I don’t have to tell you what is hard about aging. You already know that. But here are a dozen benefits that accompany aging—really! 

1. Puzzles. 

Starting my day with Wordle, Connections, the Mini Crossword, Strands—or the BEACON’s crossword and sudoku—are fun brainpower challenges I wouldn’t have taken time for earlier in life, even if cell phones had been available. 

2. Savoring coffee. 

In the throes of heavy-duty working and parenting, there were days I’d just bolt coffee down for the caffeine. Now I enjoy the warmth, leisurely sips and better coffee (thanks, Keurig). 

3. Family. 

My siblings and I have rarely lived in the same state as adults—and when I was busy raising children, they were too. Long stretches went by between phone calls and visits. Now they’re just a spontaneous phone call or text away, and hearing from them makes my day!

4. Travel is easier. 

Plane fares are more affordable when you’re not taking the whole crew. I’m not restricted to trips during school breaks or exclusively kid-friendly destinations. One reader told me she uses the BEACON’s travel articles to plan her trips. I wonder if she’ll go to the British Virgin Islands.

5. Peace. 

I wish I could get back all the time I wasted worrying about things that didn’t matter. These days, I focus on what does: relationships matter. Doing the right thing matters.

6. Accumulated knowledge. 

Stockpiling useful information simplifies life, from car maintenance to household hints to finances.

7. Less parenting. 

The hard work of parenting is done: extra laundry and cooking, chauffeuring, finding shoes and bus passes, wrangling kids into car seats, vaccinations and “homework for grownups,” as a friend calls it (when kids need homework help). A bonus: befriending your adult kids. 

8. More grandparenting. 

These whimsical little people make you laugh with their delightfully unfiltered thoughts and surprising questions—and they give the best hugs ever!

Check out these articles from the BEACON on grandparenting.

9. More sleep. 

I often operated at a sleep deficit during life’s busiest years. The importance of sleep for overall health is touted more than ever. Now I prioritize it. 

10. Discounts. 

The first time I used a senior discount was when I was thrifting with a friend and the clerk told us about their discount for those aged 50 and up. We were both just over 50, and we were delighted!

11. Off-peak times. 

Why go to the grocery store at 5 p.m. when everyone is just getting off work? You might as well shop when you have the aisles to yourself.

12. New experiences/hobbies 

I want to pick up a paintbrush again. And I was on my first podcast recently, where I talked about the BEACON in Colorado Springs!  

What do you love about being a senior? Let us know!