Love, Sex and Romance After 50 - You Can Have It All!

Shop at: https://amzn.to/3B7nifq

After 50 years of marriage, my husband and I are still very much in love and enjoy spending time together, even if it is just watching our favorite television shows, or eating out at a neighborhood restaurant.  Sadly, many people in their 50s, 60s and older have given up on love and have started to believe they will never experience it, or have it, again, once they have lost the former "love of their life."  Fortunately, that does not have to be true!

Francine Russo, a journalist who focuses on psychology, has recently published the encouraging book, "Love After 50: How to Find It, Enjoy It, and Keep It." (Ad)  It has the potential to open the eyes of many seniors who have given up hope of ever having a romantic relationship again.

If you feel discouraged about having a good relationship late in life, look around at all the older couples who are determined not to give up on love.  Even the ABC television network has chosen to introduce a new segment on their Bachelor series, "The Golden Bachelor."  They know that people of all ages can maintain their current love, or find a new one. 

In writing "Love After 50," (Ad) journalist Francine Russo interviewed the best experts in the field, as well as dozens of couples to help show other people the way to a satisfying relationship at any age.

Her book includes advice such as:

How to recover from the emotional damage of divorce, the grief of widowhood, or a history of unfulfilling relationships
How to build realistic requirements for a partner
What attitudes to bring to dating
How to overcome the psychical challenges of sex and embrace your erotic selves
How to evaluate the financial, emotional, and practical results of marrying, living together, or living apart
How to deal with (hostile) adult kids to safeguard your relationship and family

Loneliness is a serious problem for many senior citizens.  It is believed that it can contribute to a significant number of health problems, especially since lonely people are less likely to eat right and get the necessary amount of exercise and sleep for optimal health.  One way to combat this is to reach out to others and learn the excitement of dating again!

Shop at: DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

"Love After 50" (Ad) by Francine Russo is an insightful book that delves into the world of romance and relationships in the later stages of life. Drawing from extensive research and interviews, Russo provides a fascinating exploration of the unique challenges, joys, and issues which come from seeking love and companionship after the age of 50.

Russo's writing style is engaging and accessible, making this book suitable for readers of various ages and backgrounds. She combines personal anecdotes, real-life stories, and expert analysis to create a well-rounded and informative book. The book's easy, conversational tone and realistic examples allow readers to easily connect with real-life experiences and emotions.

Russo's does a great job challenging our social stereotypes and preconceptions about love and aging. "Love After 50" shows that romance and passion are not limited to the young, but can flourish in any stage of life. Through the stories she relates, Russo demonstrates the importance of embracing change, taking risks, and remaining open to new possibilities in order to find love later in life.

In addition, Russo also talks about dating and forming relationships as an older adult. She goes further than just romance, however,  She also deals with the very real issues of blending families, managing different expectations, and overcoming the challenges of previous relationships and losses. 

"Love After 50" will help mature adults learn to deal with the broader impact of late-life relationships, especial in the way they affect family and social connections. It explores common reactions and attitudes of adult children, grandchildren, and friends, revealing the opinions and reactions that may come up when an older individual enters a new romantic relationship.

In conclusion, "Love After 50" by Francine Russo is an enlightening exploration of late-life relationships.  Whether you are in this age group or simply interested in understanding relationships in the later stages of life, "Love After 50" is a well-researched book which will give you a deeper appreciation for the power of love and the possibilities that exist at any age.

It is available in Kindle, paperback, hardback and Audible versions.  

Share your romantic side with someone special by selecting a piece of jewelry for them from my Etsy store.  You can find a wide range of items, including this infinity and crystal circle pendant which comes in a gift box that you can personalize with her name or a special message.  

She will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts at:

DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

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If you are interested in learning more about saving money, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credits:  Amazon and Etsy

Book Review: "The 60-Something Crisis - How to Live an Extraordinary Life in Retirement"

 

Link to: "The 60-Something Crisis"

If you are a Baby-Boomer who is retired or near retirement, you may be wondering, "What's next?"  You have probably done what you can to assure your financial security, and made decisions about when to collect your Social Security, what type of Medicare plan you intend to use, and how to begin using withdrawals from your retirement savings.  However, what you may not have considered is what to do with the decades of life you may have left.

Most healthy, active Baby Boomers are not content to sit at home, putter in their gardens, watch soap operas on TV, or crochet doilies for their sofa arms ... activities which once occupied the time of our elderly grandparents.  We want to pursue lives which engage us, and make us feel as if we are getting the most out of the final decades of our life.  But, how do we do that?

