Too young to be old, too old to be young — how our in-between generation is finding its second act

We were born in that narrow slice of time after the Boomers but before Generation X. We grew up with rotary phones, Saturday night music shows, and milk delivered to the doorstep — yet we’re fluent in smartphones, streaming, and social media.

We’re the generation that has lived in two worlds — one analog, one digital — and we’ve adapted to every shift along the way. Now, in our 60s, we’re facing the biggest shift of all: how to live well in a stage of life that our parents never modelled for us.

Because here’s the truth. We’re too young to be “old.” But we’re also too old to pretend we’re still 40. So what does this in-between generation do next?

The missing roadmap

Our parents’ generation had a script: you worked, you retired, you slowed down. The idea was to reach 65, hang up your hat, and fade gracefully into leisure. But we know instinctively that this model doesn’t fit anymore.

We’re healthier, better educated, and living far longer. Yet many of us reach this so-called “retirement age” and feel quietly unprepared. We have time and experience — but no clear plan for what to do with them.

Some people feel restless, others feel lost. I’ve spoken to many who describe it as “a strange pause” — a gap between what was and what’s next.

When I stepped away from full-time work, I experienced that same unease. For the first few months, the freedom felt intoxicating. Then came the questions. Without the structure of my career, who was I? Where did I fit? What was I working toward now?

That period taught me something vital: our second act isn’t about rest — it’s about renewal.

And to renew ourselves, we need both reflection and design. That’s the message behind my free guide, A Guide to Thriving in Retirement, which helps people reimagine this next stage as a creative reinvention rather than an ending.

Why we feel unanchored (and what the brain has to do with it)

Neuroscience helps explain why transitions like this can feel so unsettling.

When we’ve spent decades driven by deadlines, goals, and external validation, our brains become wired for achievement. The dopamine reward system fires each time we tick off a task or meet a target. Then, suddenly, retirement or semi-retirement pulls the plug on that source of stimulation.

Without those hits of purpose and progress, the brain’s motivation circuits quieten — leaving us feeling adrift or unmotivated.

But here’s the hopeful side: neuroplasticity means the brain is capable of renewal at any age. When we introduce novelty — learning, connection, challenge — we reignite those same pathways. That’s why many people in their 60s find a new spark when they take up painting, volunteering, mentoring, or launching a side business.

Your brain loves novelty. It thrives on growth. And that means this “in-between” stage isn’t a decline — it’s an opportunity to rewire for a new kind of purpose.

The stories we grew up with don’t serve us anymore

For years, society sold us a narrow version of success: status, productivity, and accumulation. But the longer we live, the clearer it becomes that those measures don’t define a fulfilling life.

We’re part of the first generation to question not just how long we’ll live, but how well. That means shifting from a mindset of achievement to one of alignment — asking what truly matters now, and how our days can reflect that.

For some, that means continuing to work but on their own terms. For others, it’s about rediscovering creativity, adventure, or contribution in new ways.

A former colleague of mine left a senior management role and began tutoring migrants in English. Another friend started mentoring early-career teachers online. Both say they feel more purposeful now than they did at the height of their careers.

They didn’t “retire.” They redesigned.

Five ways our generation is creating its second act

1. We’re redefining productivity.
   For decades, busyness was a badge of honour. Now, we’re discovering the satisfaction of slower, more deliberate days. The neuroscience of rest shows that when the brain has downtime, creativity and problem-solving actually improve.
2. We’re rediscovering learning.
   Whether it’s learning a new language, gardening, or using AI tools, every skill strengthens neural networks and boosts confidence. Novelty literally keeps our brains young.
3. We’re choosing contribution over competition.
   Studies show that helping others releases oxytocin and serotonin — chemicals linked to happiness and belonging. No wonder mentoring, volunteering, and creative teaching roles feel so rewarding.
4. We’re building connection intentionally.
   The biggest predictor of happiness in later life isn’t wealth or status — it’s relationships. Our generation is rediscovering the power of community: shared meals, walking groups, online learning circles. These simple bonds protect both brain and heart health.
5. We’re designing our days.
   Instead of drifting through “retirement,” we’re becoming life designers — experimenting, reflecting, adjusting. It’s not about one grand plan but about shaping life in small, meaningful ways.

From survival mode to self-directed living

In midlife, so many of us lived on autopilot — managing families, careers, mortgages, and endless responsibilities. But this second act gives us something rare: space to be intentional.

And yet, many people I speak to feel guilty for wanting more than just “being content.” But ambition doesn’t vanish at 60 — it evolves. Now, it’s about self-mastery, contribution, and joy.

The late psychiatrist Viktor Frankl wrote that what we need isn’t a tension-free life but one that’s filled with meaning — a reason to get up each day. Our second act is the perfect time to find that meaning on our own terms.

The neuroscience of thriving later in life

If you want a practical reason to keep learning, connecting, and creating — look to the brain.

• Curiosity releases dopamine, keeping motivation alive.
• Movement boosts oxygen and blood flow, fuelling the hippocampus (the brain’s memory hub).
• Purpose activates the prefrontal cortex, improving focus and emotional regulation.
• And gratitude strengthens neural pathways linked to resilience and calm.

These aren’t just feel-good ideas. They’re survival strategies for long, healthy living.

Modern researchers are even calling this stage the “third life” — a time as important as youth and midlife, but with greater self-awareness and freedom.

That’s why I see retirement not as a finish line but as a creative frontier — a space where curiosity, compassion, and wisdom can finally meet.

It’s time to write a new script

We might be too young to be old, but we’re certainly not too old to grow, to learn, and to begin again.

We’re the generation that bridged the typewriter and the smartphone — surely we can bridge the gap between “retired” and “reinspired.”

So let’s stop seeing this as the end of something. Let’s see it as our next great experiment in living.

Because in the end, thriving in this next chapter isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more of who you already are.

If you’d like to explore that idea further, download my free guide, A Guide to Thriving in Retirement. It’s filled with reflection prompts and science-backed strategies to help you design a meaningful, joyful second act — one that feels entirely your own.