Kelly of the Eight Thousand Days

I have always been fascinated by the life of Anne Boleyn, whose marriage to King Henry VIII and tragic death were portrayed in the 1969 film Anne of the Thousand Days. There are very few similarities between Anne’s life and mine, perhaps only that she intentionally took measures to prepare for her next and final chapter on this earth, and she also had no control over her destiny. Borrowing more from the movie title and little from her actual life, I reflect on preparing for the 8,000-day season of life that I am living. 

Why 8,000 days?

Joseph Coughlin, PhD, is Founder and Director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) AgeLab, where he studies longevity, aging, and how people can live better as they grow older. Coughlin suggests that longevity is not merely a medical disease problem to mitigate and manage. And retirement is more than just financial planning. Rather, he suggests every life stage is a life-design opportunity. In his 8,000-day framework, he outlines that the average human lifespan consists of essentially four quarters, each approximately 8,000 Days:

• 0-21 yrs - Youth 

• 21-46 yrs- Young Adulthood

• 46-65 yrs - Mature Adulthood 

• 65-85+ yrs - Retirement & Senior Living 

Designing Your Next 8,000 Days

This framework is useful when examining your longevity. Every 8,000 days is an entire life stage that can be prepared for and designed. And what is truly exciting is that each stage is long enough to allow for multiple chapters, transitions, reinventions, relationships, adventures, and contributions. 

I have found these 8 fundamental questions useful when examining and designing for my present and future 8000 days:

❤️ Purpose

What gives me a reason to get up in the morning?

👭 Relationships

Who do I want to spend more time with and who would I like to meet and get to know more?

💪 Physical vitality

What do I want my body to be capable of doing now and in the future?

🧠 Learning

What would I love to learn simply because I’m curious?

🌎 Adventure

Where do I still want to go and what do I want to experience?

🙏 Faith & Meaning

What gives my life deeper meaning? And what are the little things that bring me joy?

🤝 Contribution

Who can benefit from what I’ve learned?

🏡 Environment

Does where I live support the life I want, and do I experience community?

Longevity Is About More Than Living Longer

Longevity is more than having good genetics, access to great medical care, and living a long life. Longevity is about living a long life and enjoying the life you are living. The possibilities for living well have never been more exciting, no matter what life stage you are in! There are so many opportunities and chapters ahead, and paying attention to the little things that bring you joy really does matter. 

Remember, life is not what happens to you; it is what happens for you with real intention and a little preparation. Starting this September, let’s be intentional, prepare, and see where this next chapter takes us. By your side and wishing you…

Well ❤️

Kelly

Up Next

Here are a few more posts we think you’ll love: