How I Reignited My Life at Age 60: And How You Can Too
It's time to take that passion you've been thinking about and turning it into reality
Do you have a passion you’ve always wanted to explore? Something that might have gotten lost in the chaoticness of life? Well, it’s not too late, no matter how old you are. Now is the best time to pursue your dreams.
According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, 60% of women over the age of forty feel like they’ve lost touch with their personal goals.
Life happens to all of us—kids, career, caregiving, other responsibilities—and at some point, our dreams and passions might take a back seat, but it’s never too late to reconnect with ourselves and what we want out of life, especially for those of us over sixty or seventy.
So, let’s give ourselves permission to dream again, and to act on those dreams to bring them into reality.
According to the 2023 Journal of Applied Psychology, pursuing personal goals boosts happiness and reduces stress.
When we actively work toward something meaningful, step by step, it lowers stress levels. Think of it like planting a seed. You don’t need to have an entire garden figured out—you start with one seed.
Putting My Dreams on Hold
When I was fifteen, my mother asked me what I wanted to do with my life. When I told her a writer or philosopher, I was told I’d end up washing dishes for the rest of my life, so I was “encouraged” to get a degree in business (which, by the way, I hated).
I was able to eventually steer myself back on track after getting the undergraduate degree in business and marketing, and, happy to say, a minor in philosophy. Once I graduated, I couldn’t figure out what to do—working in a bank or large pharmaceutical company for the rest of my life was out of the question. (Being born in Delaware, those were the two major industries at the time.)
After a lot of searching, I found an Individualized Masters program at Antioch University in London, so I spent three years living in the UK and working on my degree (my thesis was probably the worst book ever written—but I wrote it!)
I got so many rejections from agents and publishers after I wrote a book called Rock Gods of Acht that I stopped trying to get it published. I eventually put the novel up on Amazon and that was that.
I made some half-hearted attempts throughout the years to get another book finished, but I’d lost my confidence and my passion for the written word—until I was fifty-nine years old.
(Watch on YouTube!)
Fast forward to 2021, when someone I knew from my early days in New York City contacted me to say she’d found my book online, read it, and was so inspired that she quit her job to pursue her passion.
With her encouragement and me taking stock in my life—and my impending sixtieth birthday, I eventually made one of the biggest decisions ever. It tied with leaving New York City after thirty years and moving to Santa Fe on my own, where I didn’t know anyone.
I decided to spend my savings on myself and the career I’d always wanted but was too afraid to pursue.
I became a full-time fiction writer in 2022. I re-edited Rock Gods of Acht and renamed it Rock Gods & Messy Monsters, so as I neared my sixtieth birthday, I was finally doing what I wanted to do since I was a teenager.
The book has won several awards, including first runner up in science fiction and fantasy at the 2024 Eric Hoffer Awards, which was a validation I needed.
I won’t lie; it wasn’t easy to make the decision to write full time—I tortured myself for at least six months. I was fortunate to have saved money, but, even so, spending my hard earned pay on myself was incredibly difficult - even though I was at retirement age!
If you’re wondering, no, I’m not making money from my writing—yet! And I still need some type of income, but I made the decision to pursue my dreams because I refuse to be on my deathbed with any regrets.
I believe in the “build it and keep at it, and they will come” philosophy. If I keep going, with both writing and my YouTube channel, something will happen. It’s only a matter of time.
And you know what? I feel like a success already. The money is important, yes, but it’s not what’s driving me. This is my passion and what I was called to do in this life. It all feels right in my soul and my gut.
I asked myself—If I had no restraints and had all the money and time in the world, what would I do? What would make me happy? My answer was Hearth and writing books, so I’m now doing what I’ve always wanted to do.
Suggestions to Start Pursuing Your Passion
Get clear on your "why"
Why does this goal matter to you? Is it about creativity? Freedom? Connection? Is this your passion? Being passionate helps motivate you and keep you going when things get tough. Get a journal and write out what you want and how you feel about it.
Start small
Don’t worry about the big picture. Focus on one small action you can take this week. Maybe it’s signing up for a class, watching YouTube videos, or talking to a friend about your idea.
Try to find others who share your interest.
I started by pulling out Rock Gods of Acht and re-reading it. I also joined a women’s writing group to keep me motivated and working toward my goal.
I’ve heard Tony Robbins call this chunking. I haven’t read Atomic Habits, but that’s the point of the book. Do one small thing at a time—and don’t give up.
Resistance is not futile; resistance is natural
You’ll have periods where you want to give up. It’s part of the process, so learn what you need to do to get through those times.
The last edit on my book, the one that included grammar and style checking, nearly killed me. I felt close to complete burnout, so I sent the book off to an editor and took a break. I kept journaling and writing, but I spent a lot of time going for walks and resting.
To be creative, we need downtime. We need time to look at the clouds, to sip a cup of tea, or stare at the wall. You might think you’re doing nothing, but your brain is regenerating and working on subconscious and unconscious levels.
So rest when you need to—you’ll return to your passion with much more energy. Just don’t use it as an excuse to procrastinate!
Choose your goals
You decide what you want from your new pursuit. Wanting to make ten million dollars is different from wanting to see your name in print. And be okay if you want to make ten million! Be honest with yourself.
Celebrate the wins
Every step forward—no matter how small—is a win. And when you celebrate, you reinforce the positive feelings that motivate you to keep going.
High five yourself and cheer yourself on with every small move you make. If you want to write a book, get the first sentence down—and celebrate that victory. If you’re like me and want to do too much, get a notebook or a steno pad and create a handwritten to do list.
Write out everything you want to do, then pick a few for each week, and do them. If you can’t get them done for any reason, just move them to the next week. If you find you’re procrastinating and making excuses, and not getting any To Do’s done, look for videos about overcoming procrastination. Often, it’s fear. Befriend your fears and work with them.
I know this is cliche, but the steps along the way are the success. I can get overwhelmed when I realize I still have another book I have to write to get this project done, and I find I can often try to push myself too hard. When I notice that, I step back and take a breath—and remind myself the joy is in the journey.
Granted, that doesn’t always work, and it pisses me off sometimes, but I at least tell myself that.
Whether you’re 40, 50, or 70, it’s not too late. Even if you’re 80 and you want to be a dancer, take a class. Move one foot. Move a toe! It’s the little steps that turn into big actions. You’re capable of more than you realize. And even though you can’t do some things you could in your twenties, you now have wisdom and experience that you didn’t have back then.
So what’s one small step you can take? Let me know in the comments, so we can inspire each other.
Diane Hatz is an author, organizer, and inner activist. Join her email list to get personal newsletters and much more. You can find info on her books and writing on her website and through her email list.