Too many parents today are accustomed to the inertia of their lives. Not many remember how it was to be a carefree young person again, to just get out and have fun. In fact, few parents have a social life outside of family trips and visiting relatives. But living like this can be a shortcut to growing old! And staying busy can be a great way of keeping your body and mind healthy. Living like a teenager brings you closer to looking like one!
We look at a few ways of spicing up your life and having fun.
Take a Good Look at Yourself
The very reason adults slip into a daily routine they cannot break out of is because they are comfortable with it. But now may be a time to take a good hard look at yourself. Are your colleagues and friends living a far better life? Fun is something everybody is entitled to and if you feel your life has turned into a drag, it becomes your job to do something about it! Once you feel you are ready to feel young again, there are a bunch of things you could do. And remember; NEVER tell yourself that you are too old.
Get a New Hobby
A hobby can get you into a completely new social circle and have you feeling like a curious teenager once again. Doing something that you truly love doing can be excellent for your mood and will make you feel fulfilled. In fact, a hobby can be the perfect solution if you have a dreary job!
Vishal Shetty, a marketing manager, with an MNC from Mumbai, was highly dissatisfied with the dead-end life he was living, when he decided to give motor sports a shot. 'The moment I got interested in motor sports, I suddenly started to enjoy my daily drive. Suddenly, I was also getting along better with my son who loves F1 Racing, and my social life got a boost thanks to Sunday races at the local Sports Bar!'
Meena Iyengar, who works for a bank, took up a long forgotten dream of painting. She says it is the best thing she ever did. 'Coming back home to empty rooms was just depressing. My kids had grown up and were hardly ever home. A friend told me about painting classes that were being held at the local gallery. I signed up and now, every day is a blur! Not only did I meet new people, but find a lot of satisfaction from my painting.'
Rediscover an Old Hobby
Was there a hobby that you loved to death but had to give up because of your hectic life? Now could be a great time to revive it. Returning to a hobby can be exciting and bring that much needed spark back to your life. Not only will it remind you of how things used to be but you could probably do it much better now! And remember that including your spouse in the plans will not only make it more pleasurable, but it will give you private time to spend with your partner too.
Like Meenal Vohra, who used to love collecting miniature crystal pieces. She says, 'I was cleaning out our bedroom cabinets when I found my old crystal collection that I had packed away when we moved houses. I could not stop myself from crying because I was very attached to them and I could not believe I had forgotten about them! So, after a 12 year break, I got back into collecting crystal showpieces with a vengeance. And it's easier now because I have more money and more time!'
Never too old to Learn!
Most adults are nervous about trying something new. But remember that the happiest people are the ones who get out and do what they want to do. Does dancing fascinate you? How about skydiving? Has guitar playing always intrigued you? You should go and sign up for these activities right away. All these things can be learnt at absolutely any age!
In fact, at classes that teach these sorts of activities, you can find people from various age groups. It is not uncommon to see middle aged couples at salsa dancing classes or treks or even underwater snorkeling trips! Many clubs and pubs have patrons who range from 18 years to 50+ years of age. And long gone are the days when only youngsters
Catch up with Friends
Did you let your friends slip away because you got caught up with your work and home? You should pick up that phone and give your oldest friends a call right now! Not only will it bring back some fond memories and give you nostalgic memories, this can be a great opportunity for all of you to team up and make new plans for trips together. Being with your old friends can be ultimate shot in the arm if you want to feel young.
These are only some of the ways in which you can improve your social life and feel younger. Remember that it is essentially about an attitude change and not in the things you do. You do not need a lot of money to get out and do crazy things. All it takes is the will!
Are you bored with your life? Are you looking for ways to rejuvenate it? Do you completely miss the feeling of being young?
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