Finding Your Spark Again: How to Stay Motivated After 60

When my best friend Lisa turned sixty, she surprised us all. She had always been the leader of our group, the one who never sat still, the idea generator, the woman who could rally a room with little more than her smile, but for the first time in her life, she admitted she was struggling: “It feels like I’ve lost my drive,” she confessed.

Instead of dreaming up projects, she felt heavy, uninspired, and oddly restless. 

What she was describing was boredom, but not the light kind of boredom we joke about when scrolling through television channels. This was deeper: the unsettling realisation that the goals and duties that once propelled her forward had faded, leaving a wide and quiet space.

Does that sound familiar? You’re not alone. A survey from the American Psychological Association found that 32% of adults over 60 report a dip in motivation after retirement or other major life transitions.

Researchers note that the absence of structure can feel liberating at first, but it can also tip into restlessness, even sadness, when the days lose their rhythm.

Psychologist Dr. Mary Lamia, author of What Motivates Getting Things Done, describes boredom as “not the absence of things to do, but the absence of things that feel meaningful.”

How to Get Your Motivation Back After 60?

In your sixties, motivation no longer comes from external pressure (the deadlines, the family obligations, the relentless multitasking), instead, it begins to pivot inward, toward fulfillment, creativity, and connection.

For my friend, the turning point came when she allowed herself to experiment without expectation. She started taking improv comedy classes at a local theater, a completely new and unexpected experience.

At first, she hesitated, worried about looking silly or forgetting her lines. But soon, she found herself laughing more freely, thinking more creatively on the spot, and feeling energized in a way she hadn’t experienced in years. Later, she also tried urban beekeeping with a community group, fascinated by the delicate ecosystem and the sense of nurturing something so alive and intricate. These unusual pursuits opened new doors of curiosity and joy, reminding her that growth and excitement don’t have an age limit.

Other women I know have discovered the same. Hanna, a retired teacher in York (UK) shares she began mentoring young women online, describing it as “teaching without the paperwork.” Another friend of mine, Julia, took up hiking with a local club and rediscovered both nature and community. A neighbor, instead, enrolled in Italian lessons simply because she had always loved opera. “It feels like I’m waking up parts of myself that went dormant,” she told me.

We can’t deny that movement also plays a crucial role. According to the National Institute on Aging, consistent physical activity, whether daily walking, dancing, or tai chi, improves mood, motivation, and overall quality of life.

One woman I met at a wellness retreat put it best: “When I stopped training for marathons and just walked three miles every morning with friends, I felt free again. It wasn’t about achievement anymore. It was about joy.”

Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Ways

The Stanford Center on Longevity emphasizes that novelty and learning are powerful motivators in later life. Their studies too show that older adults who regularly engage in new activities, whether language classes, creative hobbies, or volunteering, report not only higher levels of motivation but also improved cognitive health.

Annie Coleman, Founder of Realise Longevity and Stanford Center on Longevity Ambassador, encourages all of us to “retiring retirement” and building a purpose portfolio, a collection of intangible assets that create a fulfilling next chapter of life.

“Start by auditing your skills, exploring underused interests, and rebalancing regularly – she says- creating a portfolio that grows alongside your evolving life.”

Like a financial portfolio, it should be diversified, adaptable, and regularly reviewed. It blends three key elements: productive assets, such as the skills and talents that have shaped your working life; vitality assets, including relationships, health, and emotional resilience; and transformation assets, the deeper purpose and impact that give life meaning.

Some examples? Luke, an orthopedic surgeon, returned to sculpting at 65, calling it “trading the scalpel for the chisel.” One woman rediscovered joy and vitality at 68 by joining a dance group, while 90-year-old tech evangelist Masako Wakamiya learned to code after retirement and launched a smartphone gaming app at 81.

Coleman reminds us that it’s not about perfection, but exploration: nurturing talents, relationships, and passions that spark curiosity and purpose. With a portfolio like this, the 60s and 70s become a launchpad for creativity, connection, and lasting fulfillment.

Motivation After 60? The best is yet to come

My best friend Lisa, now describes her sixties as “the decade of choice.” She no longer measures her days by productivity, but by fulfillment. As she put it: “I thought boredom was the end. But it was really the beginning. Once I stopped trying to be who I was before, I found space to become who I am now.”

What we need to realise is that motivation after 60 may not look like it did in our younger years.

It’s less about rushing forward, more about choosing what matters for us now, and as research consistently shows, those who stay engaged, mentally, physically, and socially, are not only more motivated but also healthier and happier in the long run.

As Jo Blackwell, a positive-age advocate and podcaster put it: the secret to staying inspired in your sixties is to feel inspired. But where do we get our motivation from if we’re not inspired?

She explains: “The word inspired comes from in spirit. Whatever your beliefs, it makes sense that we draw energy from something inside us, something beyond flesh and blood. For me – she says- inspiration comes from many sources: walking through a gallery, listening to podcasts, discovering new music, spending time in nature, and even observing children and animals. These experiences remind us of wonder, curiosity, and joy, which are essential for motivation in this decade of life. Finding what fills you up. Whether it’s art, books, music, or learning something new is the key to keeping your spirit alive and your drive moving forward.”

Mary Oliver once asked in her timeless poem: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” In our sixties, that question carries even more weight but also more freedom. The answer can be as bold as launching a business or as simple as learning to paint. What matters most is that it moves you.

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