Have you ever heard of “longevity literacy?” I certainly had not. This new-to-me term is associated with how well we predict how long we are going to live. From a study about this topic, I learned that over half of us underestimate how long we will live!
The study focused on the financial decision-making implications of this underestimation. Of course, they found that people who underestimate their lifespan tend to not save the financial resources needed to live comfortably for all their years after full-time work. I pondered what other consequences might occur that may impact the quality of life beyond the life span we anticipate.
A Thought Experiment
Let’s begin to understand the implications of “longevity literacy” on how we may choose to live our lives.
Experiment 1
First, put yourself in the mindset that in your 60s or 70s you are simply winding down, navigating the best you can into your final days. The creative, meaningful, active parts of life are over; you will try to maintain your independence for as long as possible. As my dad put it, he was “waiting for God.” Or, as a woman on social media stated, she is happy in her recliner watching the world go by. In effect, you are deciding that your age is the final chapter of life.
Now, from this state of mind, think about what your life will look like in three years. What do you expect in your life if you are ‘winding down’? What are you doing? How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
Experiment 2
Next, put yourself in the mindset that in your 60s or 70s you may well live another 20 years, or more. After all, a healthy 65-year-old woman in the US is expected to live 20 more years and that is on average. That means, if you are healthy, it could well be 25 or 30 more years. Over two decades of life is certainly more than one chapter in your book of life! Perhaps think of it as Part 4 with multiple chapters. There is time to create, to contribute, and to learn new things.
Now, think about your life in three years. What do you expect your life to look like? Who are you with? What are you doing? How do you feel each day?
My Experiment
I’m almost 77, so on average I am expected to live 11 more years. I figure I am on the far side of that ‘average’. I’m expecting about 20 more years. I am active and take care of myself. My grandma and aunts all lived into their 90s, and I sure look like them!
When I put myself in the mindset of waiting for my final days, I lose all inspiration to do anything. In fact, it startles me with what ease that feeling of ennui and despondency can slip in. Why bother? I am instantly stuck in thinking of the inevitable dreary days ahead, as more decline looms. No thank you!
If I put myself in the mindset that there are up to 20 years of life ahead, I immediately fall into a “what do I want to do with them” thought pattern. There are more gardens to grow, places to travel, things to learn, adventures to be had and friends to enjoy. Suddenly, I can’t wait to set the days ahead into action to love every minute I have.
I May Not Live So Long
What if we overestimate our lifespan, and our time is shorter than we anticipate? In my mind, the benefits still are all positive. Can you think of a downside?
Each of us has our own path. For example, I realize that having had cancer twice may have an impact on my longevity… or not! I believe in living from the positive view. I choose to relish every day I have. What do you choose? Those of us who have faced our mortality through illness or accident often are the ones most tuned into the value of living all of our days to the fullest.
Wouldn’t you rather live with an inspired mindset, no matter the number of years? It is much more fun!
The Self-fulfilling Prophecy
Another benefit is that a positive mindset about aging can serve to add years of life as well as quality to those years. So, a positive mindset about what is possible as we age becomes, to a degree, a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If you wake up ready to make the most of the day, you probably are more likely to connect with others and be more active than if you were just letting the day go by. Right? Both connections and activity contribute to a longer and healthier life. If we have 5, 10, 15 years we may not anticipate, why not do what we can to live them with vitality and happiness?
If we are writing chapters in our book of life, imagine how it would feel to decide to write the final chapter, then sit there with pen and paper, yet write no more. Can you feel how a person would begin to shut down? Then, imagine writing right up to the last phrase. What feelings does that garner, in contrast with the first?
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you thought about how long you might live? What do you imagine your last decade might look like? What do you want? Does realizing you may live longer than you thought change how you approach life?
