This post is made possible with support from AARP’s Disrupt Aging. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own.
I was so happy when AARP asked me to participate in their Disrupt Aging campaign because it’s a subject I’m passionate about and something I talk to women about all the time.
A big myth about aging is that you slow down as you get older. But I’m turning 60 in January and have traveled to more places over the past few years than I did in the five decades before.
I didn’t become a travel writer until my mid-fifties, which I think was actually the perfect time to do something like this. The kids were already grown and out on their own, so there was no guilt about leaving them. My husband had retired and had plenty of his own interests. Sometimes he comes on trips with me, which is great, and sometimes I go alone, which is also great.
Through my after-50 travels, I’ve gotten to meet and become friends with amazing people all over the world. I spent quality time in Denmark with one of my favorite authors, Sara Blaedel, who showed me the real meaning of hygge. I visited the homes of top designers in Ireland. I went to Australia with Oprah.
I’ve gone snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and dog sledding in the sub-Arctic, I rode through Joshua Tree National Park on the back of a motorcycle, walked across lava fields in Iceland and was kissed by an elephant in Botswana.
I cried at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Central High School in Little Rock, and volunteered at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
I have grown with every experience.
I share all this with you simply to show you that anything is possible and to encourage you to go out and do those things, too – or whatever things you’ve dreamed about.
Besides introducing you to new people, experiences and cultures, travel teaches you so many important lessons, like patience, perspective and the ability to roll with the punches. It empowers you in a way nothing else can, and gives you back the self-confidence that may have faded over time.
A couple of months ago, I went to Germany on my own. It was a trip that was completely out of my comfort zone and which I seriously considered cancelling because I was so stressed about it.
Of course, it turned out to be fantastic and was an excellent reminder that I’m more capable than I sometimes give myself credit for. I got on the right trains (although, yes, I almost missed one), I figured out conversion rates, I managed the language barrier.
All of these challenges are actually easier in midlife because I no longer have a problem asking for help. It’s very liberating not to care what others think, and if I need something, I ask for it, no matter how foolish I may sound.
Travel in midlife is also great because there are so many discounts available with your AARP card! (Note: they did not ask me to mention that but it is a fact, and it may open up more possibilities for you.)
My life has been deeply enriched by my travels, and I never could have imagined taking all these trips in my fifties. What I’ve learned is that it’s never too late. In fact, more companies are starting to cater to older travelers because they realize the financial power of the baby boomers.
On a recent Viking Ocean Cruise, for example, my husband and I marveled – as we always do – at the guests ten or twenty years older than us, still traveling the world, attending the lectures and eager to continue learning. I’m convinced this attitude is helping to keep them young.
Our friend showed us a video of the company’s first world cruise, pointing out that there were guests on that 141-day journey who were 96 and 98 years old. Talk about travel goals.
So where do you want to go? What’s holding you back?
Every time I check a place off my bucket list now, I add a new one. I’m determined to keep traveling, to explore the big, beautiful world and to live by the philosophy that aging is a trip.
Need more inspiration? Check out AARP’s Disrupt Aging, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
This is wonderful! Someone told me that movement is life, and idleness is death…if you focus on keeping active I believe you will always have life in you no matter your age…it’s when you stop doing things that bring you closer to the other. Inspiring post!
Love. It! So inspiring and it’s clearly working as you look fabulous! i actually love travelling on my own because it forces me to meet people. Keep it up 🙂
I just joined AARP so I will be checking into Disrupt Aging. I also will be 60 in January. Life just gets better!
I love this so much! Even though I’m only in my 30s now, I firmly believe that you don’t have to slow down as you get older—as you illustrate perfectly! Also, I’m super impressed that you took an international trip on your own. I have never done that, but it seems like a great way to prove to yourself just how capable you really are. Go you!
You are an inspiration and a true example of living fabulously at any age. Your energy and sense of fun rival those of women half your age! Can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
This is awesome, Lois! I hope to fit lots more travel in as the years play out! I’m a fellow #DisruptAging partner!
So inspiring. Love following your journeys.
I know that my grandmother hated the day she couldn’t get out and go. I think staying active is the key to long health.
I love this! My grandparents are in their 70s and still travel all the time, too. They don’t leave the country much anymore but still go often.
I’m totally with you, Lois. I absolutely love to travel. It is my number one passion in life. It has made me the person I am today. One who is open minded and empathetic, and I like that.
Love this! Definitely good to keep moving!! 😉 Keep it up!
Nice travel photos of you! I’m pretty sure that you enjoy your travels at any ages, and age doesn’t matter for travel. live life to the fullest!
