Nancy Weinbeck
I turn 60 this month and this milestone birthday has me thinking about my transition to a new season of life. The traditional view of life suggests rhythms that match seasons: youthful ambition, midlife balance, and a slower, more reflective retirement. Not only do I challenge that notion, but I work amongst residents who model examples that shatter expectations. Many of our residents demonstrate that the seasons of life don’t necessarily move from “high energy” to “winding down.” Instead, many people find renewed vigor, purpose, and even ambition later in life, continuing to evolve and surprise even themselves. For some, retirement is not a pause but a reawakening, a chance to step into roles they never had time for before.
Many residents arrive with big plans: some start second careers, others dive into creative projects, and some even take up adventurous pursuits like hiking, learning new languages, or taking on public service roles. This isn’t about trying to "stay young" or resisting the passage of time; it's about recognizing that growth and discovery don’t have an age limit. The rhythm may shift, but the tempo remains vibrant. What’s particularly inspiring is that as people move beyond the midlife season, they often find a deeper sense of self, freed from external expectations they may have felt beholden to in earlier seasons. We see resident endeavors driven by passion and curiosity rather than obligation or status.
These pursuits redefine what we traditionally think of as retirement. The habits our residents cultivate—whether it’s writing, painting/sculpting, embarking on fitness challenges, taking classes in new subjects, and so much more—are as dynamic as any they had in youth, only now informed by the wisdom of years.
Aging doesn’t diminish the need for purpose or lessen the joy of discovery; if anything, it amplifies it. The later years can be as bold and exciting as any other stage, and in some ways, more fulfilling. As people discover new capacities within themselves, they rewrite what it means to grow older. It’s a journey that proves every season of life offers its own possibilities for adventure, reinvention, renewal, and joy. We write our own life scripts. And as one of our residents often shares, later chapters may yield joyful surprises. Okay 60th birthday, bring it on! Here’s to the adventures that lie ahead and the freedom to keep growing and discovering.
Nancy Weinbeck is the CEO of Bayview in Queen Anne.