The International Women’s Writing Guild used to ask its members in their newsletter: “Who are you?”
Who you are can change as you get older.
Your orientation to life can change post-illness.
Self-growth and even fun can be had in doing new things to shake up the doldrums.
I’m not the same person I was when I was 22. Heck–I’m not the same person I was when I turned 50.
Are any of us the same self we were in our twenties?
That’s the beauty of living life: we can change elements of who we are as well as adopt a new persona outwardly.
I’ll continue in this blog entry to talk about setting goals at mid-life to become happier and healthier.
My new favorite role model is an ordinary mental health peer who ran in and completed the New York City Marathon this month.
Even people in wheelchairs compete in the marathon and cross the finish line.
This gives me incredible hope.
I’m 53. My goal is to run on the treadmill.
To this end I was tested on a treadmill at a Jack Rabbit running shoes store.
I have a neutral foot stance so I bought a pair of blue Brooks shoes with light blue trim.
Though I don’t want to start taking an antidepressant you should not hesitate to pop a pill if you need to do that to feel better.
I will start to report again in the Flourish blog on fitness topics.
In here I want to uplift and inspire you that it’s not ever too late to take up a new hobby or sport at mid-life.
Exercise is rightfully an adjunct mental health treatment.
Why wait? The future is now.
Set a goal. Find a support buddy to help you achieve the goal. Be a support buddy to your goal mate.
You might think: “I’m too old to…”
Nonsense. I went to graduate school with a woman who was in her seventies. No kidding.
I didn’t start lifting weights until I was 46. Before then I hadn’t lifted one 5 pound weight.
So Just Do It:
Take up running, go back to school, remodel your bathroom, find the love of your life.
Do whatever would make you happy.
Left of the Dial 