How to Stay Motivated After 60: 8 Best Tips

(Last Updated On: October 30, 2023)

There’s a lot of advice on how to stay motivated after 60 and the key is finding what works for you. Remember that being busy and being motivated are not necessarily the same thing.

We’ve lived a number of years, middle-age is quite familiar to us, and we’ve been through some stuff in our lives. Health issues may have cropped up, our body just doesn’t perform the way it did in the past, and there may have been some significant relationship changes in our lives.

Busy is a list of things that need to be accomplished in a day. Motivation is a mindset that affects all of our activities, decisions, and goals.

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So, it’s just the right time for us to talk about something that’s close to all our hearts. As we gracefully navigate the years beyond 60, we’re on the lookout for that great way to keep our spirits high and our motivation even higher.

We know that maintaining good health is one of the most important things, but let’s be real, sometimes that pesky lack of motivation can sneak up on us. One day we’re all geared up to start a new habit, and the next day we’re wondering where all that enthusiasm went. Sound familiar?

Well, fear not, because we’re here to discuss some incredibly effective ways to keep that motivation going. Remember, life after 60 is full of fresh starts, and it’s never too late to find your spark. 

A healthy life and a positive life are always going to be the goal, my friend.

That said, there are some healthy tips and ideals worth following no matter who you are and what your age is, so that living life is still exciting and rewarding.

How does motivation change as you get older?

Isn’t it fascinating how our motivation changes as we age? 

Generally speaking, motivation decreases as you get older. Our body starts to slow down naturally, we may have health concerns, and our cognitive skills start to decline. I know – it sounds rather depressing, but we don’t have to sit back and give up.

The good news is that we can take steps to counteract these natural tendencies. There are things you can do to stay active, motivated, and achieve your goals, no matter how old you are.

Remember the days when physical activity was just about trying to lose weight or fit into that little black dress? But now, as we’ve journeyed into our 60s, we’ve realized that it’s more about feeling good, staying healthy, and having that zest for life. Learning a new skill or sticking to a workout routine might seem like hard work initially, but oh boy, does it pay off in the long run!

Now, let’s not pretend that everything is always sunshine and rainbows. There can be days when we don’t feel like cooking those healthy meals or getting up for that morning walk. Yes, ‘old age’ can sometimes have a negative effect on our motivation. But here’s the flip side – it’s also a time when we can truly start to focus on ourselves.

Incorporating exercise and nutritious food into our daily routine can seem daunting, but the main thing to remember is that it’s all about balance. And guess what? Anytime is a good time to start making these changes.

As we mature, we understand better than anyone that motivation isn’t just about achieving big things. It’s also about finding joy in the small things in our personal life. 

Why is it important to stay motivated later in life?

Well, you may have more time available now that your children are grown. You can use this time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do, such as travel or start a new hobby.

You may be looking for a new purpose in life. This is a crucial time in your life, my friend, and it’s important to find something that makes you happy.

And, you may be facing new challenges as you get older, including health and/or family stresses that were not a part of your younger life. This can be tough, but it’s important to stay strong and keep going.

So, how can you stay motivated after 60? Here are 8 common-sense ways to do just that, including a few that you might not have thought of.

How to Stay Motivated After 60

1. Find Your Purpose

Finding your purpose in life is important as a woman over 60 because it can give you a new direction in life. After your children have grown up and left home as well as retirement, you may find yourself looking for a new purpose. Having a purpose gives you something to work towards and helps keep you motivated.

There are many different ways to find a purpose in life. You might connect with family and friends, volunteer and do some charity work, or take up new hobbies. It may mean that you decide to become more involved in your chosen place of worship.

And, if you’re feeling motivated to find that purpose through work, that’s perfectly okay, too. Perhaps there’s a new career you’ve been eyeing for a while and it’s time to take the plunge. You’re never too old if it is a passion that you want to pursue!

I started my online business at the age of 62 and am still expanding and going strong.

The important thing is to find something that makes you happy and gives your life meaning.

2. Love What You’re Doing

This is an important point because it can help give your day purpose and keep you motivated. Participating in activities you enjoy can also help you meet new people, make friends, and connect with your community.

It can also help you stay active and healthy, both physically and mentally.

Some good examples of activities you might enjoy include:

• Gardening
• Painting/drawing
• Playing cards or board games
• Going for walks
• Cooking

There are so many more activities that you can choose, so it’s important to find something that interests you. This will make it easier to stick with it and keep you motivated.

One way to participate in activities you enjoy is to travel. Seeing new places and meeting new people can be exciting and rewarding. Another way to participate in activities you enjoy is to take up a hobby.

Whether it’s painting, gardening, or cooking, hobbies can help you learn new things and have fun. Finally, another way to participate in activities you enjoy is to learn new things.

Lifelong learning can keep your mind active and engaged, and it can be a lot of fun too.

3. Set Plans and Goals

Goal setting is an important way to stay motivated after 60. When you have goals, you have something to work towards and this can help keep you focused, productive, and motivated. It’s also important to make a plan to achieve your goals.

This means breaking down your goal into smaller steps and then creating a timeline for completing them. This can help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

Some people think that goal setting is only applicable if you’re still in the working world, but that’s just not true. Everyone, regardless of their age, can benefit from setting goals and making a plan to achieve them.

