By Sue Ronnenkamp

Change is the most powerful law of nature. – E. Burke

Whether it’s January 1 or the day after another birthday, I think it’s important to reassess our lives on a regular basis. No matter your age, taking stock at least once a year and planning ahead for the future are worth doing. Why? Because there is one thing constant in this world and that is change. Not only will changes continue to come into our lives, but we also change as we age. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Your personal belongings. Review all of your belongings from the items in your kitchen cabinet to the clothes in your closet. My rule of thumb: if I haven’t used or worn it in the past two years, it’s time to let it go. Items with high sentimental value are exempt from this rule as long as you don’t include everything in this category. Ask yourself if each of these things still has a useful purpose in your life. If not, think about passing the item on to someone who can use it. If you have items that are still in good condition, consider “recycling” your unwanted furniture, clothing and house wares at consignment stores such as The Clothes Closet, located at 1938 N. First St. #4 in Grand Junction. The Clothes Closet pays cash for quality consignments and someone else may find your discarded items useful. “We consign furniture, home décor, shoes, clothing and collectibles,” Owner Sue Bowen said. “If you need to make room for the new stuff, don’t throw it away, consign it.”
2. Other parts of your life. Take a look at the nonmaterial parts as well: your activities, your relationships, your responsibilities, and anything else that is filling up space in your life. Are there things you are holding on to for the wrong reasons? Is anything holding you back from living your life fully? If you didn’t have to care for it, pay for it, carry it around, service it, or spend time doing it, would you have more freedom and time to do and be what you really want right now? If you find anything that feels ready to be released, let it go. Remember, just because something once met your needs, or served you well, doesn’t mean it has to be a part of your life forever. Plus, every time you free yourself from the “been there, done that” stuff, you open up space for the new to come in. This includes interests, relationships and even new directions.
3. Your time. Take stock of how you’re spending your time, and give serious thought to where you want to put your focus going forward. Maybe you’d like to learn Spanish, take piano lessons, start an exercise or strength training program, volunteer for a cause you care about, or create a legacy for your family. Bottom line, how do you want to use your time and energy in the coming year? “Studies show only 12 percent of resolution makers are successful,” Retired Senior Volunteer Program Volunteer Manager Ruth McCrea said. “It's not easy living up to some of the more popular resolutions. Consider adding one resolution you can stick with: volunteer.” McCrea suggested setting goals with a personal meaning and making it public, asking for support from friends. By volunteering, you can learn something new and make friends in the process of making a difference.
4. Senior friendly/User friendly home assessment. If you’re an older adult, I suggest that you check your home once a year (at least) for any needed modifications or changes. As you age, changes to your living environment may be required to keep you functioning as fully as possible. Also ask yourself if your home still works for you and your current lifestyle. Different spaces do fit different phases of life. Here are some examples to get you started: Is the interior lighting sufficient? Are support bars needed in the bathroom? Would closed captioning on your TV help with a hearing problem? Basically, check for anything that’s a problem or issue for you, and then look for a possible solution that might help. With the growing aging population, more tools and assistance devices are being developed to help older adults stay independent and active. The Tile Meister, located at 611 First St., specializes in professional tile installation, home modifications and remodels. Co-owner Cheryl DiDonato said individuals, especially seniors, should always consider safety. No matter how old you are, she recommends installing grab bars in the bathroom because they are one of the simplest and inexpensive safety items, and are easy to install. “We have modern grab bars so it doesn’t look like someone is handicapped when people see their restrooms,” DiDonato said. Her husband, Randy, is the only certified aging-in-place specialist in Grand Junction and is dedicated to keeping seniors living comfortably in their home for as long as possible. “Remodeling your bathroom could save you money on hospital and nursing facilities later on,” DiDonato said.
5. Your personal records. Next up, assess and get your personal records in order. This one is important because should anything happen to you in the coming year, those left behind will need to have access to your important papers—trusts, wills, insurance policies, bank books, car titles, income tax returns, marriage certificates and so on. Too often a person dies and this information is not easy to locate. This puts an additional burden on the loved ones who are trying to deal with their grief, along with bearing the responsibility for personal and financial affairs. Sandy Johnson, a certified pre-need consultant at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory, located at 2515 Patterson Road in Grand Junction, recommended gathering all of this information in one place and making it accessible. Some people gather this information into folders and then distribute it to their children, so each has it all in one place. If you’ve already done this, then the big job is behind you. Johnson recommends reviewing this information on an annual basis to see if any updates or changes are needed. “Plans are made to be changed,” Johnson said. “Just because you have a plan, it doesn’t mean that it has to be set in stone. As your life changes, you’re going to have to change your plans.”
6. End-of-life issues. This is also a good time to review your will, durable power of attorney for health care and financial matters, living will and other related end-of-life documents. I fully realize that contemplating your death isn’t easy to face. But depressing and scary as it can be, the repercussions of not planning and thinking ahead to the end of your life can be enormous. Doing this work allows you to consider your options, make informed decisions and communicate your wishes to those close to you. Callahan-Edfast has a number of informative documents and checklists to help you prepare for end-of-life issues such as an individual estate record, which asks for a list of people to notify including family, friends, executor of the estate, attorneys and accountants. It also asks for funeral arrangement preferences, personal history, wills and probate information, assets and liabilities, social security, veterans benefits and more. “Some people take months to answer these questions,” Johnson said. “They are tough questions, but it’s important because, for me, it’s about me and my family.” Consulting with an attorney is recommended. The attorneys at Brown & Brown, P.C. specialize in elder law; estate, trust and tax planning and more. Taking this step shows respect and consideration on your part for your family members and friends, and can leave you with a feeling of completeness and peace.
7. Remaining regrets and unrealized dreams. There is an added benefit to thinking about end-of-life issues. It gives you an opportunity to identify any regrets you may have about your life while you still have time to release or correct them. Don’t forget about all the small steps you can take: forgiving and asking for forgiveness, thanking people, expressing your love to family and friends, and saying good-bye with each parting—all things that can count big time for those on the receiving end. Also, think about creating a “Bucket List” (all the things you want to do before you kick the bucket) so you can fulfill your remaining dreams and wishes either directly or vicariously through someone else’s experience. Don’t consider anything off limits. Go for the gold and dare to make these dreams come true. Doing an annual life assessment not only gives you a chance to set your house in order and plan for the inevitable, it allows you to keep your life fresh as you continue to open up to new opportunities and possibilities. Do this now and then schedule your own ritual for revisiting these issues once a year. Use this exercise as a reminder to live your precious life as fully and completely as possible.