The older generation is defying stereotypes and embracing thrilling hobbies and experiences, as revealed by the top 50 activities over 50s intend to pursue. A survey conducted among 2,000 adults aged over 50 uncovered that 47 percent of respondents have developed a new outlook on life, with 62 percent expressing a stronger desire to embrace new things than ever before.
The list of aspirations includes writing a book, taking up skiing, and conquering a mountain, as 53 percent firmly believe that “age is just a number.” Additionally, becoming fluent in a new language, running a marathon, and learning to play a musical instrument also feature prominently.
Ryan Howsam, founder and CEO at Staysure, the company that commissioned the survey, commented, “We all know being 50 isn’t old, but most of us regard it as one of life’s milestones. It’s great to see people of this age and older adopting a zest for life and fulfilling lifelong ambitions. As the research suggests, this is because they now have more time for themselves and feel ready to take on new challenges.”
Maintaining a youthful spirit, over half of the respondents (52 percent) consider it important to have aspirations, with three in 10 more likely to fulfill these goals now that they have reached a later stage in life. Factors contributing to this shift include having more leisure time (62 percent), retirement (43 percent), and no longer having children living at home (37 percent).
For 73 percent of respondents, having ambitions is crucial as it provides something to strive for, while 35 percent are eager to demonstrate that age does not impose restrictions once a person turns 50.
Interestingly, a quarter of respondents claimed that their 20s were the period in life when they had the most life ambitions, but only 14 percent managed to achieve them during that decade. Growing older has prompted almost half of them (49 percent) to gain a new perspective, driving them to accomplish their ambitions and engage in new experiences.
The study, conducted by OnePoll, also revealed that a third of respondents are seen by others as individuals who embrace life and fearlessly pursue new endeavors.
Encouragingly, 71 percent still consider themselves “young,” with 82 percent of those in agreement aged 75 or older. Furthermore, 66 percent of all respondents over 50 believe that one’s age is determined by how they feel.
With more than three in 10 (31 percent) feeling less bored compared to when they were younger, and 67 percent confident that they still have ample time to achieve lifelong goals, Staysure has decided to introduce a ski school for the over-50s, coinciding with the current ski season. The aim is to promote their “no upper age limit” winter sports cover, celebrating skiers of all ages and providing them with the necessary skills and advice before they hit the slopes for their winter sports holiday.
Ryan Howsam concluded, “We hope our brand-new ski school demonstrates that age should never limit one’s sense of adventure, and you are never too old to try new things. Age shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying something they’re passionate about or block them from trying out new things.”
Here is the list of the top 50 activities over 50s intend to pursue:
- Travel more
- Retire
- Make new friends
- Pay off the mortgage
- Attend more gigs and concerts
- Downsize my home
- Master a foreign language
- Overcome a fear
- Move to the countryside
- Write a book
- Take up yoga
- Dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant
- Learn to play a musical instrument
- Move abroad
- Relocate to a different city
- Upsize my home
- Join a gym
- Buy my dream car
- Take up painting
- Start dating again
- Climb a mountain
- Get a tattoo
- Choose a new career
- Run a marathon
- Learn how to ballroom dance
- Buy a motorbike
- Get a personal trainer
- Skydive
- Encourage my children to move out
- Try surfing
- Cycle on a mountain
- Undergo facial cosmetic surgery (e.g., Botox or a facelift)
- Obtain a degree
- Drive on a racetrack
- Ride a rollercoaster
- Get a six-pack
- Learn to swim
- Try online dating
- Take up samba lessons
- Learn to fly a plane
- Encourage my children to move in
- Take up skiing or snowboarding
- Undergo liposuction or a tummy tuck
- Try hang-gliding
- Set up an Instagram page
- Swim the English Channel
- Try kickboxing
- Perfect a handstand
- Have a breast augmentation
- Set up a Tinder profile