I do love to travel on my own! Your photos are so nice!
Great post and so inspiring… I think you can enjoy travelling whatever age you are! Keep on doing whatever you want to do is my philosophy.
That is inspiring! There is no limitation for people like you! Hopefully you can keep having great experiences like this in the future! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh your post made me so happy! I encourage my parents to travel as well – they’re 60, and they have started to do it now, although they sometimes can’t keep up with the pace but then it’s fine, I tell them to take it easy. I am so impressed that you went diving in the Great Barrier Reef, that you started to write only in your 50s, that you travel alone sometimes, when your husband cannot make it. And to hear of people in their 90s in a 114-day cruise, wow! I am going to have to share this really inspirational piece with my parents. Age is just a number – i tell them, and you’re the living proof of it!
You are never too old to try something new. You look fun on your adventures. Can’t wait for more about your journey around the world.
One thing that we definitely want to do when we get older is travel. I don’t want to miss the opportunity.
So great to see what you already experienced, paces you have seen and stories you have heard. What to say Lois, it is exactly as you say. Traveling knows no age, gender, social status or anything. It is so individual and thats absolutely great. Volunteering at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee sounds absolutely cool, I must say this is something I could also imagine for myself since I love those gentle giants. Cool & inspiring post!
I think traveling is a great way to spend your free time regardless of age!
Aww you are so brave and such an inspiration!! I don’t believe in slowing down as I get older. My life has been getting better with time and I don’t plan on letting it slow down.
You are such an inspiration! Love your positive outlook on life
You GO, Mama! I want to be you when I’m in my 60s. My own mama is 73 and just in the past 18 months, has been both to Mexico and on TWO pilgrimages to the Holy Land – in 2019, she plans to go to Hawaii, once again to the Holy Land, and Italy, and she’s already plotting a special trip to Germany in 2020! You two will be my inspiration 🙂
What a great post and so happy to know that you started this in your mid fifties which is so inspirational. Love the way you have overcome the fears of solo travel that sometimes comes with age. From my personal experiences, it’s in the mind I think. Age is not something that should stop you. You have achieved so much from visiting Anne Frank house to working in the elephant sanctuaries. Great post and keep going!
Love love love this!! So inspiring and motivating!
This is what I love about traveling! It’s liberating for everyone, whatever your age. Once you get hooked, you are hooked on for life. It’s really amazing to see inspiring stories like yours, where age is just a number.
Wow, what a motivational post for all ages. I too believe that age should not interfere in our goals as it is never too late to start anything good. You have done so many good travels at age of 50 sometimes solo and sometimes with your husband. As we age, children leave us due to their priorities and we are alone, therefore Travel is the best way to know the world and keep us occupies. From Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef to walk across lava field in Iceland must be a great travel at this age.
Wonderful article. So inspiring to hear you’re breaking through stereotypes and speeding up rather than slowing down. There’s a lot of stuff you mentioned in this article that I’m still yet to do, so I better get my skates on!
So enjoyed this post as you so reflect our philosophy toward aging. . .and travel for that matter. When in our 60’s we sold our US home and moved to Greece, leaving friends and family tut-tut-tutting, we simply told them we were off to grow olives instead of old! (Keep the inspiration coming!!)
Sounds like you have taken some pretty amazing adventures as you have gotten into your 60s. It’s so great you have been able to keep going and find all these amazing things later on in life.
Though I’m in my 30s I can actually relate to this. When I was in my 20s, I imagined 30s as a very settled down, very home-y period of time. I was scared of 30s and I was pushing myself to do all adventures in 20s. Now, in 30s, I feel younger than I felt in 20s, and looking forward for all the more travels & adventures
I’m with you. Get out there and do it! I’m made a big dent in my bucket list but still have Africa and India to go.
Good on you, I love the fact that you are embracing life and fitting in as much fab travel as you can – enjoy x
Great post ?. Really enjoyed reading through this and inspired. Also love the happy facing.
What an inspiring post! I honestly think I am gaining confidence and broadening my horizons even further as I get older…
My husband and I have always talked about traveling when we get older and viaiting different parts of the world. He’s hoping space cruises are a thing by the time we get older! Don’t slow down unless you have to is what my grandma always says
It is great that you are having the opportunity to travel and see so much of the world! I hope you enjoy ticking places off your bucket list for many years to come!
Traveling makes everyone feel younger. Age is just a number not a status!
I definitely believe that if you youth is not simply a number, but it’s an attitude. Just blet cause we age, does not me we have to slow down.