Comments on: At What Age is it Hardest to Radically Change Your Life?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:08:32 +0000

It isn’t easier after 60. I remember seeing a documentary about how they catch monkeys. They chain a coconut to the ground with a hole in it and put some rice in it. At first they use a big hole. Later they switch to a small one. The monkey grabs the rice but will not let go. They then net the monkey.

As you get older, it is hard to let go: your house, your retirement savings, your job. It is not easy to get another job at that age and start over. You are trapped.

The point is: plant your apple trees when you are young. You will never get to harvest the apples if you wait late into life.

I hope the youth follows thier dreams while they can. The best time to plant an apple tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:22:50 +0000

When I was 22 I had a really clear sense of what kind of life I wanted to lead. Then I spent the next…oh, well too many years desperately trying to live my version of the American dream as sold to me by corporate America all the while trying to please my parents and impress my friends. So, after various corporate careers and years spent feathering the nest I see what a mess I’ve made.

I finally sat my rear down and started asking myself the really hard questions and realized that my 22 year old self was onto something. I’m ready to rip the band-aid off and just go for it but I have two amazing teens and a pretty awesome husband that I live with and WANT to consider.

I think that spouses and children and mortgages and years of accumulating crap that I didn’t need in the first place can definitely slow us down in making significant life changes. I also believe that regardless of our circumstances it can be done.

I’m in the over 40 set and see this as really my last chance to have the amazing life of adventure I dreamed of at 22. So without rocking the boat too much, I have my yard sales and haul the rest of the junk of to Goodwill. I’ve slashed our budget, am paying off debt, and saving when I can. I read and research and write as I try to figure out an authentic way to generate the income I will need. I’m questioning, REALLY questioning and trying to be very mindful about everything I say and do and buy and about how I spend my time. I share my ideas, my hopes, and dreams with my family to generate their enthusiasm and support.

All this being said, I had an excuse at every age. In my 20s, my excuse was that I needed to establish my career and allow my husband to establish his and finish school. In my 30s, my excuse was that it was all about the kids. Everything was for them. In my 40s, there’s just no time for any more excuses.

Corbett, I love your site and really appreciate your sharing your experiences. It’s helping me sharpen my focus and giving me so many ideas. The community you’ve cultivated is inspiring as well and I learn so much from the comment they make.

Thanks

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:54:33 +0000

I’ve thought about lifestyle design a lot recently, and I have a wife and two teenage children, so it’s not going to be easy. But in my opinion, ideally, you need three things, support, determination and confidence. I suspect those couples with children living the nomad life both agree with each other, so there is support. What about when you’re partner thinks you are mad! This is where you need lots of confidence. When you don’t have support you need lots of determination. I know I don’t have the support of my partner and I’ll be changing my life whether she agrees or not. Selfish? Maybe. But what’s the point of dying with your song still inside you? But what’s clear to me is I will need stacks of confidence and determination.

By: Free Pursuits « Dream Job Dragon

Free Pursuits « Dream Job Dragon — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:36:19 +0000

[...] 3. At What Age is it Hardest to Radically Change Your Life? [...]

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:42:04 +0000

I think that change of any kind is quite stressful, even if you CHOOSE to make it…The MOST stressful kind though, is when you do not make the choice yourself…i.e. not only do you lose that “safe job”, but you suddenly find it difficult to obtain work in that “safe” career…I could scream every time I hear or read about how the “safe” professionals in Healthcare are.. …It is SATURATED with new GRADS that are being hired so that hospitals do not have to pay as much as one would pay me (30 years experience…)…Also, institutions are not hiring full-time, but only PRN…So much of me wants to change my career, but I am (gulp..cough…clears her throat…) 57…(Of course you’d never guess….)
First of all, I am ready to never work again, and travel the world…As this is impossible, as we speak, I am getting a bit of work here and there, but it is so tempting to want to throw it all in and make a complete change in career, though that would take forever (at least a good 4 years), and how old would I be then? (Not willing to count at this time…will think about it tomorrow…)…When does it all end? Does one ever actually get to utilize the word, “Retirement?”…Honestly, in the end, I just don’t see being able to live on so much less, so as I usually tell people, I will probably die on the job!!!