Each and every day, 10,000 people in North America turn 50. Within a few years, the entire Baby Boomer generation (400 million of us in North American and Western Europe) will be in our 50s and 60s. And though the headlines scream endlessly about the "pension bomb" and "agequake," I've been asking myself what else might happen when all these people move into a new phase of life at once. What benefit might there be?
I've been writing about what I call "ripening" -- finding new passion and purpose after 50. Ripening is good news for individuals; over and over those who've blazed the path have told me, "This is the most satisfying work I've ever done." But is it just the icing on the cake of our careers? Or is there more to the story?
When the Ripe pioneers I interviewed for my book said that they truly believe their "greatest contribution" is yet to come, they weren't talking exclusively about their own ambitions. Yes, they are pursuing their agendas, but each also sees their work as contributing in some way to the greater good.
Sitting at my desk, reflecting on these conversations, I wondered: might our inner adventurer lead us into uncharted territory -- not just as individuals but as a society? What if we were to work together to create a world in which there was no time limit on individual achievement, a world where people -- without exception -- were encouraged to develop and share their unique gifts with others?
One possibility came to me in an unusual way.
After a Christmas lunch with a dear friend who is planning to retire, I walked home slowly, head down, deep in thought. I was troubled that he hadn't given much consideration to what he was going to do with the years ahead -- his "third third," as it's sometimes called.
Suddenly, I stopped. There on the sidewalk before me lay a stick, blown down in the previous night's storm. Someone had stepped on it, breaking it into two pieces. One of the pieces was two-thirds of the full length, and the other, one third. I laughed.
I wasn't just amused by the literal representation of what had been on my mind. The space between the two pieces of wood -- the gap -- caught my eye and ignited my imagination. "We need a gap year for grown ups!" I cried out, and rushed to get back to writing RIPE.
As you know, a gap year is an established tradition for students -- time between school and university spent traveling, working, "chilling." Why not introduce a similar break for everyone in their 50th year? A time to completely step away from our usual routines. We could spend our year in service, such as the Peace Corps. We could use it for study, writing or reflection. Whatever we choose, we would return refreshed and ready to ripen.
But why stop there? What if we were to create centres around the world where people like us could meet for their gap year? Imagine the subjects on offer, the conversations in the hallways, the new ventures that would emerge!
In the next few weeks, I'll explore other ideas about how we might change not just our work but the world around us.
Are you over 50 and ripe for change? Are you feeling at the top of your game? Are you finding that the world wants you to go away? Share your story with us below or feel free to email me via my website.
"RIPE" is here! This spring, I'm writing about "RIPE: Rich, Rewarding Work After 50," a 12-week course on discovering passion, purpose and possibility at midlife. Check out the video (a.k.a. book trailer!):
Be part of the "RIPE" community on HuffPost, Facebook and Twitter. Together, we are going to change this phase of life!
Follow Julia Moulden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/juliamoulden
"Sitting at my desk, reflecting on these conversations, I wondered: might our inner adventurer lead us into uncharted territory -- not just as individuals but as a society?" One can live in hope! ... or as R. Buckminster Fuller put it -"Utopia or Oblivian"
I get a sense that there is a hybrid developing; the offspring of a marriage between vocation and avocation. I am hoping that this progeny will be schooled in the values of a mindful relationship to a more globally interconnected responsibility.
If one were to brazenly assume that after 50 years or so most individuals acquire a modicum of wisdom, then the "agequake" will undoubtedly stimulate major social shifts; particularly in light of the degree the curtain has been pulled back exposing The Wizard of OZ.
Keep writing!
However, I've been unable to do it because I keep getting job opportunities, part-time opportunities ( teaching), and I've been taking them, because I feel somewhat afraid they might not come my way again,but , in my heart, I'm ready for a leap year.
let's say I've been on a part-time leap year for half a year now, the bad thing about this is that I can think about my next "third third"only part-time, so it will take longer for me to come to conclusions:)
Now I'm at the self-analysis and acceptance stage, and I'm also beginning to feel excitement about the new possibilities, about the unknown new reality that I can create for myself.
I'm also glad the very busy years are behind me now.
At the age of 48, after an 18 year career in a VERY specialized field of high tech (only 3 companies in the US do what I do, making me essentially an over-qualified, un-skilled worker) ended in 2008 just before the collapse, I found myself forced into a gap year that will turn into 3 years next month. We were also forced into downsizing our lives as well, having to shrug off a lifetime's accumulation, including the house and vehicles, leaving only the belongings we could wedge into a 5x10 storage room. That time has allowed us to explore our options for the future.
Having given up on finding a job because of our ages, my husband (who is 60 ) and I are trying to build a business together. While we are still struggling, things are improving. And the ironic thing is that even though we are currently below the poverty level, and now living in an old mobile home, we are closer and happier than we have ever been. We love what we are doing and we do not miss the stress of working for someone else. We wish we had done this years ago.
companionship, time to think and do the things you love, you got rid of the stuff, we should all do that.
Nothing beats feeling fully alive -- and we have to live on the edge, some kind of edge, to feel that way.
BTW, some companies ARE getting the importance of sabbaticals. I'll be writing about one. Stay tuned - and keep us posted on what you're doing, FaeKnight!
I'm 60 now and I've been on some strenuous 2- 3 hour hikes this year - we climbed steep hills, crossed rivers and climbed over rocks.
Yes these are difficult times and no one would deny that jobs are hard to come by, but I think too many of us are sitting on the bench with my granny watching life pass by and saying "poor me I'm trapped in this mindless stressful life..."
Not me! I'm thrilled at the idea of re-inventing myself. YES WE CAN!
In November 2008, at the age of 49, I lost my job, when the company I ran and part-owned went bust. It was not a good age to try to find a new job, and I haven't managed to do so since then, despite being well-qualified.
However, I have managed to do other things. First, I finished the law degree that I had been studying for at home. Then I set out to have one new project a year. 2009's was to learn to do practical things; painting, building etc. 2010's was to start a blog (see http://blotschersrant.blogspot.com/). 2011's is to make a kitchen garden.
I also took full advantage of the fact that these years were my two sons' last at home (they both moved out last August). Seeing so much of them was a big plus. And I have kept fit by doing a lot of cycling.
Money is tight. But when I compare my life to that of people who do have a job, the word that pops up more than any other is stress. Those who have work just don't seem to enjoy it very much these days, which is a shame.
If and when there is an upturn, then I feel that I am well-qualified to take advantage of it. Not because I am burning with competitive fire, but because I am experienced, healthy, and well-balanced.
Any employers out there?
Regards,
Walter Blotscher
Denmark
Employers use a code on resumes for ppl over 50 and then toss them.
Nice idea. It might work for some. I'm sure I won't be the only one to comment: Unlike students' gap year (which was an unknown in the US until a few years ago and is still a rarity), people turning 50 have committments. Young people use the year to cut the apron strings. 50-year-olds have mortgages, if they are lucky enough to have a home and to have kept it. They have children in school. They are now aware that their retirement clock is ticking. They have 15 years to bolster that 401K or IRA. They have to hang onto that job-related insurance. The gap year is in effect for many who are unemployed. Even if they re-evaluate their situation, they may still hit the brick wall and slip down the ladder into poverty.
This gap year idea is also aimed squarely at those who are already in a comfortable financial situation - I mean, who have the luxury and education to go looking for something new (and that's before we get to the responsibilities you mentioned). Try telling one of those $9 an hour supermarket cleaners to take a gap year - realistic, not.