Living Your Legacy: Thrive in the New Year with Era Living

There’s something inspiring about a new year and a fresh start. No matter what your age or stage of life, it can be a great time to reflect and set new goals. As an older adult, the new year can also be a perfect time to focus on your legacy and what’s truly meaningful to you.

We often think of legacy as a gift that you pass to loved ones. However, it can be much more than a tangible asset. Your legacy can also be a positive impact that you make in your family or community through your everyday interactions. And it can start today.

How to Live Your Legacy Every Day

You can live your legacy by pursuing and sharing your passions with those around you. You may love spending time with friends or helping others. Or you may enjoy learning more about art or writing.

No matter what your interests, you can make a lasting difference by sharing your time, wisdom, and life experiences with others. Our Era Living retirement communities provide vibrant environments to form connections, pursue passions, and thrive in the new year.

Why the New Year Is the Perfect Time to Start Living Your Legacy

The new year puts a renewed focus on intentional living and ways you can take charge of your life.

If you could choose to focus on one goal this year, what would it be? Do you want to start exercising or reading more? Or would you like to socialize or learn something new? Your retirement years can be a great time to try things you’ve always wanted to do.

Thrive in a Community that Supports Your Legacy

Era Living’s Seattle retirement communities are centered around a culture of lifelong learning, empowering you to explore new opportunities and connections.

For example, Jeanne, a resident of Aljoya Mercer Island, has made a difference in her community by serving as chairperson of the music fund and discovering a creative side that she didn’t know she had. “The biggest surprise to me was that I have more friends than I had since I was in college,” she said in a podcast describing her resident experience. She and her dog, Joyce, will also leave a lasting legacy in the Aljoya Mercer Island community for their many walks and interactions with fellow residents.

More Legacy in Action: Living with Purpose and Forging New Connections

Connie, a longtime resident of Aljoya Thornton Place, was first inspired to consider retirement community living by attending a downsizing workshop through Era Living. For her and her husband, leaving their family home of almost 50 years was not easy. But they wanted to make their own decisions and enjoy everything their new community had to offer, she explains in an Era Living podcast.

Cheered on by their children, Connie and her husband are an inspiration for purposeful living. Connie has enjoyed serving on her community’s resident council and the library committee. Together, she and her husband have made great friends and appreciated having access to health services as their needs have changed.

Shirley, a resident at The Lakeshore, has also embraced opportunities to make friends and get involved in her community. Staying connected with her family was very important to her when she moved to The Lakeshore, she explains in our resident podcast series. She’s enjoyed regular family visits while also immersing herself in her community. She’s taken pride in serving as an ambassador, welcoming people to The Lakeshore. Fellow residents also know her as “the cookie lady” for her love of baking and sharing goodies with others.

How to Begin Your Journey 

You can take some simple steps today to start pursuing your goals for the new year –

and living your legacy. These may include the following:

• • • Schedule a tour. If you’re considering a move to senior housing, a tour can be a great way to learn more about what retirement living communities are like. Era Living offers three levels of care: senior independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Find out more by requesting a visit to see any of our communities in person.
    • Talk with your family about legacy-focused living. Nobody knows you better than your loved ones. The next time you’re together, consider talking with them about ways to cultivate meaning and joy in your life. This can be enlightening and inspiring for them as well as for you!
    • Set new year’s intentions for thriving in a community environment. If you’ve already made a move to community living, consider ways you can pursue your goals in the new year. If you’re at an Era Living Seattle retirement community, you may want to check out a new class or community event. Writing your goals down may inspire you to stay motivated.

Live Your Legacy Today

Frank Lloyd Wright is famously quoted as saying, “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”

As you begin a new year, now’s the time to embrace your wisdom, explore your passions, and celebrate your connections with others.

If you’re considering independent living for seniors or another senior housing option, we’re here to help you continue the next chapter of your life story. Retirement living communities can provide a welcoming environment to get involved and live your legacy. Take the next step by exploring Era Living communities and imagining the possibilities for the new year.