

COMMENTARY

How do Baby Boomers recover and regain emotional wellbeing?

Ultimately, we need to be proactive, not reactive, to find ways to release a year's worth of pent-up emotions that have left us emotionally shaken, unsettled, maybe even traumatized.

One way to be proactive is setting goals.

Next, focus on a plan. What course of action will you take to reach your chosen goals?

Decide if you will go on a solo recovery journey or rely on supportive family and friends to heal.

NOTE 1: Try this seemingly simplistic but proven successful approach.

Joy, love, and laughter are healing. Frankly though, they will not automatically erase all negative emotions. If only...

Still, focusing attention on positive emotions, rather than being immersed in negative ones, is a worthy goal.

Therefore, why not set a goal to pursue whatever and whoever brings joy to your life? Add large doses of love and huge portions of laughter.

NOTE 2: Life experience has taught Baby Boomers that one-size does not fit all. If the above recovery plan doesn't resonate with you, keep searching for a plan that does. Do not give up until you regain your version of a 'zest for life!'

NOTE 3: Heartfelt condolences to boomers who feel overwhelming grief for the loss of loved ones - or other reasons. If you believe the emotional trauma is too severe to overcome, give yourself the gift of counseling.

A well-trained, reputable professional will help you navigate through your pain and sorrow. Sending wishes that you receive whatever is needed to bring comfort and to ease the recovery journey.

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com

CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

After a year focused primarily on Covid, aging Baby Boomers are starting to assess our current physical wellness status.

Were you one of the many boomers who avoided (neglected) all non-Covid-related medical and health needs?

For example:

Did you cancel regularly scheduled doctor and dental appointments?

Did you suspend in-process treatments for medical conditions?

Did you delay diagnostic screenings and tests?

A lot of boomers also discontinued our usual physical activity.

A year later, comparing pre-pandemic levels with current ones, quite a few of us notice decreased agility, muscle tone, strength, flexibility, et al. Groan!

Another unwelcome result: Over-indulging in delicious comfort food combined with lack of physical activity equals ... you guessed it ... weight gain. Sigh!

On a shallow note: We may as well blame Covid and lockdown-related stress for sags that have gotten saggier, bags that have gotten baggier, wrinkles that have gotten wrinklier, and on and on. Sob!

COMMENTARY

As lockdowns ease, vaccines continue to be administered, and effective therapeutics become more widely available, life will hopefully return to normal.

By the way, who gets to define normal?

We do!

Baby Boomers get to define (and redefine, whenever we choose) what is normal - for us.

Regaining optimal health and wellbeing is an essential step in the journey to our version of normal life.

NOTE: 'Optimal' is based on your customary wellness status.

That means resuming treatments for ongoing medical conditions, scheduling diagnostic screenings for suspected ailments, and attending to general health care issues - when you are ready, but as soon as possible.

Optimistically, in the foreseeable future boomers will feel safe participating in in-door group activities. When that time arrives, consider joining a gym. Or enroll in classes. Try yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, or ... 

Until then, use the warm weather as motivation to go outside and enjoy the sunshine (protected by sunscreen). Start with short walks and build up from there.

Just get active!

 

CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' COGNITIVE HEALTH & WELLBEING

 CONSEQUENCES OF LOCKDOWNS ON AGING BABY BOOMERS' COGNITIVE HEALTH & WELLBEING

PRE-LOCKDOWNS: Baby Boomers commiserated and joked among ourselves when sharing stories of memory lapses, lost words, communication blunders, and awkward oops incidents.

Our stories included frustrations regarding endless searches for forgotten names and misplaced items, plus other common age-related nuisances.

POST-LOCKDOWNS: Nowadays, although boomers may commiserate, hardly any of us are in the mood to joke after being deprived of necessary opportunities to keep our cognitive skills sharp - due to Covid-quarantines.

Nope. There is nothing funny about our brain activity (cognition) accumulating a bit (a lot) of rust while we were trying to avoid a heinous virus.

And, there is nothing surprising about a year of nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no social events affecting boomers' cognitive health and wellbeing.

Add stress to the mix, and the consequences are profound. Aaargh!

COMMENTARY

HARSH REALITY: To varying degrees, Baby Boomers will experience slower response times to questions, hesitancy in decision making, muddled thoughts, et cetera - when emerging from lockdowns.

Are we able to recover from 'rust-on-the-brain'? Yes.

Do we have to put effort into regaining our peak levels of cognitive health and wellbeing? Yes.

We are The Baby Boomers!

We can and will do it!!!

STAY TUNED ...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: drwendykyman@gmail.com