One way to find the guidance you need to navigate the final quarter of your life is to read the inspiring book, "The 60-Something Crisis - How to Live an Extraordinary Life in Retirement." It will help you to realize that reaching retirement is not the end of the useful part of your life.  Indeed, it may be the very beginning of a period of time during which you could be your most productive and/or create the most amazing memories. 

The author, Barbara Pagano, points out very early in the book that the vast majority of people today feel healthy and energetic when they reach their 60's.  People our age still get exercise, wear Fitbits and Apple watches, go dancing, play golf or tennis and, best of all, many of us still look pretty good.  Many of us are also health conscious, watching our weight and what we eat. 

However, once we reach our mid-70s, research shows that our happiness often begins to drop off.  The incidence of suicide and loneliness increases at this age.  We may have regrets, especially regrets about not having achieved our dreams and aspirations.

Is there a way to re-write this script and change the outcome of this final period of life?  Yes!

"The 60-Something Crisis" is a Different Kind of Retirement Book

As you read this book, you will begin to evaluate your retirement years in a different light ... a much healthier, happier approach.  First, you will redefine what it means to work in retirement.  The author points out in the first section that retirement is a major disrupter in your life.  It can be a time of disappointment and frustration, unless we change our current path, and choose a better one.

The second section of the book discusses how you can find a future that is truly your own.  Here are the important topics discussed in this section:

Geography of Place - What place makes you happy?  This could be the time in your life when you should move there, wherever that may be. Some couples even pull up roots and embrace a nomadic lifestyle together. This is the time to enjoy the places and lifestyle which make you happy, now that you are no longer tied to living out your remaining years in the same place you have always lived.

Yield - While there are many definitions of yield, in this context it is described as "our beacon of triumph leading us to meaning and well-intentioned living."  Whatever work you choose to do in your remaining years, it must offer a "yield" or return in value.  This would include getting "fair pay for your value, control of your time, and a chance for creativity." We all want to feel that there is a value to the way we are spending our time during this part of our lives.

Freedom - Barbara Pagano describes this as "fiercely owning your life."  This is your opportunity to pursue activities which you consider important.  If doing this makes your life feel new, she emphasizes that "to feel the newness of life after 50 or 60 years of living is extraordinary."

Kinship - Ms. Pagano asks in this chapter, "Are friends and family more important than eating kale?"  The answer is a resounding "yes."  It is very important that you do not become socially isolated as you age.  While a huge number of people in their 80s and 90s live alone, it is more important than ever to find ways to lead active social lives, even if you prefer to live alone.

What's Next in Your Retirement?

The last part of the book emphasizes how important it is NOT to squander your last decades of life.  If you want to know how to get the most out of your final 25 years, reading this book is a good place to start.  It will open your eyes to all the possibilities you still have left in your life!

As I read this book, I analyzed how I might apply it to my life, since I am now in my mid-70s and certainly do NOT feel depressed or dissatisfied. Why is that?

Details about this: Framed Surfer Photo

Applying this Book to My Life

It would not be fair to recommend this book to others, if I was unwilling to share how I have applied these principals myself.

Personally, reviewing this book has also made me happy that I have been writing this blog since I was in my early 60s, and have now added an Etsy store to my online activities, which is another way for me to be creative, earn extra money, and have the freedom to work when and where I want.  I have learned that there is no reason to allow myself to be bored during the final decades of my life.  I want to embrace my life, my family, and my friendships as much as possible!  

I have used my life experiences to create a line of jewelry engraved with a variety of inspirational words and slogans. I also spend hours nearly every week at our local Southern California beaches and similar locations, and have used some of the photos I have taken to create unique products on my Etsy store, DeborahDianGifts. What fun I have taking photos and arranging to have them printed on framed posters, t-shirts, coffee mugs and a host of other items.  I'm living in a part of the country which makes me happy, doing things I enjoy.

I am benefiting in all the ways the book recommends, including enjoying the geography of a place I love, getting a yield from it, having freedom, and even finding kinship with the people who walk with me and work with me on my different pursuits.  As Barbara Pagano suggests, I feel like I'm living "an extraordinary life!"  

I encourage you to read this book and begin to examine your life and improve the quality of your retirement years.  If I can do it, you can, too!

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about how to have a successful retirement, saving money, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Amazon book cover and my Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts