I expected to face new challenges in my 90s, and I have. However, what has truly surprised me is the number of new joys I’m experiencing.
Like most of people my age, I believe that dwelling on regrets are a waste of time. I no longer regret that I took so few science and economics courses or that I never lived abroad. I’m truly grateful for my family and the life I have lived. This sense of gratitude is relatively new for me.
So when people ask me what they can do to make sure their older years are just as fulfilling, I share my 10 non-negotiable rules for being 90 and happy. This list has been a valuable roadmap for me, and I believe that no matter how old you are, you will find them helpful, too.
I’ve found that older people tend to be kinder than they were when they were younger. Cultivating a habit of kindness brings meaning to our lives.
Research shows that receiving even a small act of kindness has a much greater impact on us than the giver might expect. But I’ve also noticed that we are often less kind to ourselves than we are to others. We tend to berate ourselves mercilessly when we can’t find the right word or when we forget an appointment.
