Learning All My Life -by Lynn Kloss
One of the things that retirement has taught me is that I have a love of learning. When I retired ten years ago, I realized that I wasn’t ready to stop engaging in intellectual activity. I missed the daily challenges and interactions that my work afforded me. I bought a book about life after retirement and how to find my passion. It turned out that what I really wanted was to always be learning. I had completed two years of college forty-five years earlier and wandered into a career in employee benefits. It was a good career - I enjoyed it and did well, but my first area of interest was psychology. I contacted my former college, asked for transcripts (it turns out they actually keep them for this long!), and applied to attend college and finish my bachelor’s degree. I enjoyed it so much that I went on to get my master’s in psychology – graduating the same year as one grandchild from college and one from high school.
I realized that everything in life is an opportunity for learning. Transcendentalist Vernon Howard said, “Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn, and you will.” Being open and curious is a good practice at any age, but especially important for older adults. It exercises our brain, enhances our mood, and helps build connections with others.
Fortunately, learning opportunities are abundant. It isn’t necessary to go back to school – although Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Colorado State University is an excellent way for older adults to engage in many topics for continued learning. There are also opportunities to learn about the community from offerings like Cityworks 101 in the City of Fort Collins. Larimer County offers a similar program, and many political and civic organizations do as well. If you are new to the community (within the past couple of years), Newcomers organization is inexpensive and a great way to learn about other newcomers and the community as well as the surrounding areas through many different types of events. The Aspen Club is a UCHealth organization that offers classes for seniors to support their health and wellbeing. The Senior Center in Fort Collins also offers many classes and activities. Another way to learn about yourself and others is through volunteering. There are so many local opportunities for volunteers and so many worthy causes that need help. Sometimes we have to try something to know if it is right for us, and that’s okay. So much better to learn what works for you than to deny yourself the opportunity to learn.
Beyond a class or volunteer experience, what can we learn from each other? Connecting with others and asking them about their story can become a rich exchange of information in which we can learn from and support each other. One thing that seniors are rarely short of is life experience. Understanding how others have navigated their life challenges not only gives us insight into them, it can broaden our understanding of ourselves.
Open your life to learning in every experience you have. You will be amazed at the outcome.
Links to organizations mentioned in this article:
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: https://osher.colostate.edu
City of Fort Collins: https://www.fortcollins.gov/Activities/Sign-Up-for-Classes-and-Events
Larimer County: https://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/education
Newcomers Club: https://fcnewcomers.org
Aspen Club: https://www.uchealthnocofoundation.org/aspen-club/
Senior Center: https://www.fortcollins.gov/Venues/Fort-Collins-Senior-Center
Lynn Kloss retired from a career in employee benefit consulting in 2016. She went back to school after retirement to get her Masters in psychology, with an emphasis on geropsychology. She has volunteered with seniors and dementia patients since retiring. She and her husband moved to Fort Collins in 2023. They love the weather and friendly people of Fort Collins. Lynn currently volunteers at the Aspen Club and the Museum of Discover.
