Nowadays, WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms are flooded with content related to old age and retirement—especially about how people should spend their lives after retirement.
A few days ago, I came across one such post that immediately caught my attention. The post described four phases of life which, according to the writer, represent the gradual stages of life’s winding down.
The author had explained these four phases in a very thoughtful and beautiful manner. According to the post, these four stages begin when a person crosses:
- 60 years of age
- 70 years of age
- 80 years of age
- and finally 90 years of age
The First Stage — After Sixty
The author writes that when a person retires around the age of sixty, they must gracefully accept this new phase of life.
One should not continue clinging to thoughts such as:
- I held such an important position in the office, or
- I had so much authority and influence.
According to the author, unless we let go of this sense of superiority and attachment to past status, life after retirement cannot truly become peaceful.
This is no longer the time to keep reminding ourselves or others about how successful or powerful we once were. Instead, it is a time to embrace simplicity and move forward naturally into the next chapter of life.
The Second Stage — After Seventy
The second phase begins when one crosses seventy.
At this stage, the author says, people gradually begin drifting away from active social life. Old companions become fewer, and even at former workplaces, people may no longer recognize you.
The author’s observation is quite realistic. A younger generation has now taken over those spaces, and naturally they may not know who you once were. Nor is there any need to constantly remind people:
“I once worked here.”
Acceptance, once again, becomes the key to peace.
The Third Stage — After Eighty
As the author describes the third stage, which begins after eighty, the emotional reality becomes even deeper.
At this age, even family interactions may slowly reduce. A person may have children, grandchildren, and a large family, yet most of the time is often spent alone—or, if fortunate, with one’s life partner.
The author gently advises that we should not complain if children are unable to spend much time with us. Instead, whenever they do come, we should encourage them, appreciate their presence, and fully enjoy the moments spent together.
There is wisdom in learning to value moments rather than expectations.
The Final Stage — After Ninety
The last phase begins after ninety years of age.
The author writes that by this stage, one naturally realizes that departure from this world is now approaching. Many people we once knew may already have passed away.
But there is no reason for sorrow in this truth, because this is simply the path of life itself.
Some departed earlier; our turn will come later.
Acceptance of mortality perhaps becomes the final form of wisdom.
The Author’s Beautiful Message
The post concludes with some very beautiful suggestions.
As long as we are alive and capable, we should live life fully and joyfully.
The author suggests that we should not unnecessarily deny ourselves small pleasures in food or lifestyle. We should do the things we genuinely enjoy.
And then comes perhaps the most touching line in the entire post:
“One thing that certainly will not let you feel completely alone is your WhatsApp group.”
Therefore, the author says:
Remain active in your groups. Talk to people. Say “Namaste.” Keep your presence alive. Stay cheerful and carry no regrets.
I do not know who the original author was, but I truly felt this message was worth sharing among people of our own generation.
Author
The author is the founder of the Never Say Retire mission. In order to achieve this goal, he also runs this website and his Facebook group Never Say Retire Forum has Hundreds and Thousands of members today.
