Last Updated on 2 years by silvergentleman
I still remember the time when I was a child thinking that a man over 40 is ancient history and no way I would want to grow old. EVER. NOW as a 51 year old man, I’m proud to say that the hard part of life is over and I’m proud of where I’ve come. Would I want to change anything in the past? No way. Changing any part of my past might compromise what I currently have at the moment and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane with me. I was a shy dreamy kid growing up, struggling with grades in school as I would rather look out the window at the birds and trees. As a teenager, I was filled with raging hormones and angst while having to deal with acne. So, no thanks. Perhaps back to the time when I officially joined the corporate rat race in the finance industry as a clueless bewildered worker, living from paycheck to paycheck, and where my weekends were spent on housework and repaying my sleep debt due to the long hours I was putting in the office during the weekdays. Pass.
My thirties were spent continuing the climb up the corporate ladder and with an added stress – finding a partner to be my eventual wife. For some, this may not pose an issue but for me, as the child of divorced parents and being raised by a single mom, I’ve always embraced the idea of family and fatherhood. Girlfriends came and went, some more serious than the others but it all came to naught. One day when I was in my mid-thirties, my company posted me as an expat to a country on the other side of the world, and that was when I met the woman who will be my wife and the eventual mother to my 2 beautiful kids. I married late, close to 40.
But as they say, better late than never. My 40s were spent raising the little ones, and I must say I am a very hands-on dad. Shower? easy peasy. Diaper change? I can do them with my eyes closed. Nothing brings me more pride and joy than my kids, so I might be biased when I say that life starts from the 40s.
Perhaps the time I felt the most carefree was the time in my mid-twenties after working for a couple of years. I was so burnt out I decided to take a 2 year “gap year” as a mature adult and spent the time exploring Australia. This country, which is so amazing it’s an entire continent by itself, has always intrigued me.
I sold off everything I have and used all my savings for this trip of a lifetime. When I landed in Australia, I felt like I had entered Nirvana. I spent the time kite surfing and windsurfing, being a beach bum during the day and partying by night. During in-demand seasons, I made money picking apples and taking on random odd jobs.
However this is not REAL life, and all good things must come to an end. Eventually, I flew back home with nothing but a suitcase and had to start my life all over again. It felt strange being back in my mom’s place but within weeks, I found a new banking job followed by an apartment and a second car to get me back on my feet.
Life as a 50-something is not as life-changing as transitioning from a 30-something to a 40-year-old. Most of it is psychological of course.
I must say that life is getting better than ever and that is the reason why I’m starting this blog. To remind you guys, that LIFE is just beginning at this stage. 50 is the new 30. So come on this journey with me, and explore what life has to offer us beyond the big 5-0.
As we age, we often hear society say that life is well over the hill the moment you turn 50. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, especially for men.
In fact, life after 50 can be some of the best years of a man’s life. Here are five reasons why life after 50 is great for men.
Increased financial stability
Men over the age of 50 generally have more financial stability than their younger counterparts. Men in this age group generally earn more, have more money saved up, are less likely to have debt, and are more likely to own their homes outright. This financial stability can provide a sense of security and peace of mind that can be invaluable as we age. Many of us who chose to have kids would most likely have kids 10 -30 years of age, and of course, our financial situation depends on the life stages of our kids. However, it’s undeniable that we are in a better position now than when we were younger.
For many men, reaching the age of 50 marks a time of great achievement. We have worked hard to reach this point in our lives, and we deserve to enjoy the fruits of our labor. This increased financial stability can allow us to do just that. We can travel, take up new hobbies, and finally relax a little bit knowing that we have the resources to weather any storm.
More confidence and emotional stability
Research by Lifetime Daily has shown that men over the age of 50 are more confident and have more emotional stability than their younger counterparts. The study found that men in this age group are better able to cope with stress, anger and everyday challenges.
According to the researchers, the increased confidence and emotional stability of men over 50 is due to a number of factors, including greater life experience and wisdom. In addition, men in this age group are more likely to have established careers and stable relationships, which can provide a sense of security and satisfaction.
The findings of this study suggest that men over 50 are better equipped to deal with the challenges of life than younger men. This increased confidence and emotional stability can lead to better health outcomes, as well as increased success in work and personal relationships. As for me, I would like to add that as I entered my 40s, I started having the ability to say “No” with no guilt and to live life on my own terms. With my newfound confidence, I can see my friends respecting me more. And my relations at the workplace prospered as well, resulting in me being able to rise up the ladder in a quicker manner.
