Do you keep putting off saving for retirement? Are you continuing to self-medicate with food? Doubting you have what it takes to start a new career? Still trying to find yourself? It’s not too late to start, stop or make changes in your life.
Stop Waiting, Start Doing
- It’s not too early to start saving for retirement in your 20’s.
- Your 30’s are not too late to change careers.
- In your 40’s it’s not too early to retire.
- The 50’s are not too late to go back to school.
- Your 60’s are not too late to improve your health or learn to cook.
- And in your 70’s it’s not too late to forgive, forget, and love again (in fact, you might do a whole lot of forgetting.)
Start Moving, Stop Eating Junk, & Change Your Body
You won’t be physically healthy without exercise and proper nutrition. Nope, not going to happen if you continuously eat pizza, hamburgers, desserts, and processed foods. Won’t happen if you sit all day at work, fall on the couch at home, or think fitness is achieved by just carrying groceries and picking up toys.
Tired of being tired? Over trying the latest detox or quick-weight-loss scheme? Know that hot fudge brownie sundae is not going to help you feel better tomorrow? Do something about it.
Start today, so you don’t end up having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a heart attack, diabetes or worse. If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of any of these issues you can still stop worsening the damage and often reverse the harm already done. Find a physical activity you enjoy, improve your everyday diet, and you’ll discover the energy, body, and health you desire.
I achieved my ideal weight in my late 40’s and I no longer diet or feel bad physically or mentally for my food decisions. My first outdoor rock climbing adventure was at the age of 41.
My husband and I were 46 and 44 when we did our 1/2 marathon race, and we’ll participate in our first Spartan Sprint obstacle race 3 months after he turns 51 and 2 months before my 50th birthday. It wasn’t until my mom reached her 60’s that she started golfing and she just recently joined two hiking groups at almost 70.
To enjoy a long healthy life start today, it’s never too late. What obstacle can I help you get over?
Related:
Get Active to Increase Your Energy, Feel & Look Awesome
Eat Real Food – Get Better Results and Improve Your Health
Stop Spending, Start Saving, & Keep Your Change
No matter where you are in life, today is the best day to start saving. Saving for retirement, saving for a home or car, or saving for an education or travel. Invest in your future today for it will be here sooner than you imagine.
Today is also the best day to stop spending money on unnecessary expenses. Now, what’s not necessary for me might not be what’s on your list, I get that. However, I’m sure if you took a few minutes you could think of a handful or two of things you spend money on that are not necessary for your survival.
While I always contributed something to a 401k through my employers, it was just a small amount until a few years ago. I also did not have an IRA nor was I very serious about investing. Today I max out my 401k, my Roth IRA, and I’m investing in the market, and so does my husband. We also stopped spending our money on things that added no real value to our lives. Now we are on a path to reach financial independence in our early to mid-50’s.
Ask yourself what’s stopping you from saving today? Or why are you continuing to spend frivolously?
Resources:
A Directory of Personal Finance Blogs (and Resources) – Over 1000! – RockstarFinance.com
GoodCall Expert Panel: How to Start Saving for Retirement Now – Goodcall.com
Change Your Focus, Start Learning, & Stop Doubting
Always wanted to be an entrepreneur, graphic artist, teacher or coach? Research your options, enroll in a program, take a class, or start a side hustle. Explore the new endeavor completely before leaving your current situation.
Preparation is good, but you need to take action and do. Once you’ve accumulated some knowledge, created a plan, worked out a few details, and prepared yourself financially, stop doubting yourself and go for it. Focus on your goal and engage yourself fully in it.
I started my first business in my 20’s and my second in my 30’s. My college degree was earned just after I turned 45 and I started blogging at 48. I continue to learn, face fears, and focus forward. You can too.
What do you need to learn or what fears do you need to work through to make changes in your life?
Other:
How To Change Career When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing – CareerShifters.org
The Choice is Yours – Allow Your Personal Values to Guide Your Decision
Start Repairing, Stop Regretting, & Change Lives
Chances are you’ve seen this list before, The 5 Things People Regret Most On Their Deathbed by Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care.
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- I wish that I had let myself be happier.
But have you done anything about these things in your life or attended to your own list to prevent regret?
Still feeling sad, angry, disappointed, or guilty, over something from the past? The past is a memory, and you can change the story.
To help you move on from it, try asking yourself what you can learn from the experience and what could have been worse. Defining the difference between what happened and what you wanted to happen, can help you create a plan for next time. Realizing that the worst didn’t happen can help you find some gratitude.
All of us are doing the best we can do. At times we experience misunderstandings or differences of opinions with others. Don’t let a rift create a wedge in a relationship that widens with time. Perhaps that means picking up the phone or arranging a face-to-face to create a conversation, hear each other out and learn to embrace your differences.
Health is priceless, money isn’t evil, and we all need love.
Who’s Sorry Now? 6 Steps to Regret-Proof Your Life – Martha Beck on Oprah.com
Start, Stop Or Make Changes In Your Life Today
It’s never too late. Start a garden. Learn to cook. Move your body. Change your direction. Build muscle. Stop analysis paralysis. Stop self-criticism. Make new friends. Start a blog or business. Learn to make gazpacho. In other words; Change your mindset! Stop waiting! Start doing! Change your life!
Related: Get Over Yourself, Stop Procrastinating And Get Things Done
Do you still think it’s too late- or too early to start? What’s holding you back? How can I help? Anything to add to the conversation? Please share in the comments.
Never miss a post, the latest happenings around here, new healthy recipes or resources ~ Join us below!
