5 Ways to Reinvent Yourself at Age 51 (or Any Age)

In the interests of full disclosure, I turned 51 in January of this year. As I’ve written elsewhere, I experienced a big emotional change in my life that’s prompting me to reexamine my outlook. Lately I’m thinking often about reinvention. Here’s some ways to do it that make sense to me:

1. Express yourself.

Starting a blog is a good way to do this. Write about your own outlook on life. Write from the perspective of the person you wish you were. Share your own unique wisdom and perspective.
If you aren’t confident about your writing abilities, try posting photos are meaningful to you. Draw pictures and scan them. Sing songs and record them and post them.

2. Renew a relationship.

We’re defined to a large extent by our relationships. Improve them, and you’ll improve yourself. Get closer to a parent, reconnect with the brother you haven’t seen in years, call up the sister you always fought with.

3. Get serious about a hobby.

Invest the time, money and effort in something you really love, and get better at it.

4. Define yourself as something other than your job.

We spend so much time at work, we often see ourselves chiefly through that lens. If you’re fortunate enough to be employed, that’s wonderful, but don’t let it sap your soul. How do you do that? See #3 above for a suggestion.

5. Do something new for your physical, mental and spiritual health.

Join a gym, see a psychologist, take up meditation, deepen your prayer life. Concern yourself with the plight of the poor, the needy, the friendless, the outcast. Change your eating habits–eat one new thing a week that you’ve never eaten before.

I’d love to hear from you. Let me know how you’re reinventing yourself, no matter what your age.

Donna