For many of us, planning for aging looks very different than it did for prior generations—and that’s especially true for women. Some of us live to be over 100. Many are in their 50s when they send their last child off to college. Others retire at 60. Most women have decades left after these types of life events. With the average age of widowhood being 59, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the growing trend of “gray divorce” – a term used to describe divorcing after the age of 50 – many of us may find ourselves navigating the emotional and financial complexities of aging alone.
Without a blueprint to follow or a partner to lean on, it is critical as women that we adequately prepare for the myriad circumstances that lie ahead—from the good, to the bad, and even the unexpected. Prepare for the good Whether it be an empty nest, retirement, divorce, or widowhood, the many milestones of aging can trigger a sense of emptiness—and with that, a loss of purpose and identity. Yet moments of transition can also present a unique and rewarding opportunity for self-discovery. With lessened demands of a career, children, or a spouse, we may have more time to look inward and discover new meaning. This is an example of “the good” that can come with aging. An especially impactful conduit for finding new purpose later in life is through engaging wi …