Written By: Wendy Flaherty
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
My daughter recently gave me a sneak preview of her son’s first birthday party invitation. The theme made me smile: “First Trip Around the Sun.”
January 26th is my birthday, and that simple phrase sent my thoughts spinning—quite literally—toward the universe.
Stepping back to think about our lives in the greater scheme of the cosmos is fascinating. The Earth carries us roughly 584 million miles through space every year, spinning at more than 67,000 miles per hour. Each birthday marks another full orbit around the Sun.
And yet, while it’s a cosmic journey, it’s also deeply personal—a quiet checkpoint to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go next.
A Year in Review: Reflecting on Life After 60
Every year is filled with moments of struggle, moments of joy, and sometimes simply moments of being present.
If you’d like an easy way to reflect, try this: scroll back through the photos on your phone. It’s amazing how quickly memories—and lessons—come rushing back.
As you look, ask yourself:
- What did I learn this year?
- Who or what surprised me?
- What am I truly grateful for?
- What would I like to change?
- Did I try something new?
My Own Reflections
This past year brought both beginnings and goodbyes.
I welcomed two grandchildren into the world, and I also lost a wonderful mother-in-law. I’m saddened she never had the chance to meet her great-grandchildren.
My husband and I officially became Florida residents, a goal we had for years. Now, it feels bittersweet—it also means spending six months a year away from our grandchildren.
I’m playing more golf, which has become my happy place. And I started this blog—to learn, to grow, and to write. Trying something new has energized me in ways I didn’t expect.
Here are a few other things I learned along the way:
- Downsizing is more expensive than you think.
- As retirement gets closer, cash flow matters more than ever.
- Watching your grown children become parents is one of life’s quiet miracles.
- Time is a precious gift. Quitting my job gave me more of it—and I’m deeply grateful.
Birthdays & Wisdom
With age comes perspective. Maybe even a little wisdom.
Here are a few truths I keep coming back to:
- Life really is like a roll of toilet paper the closer you get to the end of the roll the faster it goes. The older you get the faster time goes. Enjoy each day. Try to do something that brings you joy—every single day.
- Don’t compare yourself to others, especially when it comes to money. You never truly know someone else’s situation, and comparison rarely brings peace.
- Work is called work for a reason. A boss once told me, “If you like your job three days out of five, you’re doing well. More than that, you’re doing great. Less than that, it may be time for a change.”
- Faith in something bigger than yourself. It can carry you through hard seasons.
- Friendship makes life richer. Nurture your close relationships—and stay open to new ones.
- Read. Readers really are leaders.
Looking Ahead
So let me ask you:
How will you make sure you do something fun every day this year?
If you’re still working, are you happy at least three days a week? If not, maybe it’s time to explore something new—or even consider retirement.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Painting. Traveling. Joining a running club. Writing your story.
You are never too old to begin again.
Final Thoughts
As I write this, one of my best friends just welcomed a new grandchild—on my birthday. Another friend is saying goodbye to his mother in hospice. And my brother-in-law is in the hospital, waiting for heart surgery.
This is life. Always arriving and always leaving. Always moving.
So, enjoy each birthday. Each orbit around the Sun. And take a few quiet moments this year to reflect—so the next trip around can be even more meaningful.
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln
Helpful Resources for Your Next Trip Around the Sun
If you’re thinking about how to make the most of your next chapter, here are a few resources I often recommend:
- NASA – Earth’s Orbit and Motion: Learn more about how our planet travels through space each year.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/facts/ - National Institute on Aging – Healthy Aging: Practical guidance on staying active, connected, and healthy as we get older.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health - AARP – Retirement Planning & Lifestyle: Tools and articles on retirement, money, and living well after 60.
https://www.aarp.org/retirement/ - Psychology Today – Gratitude and Well-Being: Research-backed insights on how gratitude improves happiness and mental health.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gratitude
These aren’t endorsements—just thoughtful starting points if you’d like to explore, plan, or reflect a little deeper this year. And here is another Blog Post you might like: Don’t Underestimate Finding Your Purpose (at any age!)