Mrs Groovy says
Wonderful post! I’m trying to think how the saying goes. Something like this:
“I can’t go back to school Amy! I’m 46 years old. It will take me 4 years to finish which means I’ll be FIFTY when I graduate”.
Amy: “And if you don’t go back to school how old will you be in 4 years?”
Time marches on whether or not we pursue happiness.
Amy says
Thank you Mrs. G! Yes, exactly. I remember the first time I saw a saying like that, it really made me think. And move myself in the forward direction getting stuff done!
Matt @ Optimize Your Life says
Thanks for the inspirational kick in the pants, Amy. A great way to start the week!
I am big on making sure that I am constantly learning. I am less great at taking action based on that new knowledge.This is a great reminder to just get out there and do it!
Amy says
Glad I could help Matt!
Yes, we need to just do. Whether we succeed or fail, we gain more knowledge, skills, and experience and get to know ourselves a little bit better. And that helps us live life to the fullest. Have a great week Matt.
makingyourmoneymatter says
I absolutely love this. Even in my early 30’s, I find myself thinking that it’s too late to change some things but that just isn’t the case. It’s truly never too late to improve yourself.
Somewhat recently, I read an article about how most people don’t succeed with making health changes in their lives because their goal isn’t clear enough. It’s not enough to simply want to lost 20 pounds or to “be skinny”, instead it needs to be something like being able to pick up your grandchildren in the future, or be able to retire with an active lifestyle. I definitely look at living a healthy life differently now and it’s never too late to start!
Amy says
Thank you Kathryn! Exactly, it is never too late for growth and improvement. Defining why you really want something helps you keep your eye on the target when you’ve had a rough day for sure.
Erik @ The Mastermind Within says
Hey Amy, great post. I love how well thought out and comprehensive they are.
It’s never too early or too late to start. There is a Chinese proverb that goes something like, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but today is the second best time to plant a tree. In other words, if you haven’t started on a goal yet, today is the perfect day to get after it!
Thanks for sharing.
P.S. We will be in touch about the tea 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Erik! Gotta love the Chinese proverbs. 🙂
Ruth says
Food habits are so tough to change! I’m becoming more and more convinced of my own food addictions – particularly to sugar. I’m not overweight, but I’d like to get the better of this. Any suggestions?
Amy says
Hi Ruth, yes sugar addictions can be tough but totally possible to get over. Some suggestions – one of the biggest things is giving up processed foods and adding sugar to foods and drinks. When you have a bit of a craving for something sweet, first make sure you are really hungry and not just bored or thirsty. Try drinking some water or a drink with some stevia in it – iced tea, lemonade, fruit water, etc. If it is hungry look to naturally sweet foods, such as fruits, carrots, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, etc. and be sure and eat them with some protein and fat. For example, have an apple with some almond butter, a handful of walnuts and some grapes, carrot sticks and hummus, hard-boiled egg with avocado slices and veggies. Do some meal planning and have healthy snacks always available. If you have not yet, check out these articles for some more information:
Eat Real Food – Get Better Results and Improve Your Health
Healthy Body Fuel for On the Go
Mr. Groovy says
Wow, Amy. What a great post. As I was reading it, I kept saying “Yes!” This should be required reading for anyone besieged by the blahs. The world belongs to the doers. To the sitters, not so much.
Amy says
Thank you Mr. G, that means a great deal to me coming from you! Agreed, be a doer, not a sitter.
MustardSeedMoney says
Awesome post!!! I totally agree it’s never too late to make a change and pursue your passions. It’s definitely something that I am constantly doing and reinventing myself to become the best me that I can. Taking chances is what makes life fun and more importantly that’s how we grow as people 🙂
Amy says
Thanks MSM! It’s so great to see you and others moving forward and doing, making life a fun adventure. Keep doing!
TheRetirementManifesto says
Great post, Amy. And how appropriate that I read it right after completing a 30 minute swim for lunch (that on top of a 1 hour bike ride last night)! It’s never too late!! Thanks for your inspriation!
Amy says
Thanks Fritz! You are just awesome!
Michael @ Financially Alert says
I love this, Amy! Fantastic reminder that it’s never too late for anything in life. For me, I’m working on getting more healthy with my diet these next few years. 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Michael! Yes, do it now so you can enjoy more years of your life.
Caryn says
This is extremely motivating and inspiring — especially as I consider a career move and I’m almost 40 and keep thinking it’s “too late” (or that other people will think that). Thank you for sharing Amy!
Amy says
Hi, Caryn, I’m glad you found this helpful. Yes, it’s difficult to not worry about other people, but it’s so important to be true to yourself. You may be presently surprised who will rally around you too. Best wishes!
Andrea Decker says
I enjoyed this article. I think the part that people forget is to – Just Start. Just start, saving, exercise, having some fun, starting a blog, all it takes is the actual step forward. I believe that sometimes people get so caught up in the planning, they plan themselves to the point of not doing! Thanks for the inspiration!
Amy says
I agree Andrea, analysis paralysis can be quite crippling. Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.
Elementum Money says
This is such a lovely post. Enough times we make all kinds of excuses to ourselves instead of starting something which is uncomfortable initially but good in the long term – be it savings or fitness or even a passion.
Sometimes we need some one to tell us to start now and Just Do it. This one served as the perfect Just Do It post.
Amy says
Thank you. Yes, sometimes I need to come back and reread it myself. We can get too short-sighted in the hustle and bustle of every day life. Here’s to doing it more.