Recently I came across this article about longevity and how it is challenging some of us to reimagine our later years. By “us”, I’m referring to my fellow Gen Xers and younger baby boomers in particular. Not surprisingly, it’s this cohort that is carrying the most stress and burden from increased longevity. And I don’t see that this is going to change anytime soon.
We are the sandwich generation, and this is one fully loaded sandwich. Layers typically include preparing to send kids to college or on their own, traveling across the state for their sports and events, moving mom to memory care, checking on dad’s meds, leading professionally in an ever-changing environment, and oh yeah, deciding what to make for dinner.
The words “Calgon, take me away!” come to mind, but the reality is that no bath bomb on the market will dissolve our demands. Here’s what I do know:
You must care for yourself
Financial experts tell you to “pay yourself first,” flight attendants tell you to put your mask on before assisting others. The same principle applies to your general wellbeing: you put yourself at risk and are of no help to others if you don’t take care of yourself. Whether it’s improving your sleep, getting outside, decreasing your sugar intake or making time to see your friends and family, find a way, however small, to start taking better care of yourself.
Focus on the few
There’s no shortage of financial advice or viral “hacks.” But the sheer volume of information can lead us into a state of overwhelm. When it comes to your money, stay focused on the few and important things such as contributing to your retirement plan, diversifying your asset allocation, and taking a long-term view.
Enlist help
Gen X is known to be fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean you need to do everything on your own. Talk to your advisors for starters. We can share resources and contacts, from Medicare planning to care management and health care concierges to professional organizers.
When you direct your focus towards things you can control, you tend to feel more confident and less stressed. If you’re feeling stressed, let’s talk or get lunch—preferably not sandwiches.
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