100 Year Old Inspiration

100 Year Old Inspiration, Ivy 

100 year old inspiration, Ivy

Ivy was my husbands nan and she lived to nearly 101.  Ever since I first met her Ivy impressed me, she was a mere youngster of 86 then.  She still did her own housework and shopping, regularly went on outings with her boyfriend and would be the first on the dance floor at family parties.

As the years went by I watched, listened and picked up some of her secrets:

  • Have fun and laugh often
  • Stay mobile (she would stand while doing her jigsaw puzzles)
  • Keep the mind active (there was always a puzzle book on the go and she watched just about every quiz show on tv)
  • Have interests – (along with the quiz shows she loved all sports, apart from boxing)
  • Eat a good breakfast (a bowl of cereal piled high with all sorts of fruits)
  • Start the day with hot water and lemon
  • Don’t eat after 6pm

Of course these are great tips and we all need to find our own versions that will work for us.  Ivy’s tips might not work for everyone.   For example, it might not be possible to eat after 6pm due to work commitments.

Actions

I’ve been trying to do some of my computer work standing up but haven’t been successful so far, so have built regular walks into my routine instead.  I’m currently a work in progress when it comes to over hauling my food and drink consumption.  There’s still plenty more for me to learn and implement.

A different question.

100 year old inspiration what would you have to do

That thought stopped me in my tracks.  Firstly because I simply can’t imagine living that long.

In itself that’s a good wake up call.  I meet so many people who are considerably younger than me who already feel it’s too late for them to change direction in life, that they don’t have enough time.  Well if they managed to follow Ivy’s example they’d have plenty of time!

So here’s a few questions for you to mull over.  Assuming you live to 100:

  • What would you have time to do?
  • What steps would you need to take now to care for your body?
  • How would you take care of your mind?
  • What would you do to nuture your spirit?
  • What plans could you put in place now to move towards the life you want for your remaining years?

I’ve always hated the idea of a bucket list as it implies a shortage of time to me.  I understand that we sometimes need that wake-up call but what if were to focus on the potential time that we COULD have and how we’d like to spend that? Doesn’t it seem so much more full of possibilities and fun that way?

100 year old inspiration, JL Cakes

Thanks for the inspiration Ivy!

About Clare Wildman

Life coaching from Lincolnshire. Having moved from Milton Keynes I'm now based between Boston and New York, in the UK. Looking forward to welcoming clients to the new coaching room and having the option for walking as we talk or taking advantage of sunny days in the garden.