It's Never Too Late to Begin Again by Julia Cameron

We baby boomers are reaching retirement age in droves. Some might say, “Now what?”

Cameron has written this insightful book specifically for those in such a transition. Her belief is that each of us has something unique to contribute to the world. We now have the time and experience we didn't have in our career building years to discover a new way to relate to the world.

Those familiar with Cameron's work will recognize the Morning Pages and Artist Dates she suggests. New for we retirees are twice weekly solo walks and exercises for writing our Memoir. These activities help give us a structure for our life, something we recently had but now lack. They also stir up our creative juices.

I really like this book. Cameron has arranged it as a twelve week course. It is perfect for thinking through past dreams or aspirations and seeing if those ideas may be brought back to life. I love how she addresses the censor we all have. (“You're too old.” “You don't know how.”) She helps us establish a new routine and new relationships. We are asked to do some honest reflection on our life. She helps us deal with perfectionism and self-doubt. She has suggestions as to how we can bring joy and humor into our life. She even helps those of us who are experiencing pain, helping us redirect that pain to good energy. Cameron has included many inspiring stories, encouraging us to realize that there is a whole new and exciting life to live as we reach our senior years.

This book is a tool to change your life. Perhaps there is a lost passion or hobby you want to revisit. Perhaps you regret the career choice you made. “It's never too late to be a beginner,” Cameron writes. There are new classes to take, skills to learn, sights to see. Referring to Robert Frost's two roads that diverged, Cameron writes, “The beauty of retirement is that it provides us with the opportunity to travel back in time and explore the paths we didn't take.”

I highly recommend this book. If you're like me, you'll discover many ideas for filling up your retirement days.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Julia Cameron is the author of more than forty books, including bestselling books on creativity, such as The Artist's Way. Cameron has recently relocated to the southwest in her own retirement years.

Tarcher Perigree, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.