More time for relationships
As men age, they often find that they have more time for relationships. This is because their kids are grown and they are no longer working the long hours that they did when they were younger. Instead, they can focus on their relationships and spend time with their partner in a way that they couldn’t when they were younger.
This can be a great thing for both men and their partners. Men can finally have the time to focus on their relationship and work on making it stronger. And, since they are no longer working long hours, they can actually spend more time with their partner instead of being too exhausted to do anything but watch TV or sleep by the time they get off from work.
They also make better partners as they are more patient and less prone to sudden emotional bursts of anger compared to their younger days.
More attractive and distinguished looking
A new study published in the journal of Science Advances examined over 200,000 online dating profiles from various online dating apps and found that men’s desirability on the apps peaks at 50, while women’s desirability peaks at 18.
It has been found that men over the age of 50 are more attractive than their younger counterparts. The study, looked at a variety of physical and psychological factors to determine why this may be the case.
One reason for this finding may be that older men tend to have more experience and confidence than younger men. This can be attractive to potential partners. Older men also tend to be more financially stable and have a better sense of style than younger men.
The physical appearance of older men may also play a role in their attractiveness. Older men often look more distinguished, which has been found to be associated with masculinity and attractiveness. My wife laments that it’s not fair that a man gets more attractive in his 30s and especially entering his 40s, but a woman just simply gets older. In her words, an older man APPRECIATES, and an older woman DEPRECIATES.
As for the emerging wrinkles and grey hairs? Embrace them like a badge of honor for living life to the fullest! Who thinks George Clooney with his salt and pepper hair is oozing with sexiness, and what about the ever-macho David Beckham, who has those expression lines on his forehead? According to those in the know, he’s yet to succumb to botox and whatever treatments offered in the industry. He’s au naturale (for now)!
More time to pursue interests
A recent study shows that men over the age of 50 have more time to pursue hobbies and interests. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, found that men in this age group are more likely to have flexible work schedules and are less likely to be married or have children. This gives them more time to pursue interests outside of work.
Hobbies can include anything from gardening to golfing, and even fishing. There are many clubs and organisations that cater to specific hobbies, so it’s easy for men over 50 to find like-minded people to spend time with. Pursuing interests can also lead to new friendships and social opportunities.
This extra time can also be used for self-improvement, such as taking classes or learning new skills. With more free time, men over 50 can finally focus on themselves and their own personal development. I was quite the daredevil when I was much younger, I bungeed, skydived, and tried my hand at white water rafting. I snowboarded during winter and kite surfed and mountain biked during summer when I was younger, and now I do them with my kids.
While it’s been a couple of years since I last kite surfed, I still mountain bike weekly and found a new passion – stand-up paddle. As a son who’s into competitive sailing, I’m also looking to take up a private boating license. I’ve made tons of invaluable friendships and connections and it’s made me more fulfilled than ever.
Better physical health
As men age, they are more likely to experience a number of health problems. However, men over the age of 50 are generally in better health than their younger counterparts. This is due to a number of factors, including improved medical care and increased awareness of health risks.
Men over the age of 50 are more likely to have regular doctor appointments and to follow up on recommended screenings. They are also more likely to be proactive about their health, making lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases. In addition, older men tend to have better access to healthcare resources and information than younger men.
While aging comes with its own set of health risks, men who are over the age of 50 can take steps to improve their physical and mental health. When I was much younger, I was guilty of neglecting my health with way too much alcohol, late nights, and irregular sleeping patterns. I would work hard during the weekdays and party during the weekends. I ate what I wanted when I wanted with no portion control.
In a nutshell, I took my health for granted. When I entered my 40s, I started listening more to my body. I started having a regular workout schedule with a personal trainer. I go to bed earlier and at the same time every day if possible. I still have nights out but no longer the ones which lasted till the wee hours of the morning. Having shoulder pains for more than a week and it’s straight to the chiropractor for me, which would take months of nagging before I took action when I was younger. I also go for regular body checkups and trips to the dentist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, life after 50 can be a great time for men if they take advantage of the opportunities available to them. They can find new hobbies, rediscover old ones, and enjoy their free time. Plus, they can take advantage of their increased wisdom and knowledge to help others. So if you’re a man over 50, don’t despair; life can be pretty good.
As someone once said, “A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.” Can someone get this guy a pint of beer, please?
