Ah, January. New year, new you, right? It’s human nature to infuse special meaning into certain transitions, like the start of a calendar year or, say, leveling up into a new decade (ask me how I know). In reality, we can choose any day of the week, month, or year to start something new, whether it’s a daily gratitude practice or learning another language. That said, it’s energizing to enter into a new year with a fresh outlook, bolstered by the wisdom of those who have written about their own self-transformative experiences. Here are a few inspiring reads to get you started:
Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half, opens a new window by Kerry Burnight
In this hope-inspiring read, Dr. Kerry Burnight challenges the traditional "anti-aging" narrative by shifting the focus from mere longevity to "joyspan," a metric defined by the quality of one's well-being and purpose. Drawing on gerontological research and her mother’s lived experience, Burnight outlines four key elements for a better life in later years: being open to new things, having strong connections with others, being able to adjust to the difficulties of aging, and being prepared to contribute one's time, energy, or skills to the community. As someone who personally feels anxiety around aging, I appreciated Dr. Burnight’s helpful tips and cheerful audio narration.
What Matters Most: Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living, opens a new window by Diane Button
Complementing Burnight’s “Joyspan,” death doula Diane Button offers a profound meditation on intentional living by chronicling the final priorities of those at the end of life. Button shares poignant stories of her clients, such as Floyd, who felt connected to his deceased wife through organizing family photos, and Carrie, who reconnected with her estranged children to die with a “clean slate.” Living life intentionally is not a new concept, but Button offers a moving, thought-provoking perspective.
The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect With Yourself in An Overconnected World, opens a new window by Robert J. Coplan
A few years ago, I took a brief solo trip to Virginia Beach, and it was the mental reset my brain needed. Even now, I delight in running mundane errands alone, with nobody to complain when I spend ten minutes sniffing every bodywash on display. I’m not sure this is what Coplan means, but he does emphasize that intentional “me time” actually strengthens our outward empathy and deepens our connections with others. Coplan draws from psychology, neuroscience, and other fields to frame purposeful solitude as an opportunity to recharge, not a time of loneliness or isolation.
Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much, opens a new window by Cynthia Erivo
Acclaimed performer Cynthia Erivo of “Wicked” fame shares a series of personal vignettes that advocate for radical self-acceptance and owning our unique traits. Reflecting on her experience as an actor (and marathon runner), Erivo reminds us that the qualities we are often told to diminish are frequently the exact catalysts for our greatest achievements and growth. It’s never too late, Erivo posits, to build the life you’re seeking.
Here We Go: Lessons for Living Fearlessly From Two Traveling Nanas, opens a new window by Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip
Known as the “TikTok Traveling Grannies,” Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip recount their global budget-travel adventures to illustrate that age should not be a barrier to curiosity or new beginnings. Together, they have traveled to twenty countries since turning 80, without guides and without staying in resorts. Hamby and Hazelip emphasize the power of late-life friendship and the importance of maintaining a fearless, growth-oriented mindset regardless of one's stage in life. Inspiring, indeed!
The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life, opens a new window by Suleika Jaouad
My own experience with journaling has been sporadic at best, but Jaouad sees it as an essential tool for navigating life’s challenges. Journaling, she says, is an “alchemy” that transforms discomfort into clarity, providing a space to process both personal ups and downs as well as the wider upheavals beyond our control. Encouraging and supportive, The Book of Alchemy is a guide that gives readers the tools to begin their own life-changing journaling practices (is this my excuse to buy a new, fancy notebook?).
Your journey to wellness begins at Central Rappahannock Regional Library. From tai chi, opens a new window and yoga, opens a new window to health assessments,, opens a new window caregiver support,, opens a new window Time with a Therapy Dog,, opens a new window and more, there’s an event for everyone, all at no charge. Visit librarypoint.org/events, opens a new window for a full list of offerings.
Tracy McPeck is the Director of Adult Services at Central Rappahannock Regional Library. This column first appeared in the Free Lance-Star newspaper.
