Aging is inevitable. The question is: How will you age? If you’re fortunate enough to lead a long, healthy life, then your later years can be a time of personal growth and growth in your relationships. On the other hand, especially as our Western society continues to put pressure on us to grow up and “manage our lives,” growing old can be an incredibly difficult transition. In order to help you grow gracefully into your later years, here are 11 tips for aging well that anyone can implement no matter how old you are or how much longer you have left before you retire for good.

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Make room for growth

As you grow older, you’re likely to want to make more room in your life for new experiences, new interests, and new ways of connecting with others. However, if you constantly try to keep up with a much younger version of yourself, you’re going to be exhausted and overwhelmed by the pace of change. Instead, take time each day to sit with yourself and make room for the natural process of growth and change. Keep a journal or a list of goals and dreams so that you can see them in print and give yourself permission to let them be bigger than you are right now. When you make room for growth in your life, you’ll be more likely to stay young in spirit and experience the fullness of life.

Communicate with your loved ones

If you’re lucky enough to have family members and close friends who love you, then you’ve already received a gift that will last throughout your whole life: the gift of connection. When you communicate with others on a regular basis, you’re extending that connection and deepening your own sense of well-being. While there are many ways to communicate, the best method is the one that you find most enjoyable. For example, if you enjoy writing letters and emails, try using that method again. If, on the other hand, you most enjoy speaking on the phone, choose that method instead. Whatever method you choose, try to make a regular effort to communicate with at least one person from each of your important relationships.

Find something you love to do

No matter how old you are, if you haven’t found what you love to do yet, you’re never too old to do that thing. What has gotten you out of bed in the morning? What have you been enjoying that you’ve been putting off doing because it was more effort than you wanted to give? If you’re not sure, that’s okay. It’s a sign that you’re not too old to start. When you find something that both challenges you and gives you pleasure, it will become a part of you and enrich your life.