Bidding farewell to the familiar and embracing change is always difficult to some degree, especially later in life once we’ve settled further into our habits and routines. But our golden years often leave us no choice but to adapt, even if we’d rather stay the course. Maybe we have to come to terms with retiring after 50 years, or cope with losing a loved one we’ve known since childhood — either way, when such events happen, the best thing we can do is face them head-on.
Knowing that change is inevitable, we’re left with two choices. We can fear it, deny it, and run from it, or we can open our minds to it and grow. If we choose the latter, we may find ourselves surprised at just how much that mindset can enrich our lives. After all, age is just a number, and whether we’re 8 or 80, we can always learn new skills.
And of course, change doesn’t necessarily have to be the result of a traumatic event. It can also mean picking up that hobby we’ve always thought about trying or selling our home and living in an RV like we’ve always dreamed about. It boils down to being willing to take that first step and walk forward into the unknown with an optimistic outlook.
Here are 12 quotes about making big changes later in life that may inspire you to forget about your age and seize those unfamiliar opportunities, no matter how imposing they may seem.
As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.Margaret Deland
You can’t go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending.James R. Sherman
It is never too late or too soon. It is when it is supposed to be.Mitch Albom
Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.Betty Friedan
You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind.Timothy Leary
You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.Stephen King
Never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.Albert Einstein
It’s never too late to start. It’s always too late to wait.Jeff Olson
Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind.Leonardo da Vinci
If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.Martin Luther King Jr.
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.Les Brown
There’s no such thing as aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful.Celine Dion
Featured image credit: Leemage/ Corbis Entertainment via Getty Images
