The 3 Things Keeping Me Strong, Social, and Sharp at 61

I keep hearing that once we hit 60, we are supposed to start “winding down.”

But from where I am standing at 61—still working, still curious, and still very much full of ideas - this does not feel like winding down at all. If anything, it feels like a reset. A chance to do things differently or perhaps even better.

And I think this is where our generation is a little different. Many of us are still very much part of the working world. We are still contributing and adapting. For most women I know, stopping completely is not even an option… and in many ways, it is not even something we would choose.

We have worked hard for decades. We have earned a bit more time, a bit more perspective… and hopefully, a bit more confidence to do things our own way. Looking after ourselves now is not about ticking boxes. It is about feeling good in our bodies, staying interested in life, and keeping our world just big enough to feel exciting.

I do have friends who say that some days it is tempting to stay in pyjamas and not go anywhere. I completely understand that feeling. But I have found that even a simple walk, meeting a friend for coffee, or working on my blog gives the day a bit of a sparkle. We need to have something to look forward to. We need something to motivate us.

When it comes to fitness in our 60s, I have stopped thinking about it as “exercise” and started thinking of it as something more practical: keeping my independence intact. I want a body that can still say yes - yes to a walk, yes to carrying my own bags, and yes to getting up and about without hesitation. It does not have to be rigid or intense. It just has to be consistent enough to keep me moving.

If you are still working (like I am), there is actually a hidden advantage: structure. But I have also realised how easy it is to sit for too long and to forget to move. I try regular resets - a good stretch or a short walk. It is just enough to keep the blood flowing and my mind sharp.

I have also realised that staying mentally engaged matters just as much as staying physically active. Blogging has unexpectedly become part of that for me. Sitting at a laptop may not sound exciting, but everything around it keeps me engaged - thinking, researching, learning new skills, and connecting with a much bigger world than my own four walls.

Walking with a friend is another favourite. You start off just catching up, and before you know it, you have done a decent bit of cardio and had a proper laugh. There is something about being outdoors with people who understand this stage of life - no pressure, just presence.

We took the cable car this time… but I have climbed Table Mountain before. 😄

I have also come to appreciate how important it is to keep some sense of purpose outside of work and responsibilities. Sometimes it is simply staying connected to people, learning something new, helping where you can, or building something slowly for yourself. Having purpose keeps us engaged with life.

On the health side, I know not everyone enjoys check-ups. I have friends who avoid them completely. I am the opposite. I would rather know. Over the years, I have learnt to keep an eye on the basics: blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. And things like vision and hearing… they can change so gradually that you do not always notice until you really do.

Bone health is a big one for me, too. Being diagnosed with osteoporosis at 52 was a wake-up call I did not expect, but it taught me the value of staying ahead of things where I can.

And then there is the slightly intimidating part for many of us: technology. I see it all the time - that hesitation, that quiet fear of “what if I mess this up?” But here is what I have realised: Technology is not the enemy. It is one of the best tools we have for staying connected and independent. We do not have to master everything overnight. Just staying curious is enough.

Trying a new app. Learning how to edit a photo. Figuring something out step by step. Even starting something like a blog (which still feels slightly surreal to me some days). And yes, sometimes it does involve Googling “how to…” more often than we would like to admit. But that is part of it. We are still learning and adapting.

And that, to me, is the real “triple threat” - staying strong, staying connected, and staying open to new things.

Because being over 60 today does not look anything like it used to. We are not fading into the background. We are still building, exploring, and occasionally figuring things out the hard way.

This decade is not about slowing down. It is about choosing how we want to move forward - at our own pace, and in our own way.

💌 Before You Go

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If this felt familiar to you, even just a small “yes” in the comments would mean more to me than you know.

— Frannie ☕