Tips on How to Age Adventurously
What does it mean to #AgeAdventurously? Well, it means something a little different to everyone. The important thing is to let your natural curiosity guide you! If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some tips for how to defy age stereotypes, challenge yourself and take your love of learning to new heights.
Make New Friends
They say we never forget the friendships from our youth, but who says the friends we make in our golden years aren’t just as important? Fresh faces can add a different perspective and help us discover new things about ourselves. Making friends in retirement can feel like a challenge, but it is totally doable if you’re looking in the right places! Volunteer for your local soup kitchen, join a book club or enroll in a Lifelong Learning Institute near you. Let your passions lead the way and the right people will follow.
Do you love learning and travel? Learn how you can make friends as a solo traveler with Road Scholar.
Try a New Hobby
Aging adventurously means turning your “what ifs” into what is now your reality! If you ever stop and think to yourself, “I really wish I had pursued singing when I was younger,” take a choir class! If you’d like to learn more about cameras so you can snap that perfect shot of your grandkids, join a local photography group. Learn how to sink a hole-in-one in golf, paint along in a watercolor class or try birding with other wildlife and nature enthusiasts. There’s a hobby out there waiting for you, whatever your interests may be.
In need of a little inspiration? Check out our top hobbies for retirement.
Learn a New Skill or Craft
There’s no satisfaction like creating something with your own hands. To will it into existence with nothing but your own imagination (and maybe some advice from an instructor or friend) to guide you. Learning a new craft in retirement can be very rewarding, and it allows you to connect with others hoping to pursue the same skill. Whether you’re sculpting a clay pot, carving a miniature bird out of wood or perfecting the art of making stained glass, you’ll be proud to create something unique you can call your own.
Get Active!
We all know that exercise is extremely beneficial to the mind, body and soul, but the real magic happens when your feet hit the trails and you take your first deep breath of fresh air. Exploring the outdoors is a great way to stay active and get your heart pumping with an abundance of activities that never get boring. Walk, hike, bike and kayak – whatever you choose, the most important thing is to get out there, stretch those muscles and have fun while doing it!
Get active on a Road Scholar outdoor adventure.
Learn a New Language
Studies have shown that learning a new language helps improve cognitive function, including a better memory and increased attention span. Plus, it’s a fun way to impress friends and family at dinner parties! If you’ve always wanted to learn Spanish or French but lacked the time, now is your chance. Enroll in a course at your local community college, or download a free app like Duolingo and get to studying! No matter your age, there’s nothing more adventurous than opening yourself up to a new culture and way of communicating about the world.
Immerse yourself in the language and culture of a different country on an extended educational adventure overseas.
Explore a New Destination
The world is a fascinating place just waiting to be explored. Is there a destination on your list that you’ve been dreaming about? Step outside your comfort zone and search for a way to make that dream a reality. Have you always wanted to stroll the Spanish moss-lined streets of Savannah or learn about the history of Ancient Greece along the Aegean Sea? Aging adventurously can mean doing that, and more. Whether you fly halfway around the world or simply drive a few towns over, there’s nothing like the thrill of experiencing the local character of a place for the first time.
We’re always adding new destinations to our growing catalog of experiential learning adventures! Browse our latest itineraries.