That little to-do list can come in very handy at this point, my friend. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t write it down it’s not gonna happen. So use whatever means you have to, in order to set and track your goals, from the small tasks to the life-changers.

For example, one goal you might set could be to read one book every month. This is a specific, achievable, and relevant goal. You can measure your progress by counting the number of books you read each month and make sure your goal is relevant to your interests.

Even if it is the very simple act of creating a daily to-do list, this is a motivator to get things done no matter how simple they may be.

4. Positivity Matters

A positive attitude is a key to staying motivated after 60. When you have a positive attitude, you see the good in every situation and you’re grateful for what you have. This can be a challenge at times, but it’s worth it because it leads to a happier life.

Here’s a quick exercise you can do each day to help keep your positive attitude: think of three things you’re grateful for.

It can be something as simple as your bed to sleep in, the sun shining down on you, or your pet dog wagging his tail when he sees you. Whatever it is, make sure you take the time to appreciate it.

Staying positive on the inside, in your mind and heart, will ultimately be reflected on the outside. That mindset will direct your hands, feet, and voice.

5. Guard Your Health

One of the best ways to stay motivated after 60 is to stay healthy. Eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all important aspects of our daily life for staying healthy and feeling good.

When you’re healthy, it’s easier to stay motivated because you feel good both physically and mentally. Plus, taking care of yourself will help you live a longer, healthier life.

So, how do you go about creating these healthy habits if you’re not used to eating properly, for example? It can be a bit of a challenge at first, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Start by making small changes to your diet and gradually increasing the healthy foods while eliminating those that you know aren’t helping you stay healthy.

You can approach the amount of exercise you do each week in the same way. Start slowly if you haven’t been exercising. Add in a few short walks or a simple exercise routine each day and gradually increase the length and intensity of your walks, for example.

As for sleep, aim to get at least 7-8 hours each night. That can get tougher as we age, so here are a few tips:

• make your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet;
• avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime;
• and practice some relaxation techniques before bed.

6. Foster Your Emotional Health

Another important way to stay motivated after 60 is to take care of yourself emotionally. This means being positive and not comparing yourself to others. It can be tough at times, but it’s worth it because when you’re happy and content with yourself, everything else becomes more manageable and clear.

One way to stay positive is to have a good support system. This could be friends, family, church, or a support group of people who are going through the same thing as you. When you have people to rely on it helps you stay positive and motivated.

It’s easier to think about taking care of ourselves by eating right or exercising, and sometimes we forget about our mind and our heart. But, they are just as essential to staying motivated in a healthy way as we age.

How can we take care of our emotional health? One way is to practice self-compassion. This means being compassionate and understanding towards yourself, even when you make a mistake.

You can also practice mindfulness, which is being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings.

One of the ways I stay healthy emotionally is to make sure that my focus is on today. Not yesterday. Not what happened a week ago, or a year ago, or (good heavens!) 10 years ago. It’s easier said than done, but by making sure that I learn from the past and then let it go helps tremendously.

Those negative thoughts are never going to help, no matter your age.

7. Limit the Social Media

Time spent on social media can be a two-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a wonderful way to stay connected with family and friends, as the events of the last couple of years have shown us.

But, going down that rabbit hole of post after post, multitudinous videos, volumes of recipes… before you know it you’ve spent a couple of hours doing, well, nothing really.

Here’s the thing. If that’s enough for you, cool. I wish you well, my friend. But if you truly strive to be more motivated in your 60s and beyond, put that thing down and get up and do something for yourself or for others. (Refer to all of the suggestions above for particulars!)

Give yourself a specific time limit and stick with it. Then get up and redirect your energy to another activity.

8. Don’t Give Up!

It can be tough to keep going when we face setbacks, but it’s important not to give up. When we persevere through the tough times, we’re able to achieve our goals and feel proud of ourselves.

As women over the age of 60, it’s especially important not to give up. We’ve gone through a lot in life, and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. We know what’s important to us, and we’re not afraid to go after what we want.

We also know that there are no guarantees in life, so we don’t get discouraged easily. When we face setbacks, we pick ourselves up and try again. We know that success is attainable as long as we keep trying.

As women in midlife we also know that the absence of motivators can lead to a feeling of “who cares?” or “there’s no more for me to do”.

So, how can you stay motivated when things get tough, or when they seem like there’s nothing left to do or learn?

It’s important to celebrate small victories. When you accomplish something, even if it’s small, take a moment to appreciate it. Reflect on what you did and how you feel after completing the task. Bask in it, no matter how small the victory.

• Did you walk for 5 minutes today? Yay!
• Did you pick up the phone and call a friend you’ve been thinking about? Great!
• Were you able to eat healthy food for an entire day? Awesome!

This will help you stay motivated and positive, so make sure to give yourself that positive affirmation when it’s earned.

Conclusion

When it comes to staying motivated after 60, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t come naturally for most people. No one else is going to do it for us, either. It is our individual responsibility to take charge of our life.

By taking care of ourselves both physically and emotionally, we can make the journey a little bit easier.

We have the strength and determination to achieve anything we set our minds to, so let’s go out and do amazing things!

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