We all ring in the New Year with hope and promise.  Another year comes and goes, one birthday after another it seems.  The saying "time has flown by" is true if you have never stopped to appreciate the World around you.  Preparing for senior years is not a subject that is taught or thought about much.  That magic age of 62 creeps up on a person.

Yet, much like when you graduated from high school and were unsure of your future and who you will become, retiring is an individualistic endeavor, confusing and filled with uncertainty.  Some will not retire but choose to maintain their career or pivot into an encore career in their latter years, others will need to retire due to job loss, medical issues or just because "it's time". 

Retiring is the final chapter of one's life and it should be just as meaningful as former life chapters.  It should not be something that one "just does".  The decision to retire from working is an important one, based on a multitude of factors.  Seek out resources and articles to help you make an informed decision as to when, where, how and why you will choose to retire and no longer participate in the work force.

Embrace aging, accept it, make the process the very best you can, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  There's no substitute for wisdom, be proud that you are wise.  Be a mentor to others and share your experience and knowledge.  

It's a life journey filled with ups, downs, happiness, sadness and adventures you could not have possibly predicted.  In your aging journey you will mature emotionally, mentally and physically.  Take a moment to envision how your aging path will look, how you want it to look and be, and how you will achieve that.  While no one can predict how your life will evolve, you can, to some extent, control that process.  Living to retirement successfully does take planning, and courage.  Are your retired and in your senior years?  Are you content with yourself and your life situation?  Do you cherish each day and look forward to the next knowing that at this stage of your life the best things in life are free?  Do you accept who you are and what you have become?  Do you look forward to new adventures?  Take a moment, at any age, to reflect on who you are, where you are in life and plan as best you can, how you will age gracefully.  Remember:  there is no "do-over", you've only got one chance to live your life with peace, harmony, love and contentment - try to get it right the first time.

If you have come to peace with yourself that you are a senior and that that life stage brings about its own challenges and physical changes, goals and priorities.  Never more has there been a time when seniors have so many resources at their disposal to help them physically, financially, emotionally and mentally age gracefullyt.  Take time to research what resources are available to you to help you.

And, at this stage of life, your wisdom is very valuable.  What you have seen, done and witnessed is part of your social, emotional, mental, physical and cultural being, information that can be passed along giving back to those younger (and possibly of your own age) in need of guidance and spiritual uplift.  Volunteer, teach, pay it forward... No matter how you accomplish giving back, it will fulfill your soul, make someone's life brighter and help you leave your legacy after you have passed on.  No act of kindness is too small.  And while you're at it, be sure to acknowledge and thank those that pay you an act of kindness.  These things help make the World around you and your society a better place - be a part of making that happen.

A relatively new senior lifestyle has become an accepted aging challenge - aging as a single orphaned female senior without a spouse, husband or children.  While this might be seen as a sad plight, it is actually an empowering lifestyle and aging challenge that many women face, embrace and successfully develop a senior lifestyle.  

Yet, there are challenges that single senior women face and must conquer to successfully live out their senior years to the fullest.  Ever more important is keeping yourself healthy, ready to meet any life challenge that may arise.  Choose your living arrangements carefully, plan your financial resources, and get your estate, living will and caregivers in place.  Develop close friends and relationships, pursue your passions and be ever positive.   With careful planning, your senior golden years can be happy and fulfilled.   See:  https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/happy-retirement/602572/4-steps-to-a-happy-single-retirement?amp