(If you are already or past 84, set the bar 10 years in ther future (94, 104…)
The original activity was designed by Betsy Best Martini, co-author of Long Term Care for Activity Professionals, Social Service Professionals, and Recreational Therapists, 7th Edition (8th edition in process of being published)).
The original activity has four components:
How do you see yourself looking physically?
How do you see yourself feeling emotionally?
What is an average day like for you at 84?
Look back on your life and tell your story as a Life History.
Extend the Original Activity into the Future.
Try doing this activity every 10 years. Compare how your vision of youself changes and remains constant from decade to decade.
Personal Reflections
In my early 60s, when I took Betsy’s Activity Coordinator training, I envisioned myself at 84 with long white hair, drinking healthy green drinks, sitting in my back garden, relaxing, reading or chatting over tea with guests. An average day would include exercise (yoga), eating fresh, organic meals, visiting with my grandchildren, and taking walks in nature with my husband. I sped through my 60s, working more than fulltime in longterm care communities as an Activity Director, then Regional Director, and eventually as a consultant to longterm care communities. I visited with my grandchildren once a week.
Now in my mid-70s, I envision pretty much the same picture when I am 10 years older, but a deeper reflection. As in my 70s, when I am in my 80s, I envision myself making Green Goddess smoothies, taking stretch and strength Zoom classes and other exercise classes throughout each week, walking daily in nature, doing rise and shine exercises in morning in bed, self-massaging, and massaging my husband in the evenings. To find peace at night, we shall continue to listen to symphonic music and take walks in nature together. We shall continue to age together, supporting each other.
My garden will be spectacular. I shall keep expanding my knowledge of health and wellness and continue to share wisdom and learn from others.
I shall continue to offer service and contribute to the local and greater community. Friends will visit me in my garden and I shall nurture and maintain a close relationship with friends and family. I shall continue to have a wide range of emotions, but be more compassionate with myself and others.
I shall continue to interview others and tell my own story in a “Memory Video.”
What is YOUR vision of YOURSELF at 84?
Here are a few ways to get started:
Record your interests and talents by drawing a picture, putting together a collage, adding photos, composing, singing, playing or listening to a song or melody, creating an avitar of other electronic imagery that reflects who you are at 84.
Find a role model with whom you have some commonalities. Identify the attributes you admire about your role model. Interview your role model. Record the interview in an audio or video.
Be interviewed by another person now and when you are 84 or 10 years older than your current age. Record the interview in an audio or video.
Create a “Lifestyle Pop-up” (collage) of how you envision yourself 10 years older than your current age. Convert it into a Zoom backdrop or a picture on your computer screen.
Video Source: Woodstock: Joni Mitchell