Still thinking about how I would go about defining my 2X20. :) But for this next season in my life, I'm choosing to go more with the flow and more surrendering. Open to exploring while also letting life come to me. Similar to the Daoists' concept of WuWei (effortless action) and Zen Buddhism's art of letting things go.
Smack in the middle of peri-menopause and this has been a question I've been sitting with for months. I feel a season coming to a close and I sense possibility in the air. I would like to claim and cultivate Ease. Prosperity. Regenerative.
Greetings Jonathan! This topic has been in the center of my group of friends...we are 10 years ahead (68)...LOL! And we're also not talking about stopping, but are adopting 'pretirement'...truly intentional about how we show up. My transition over the last decade (the pandemic sharpened my perspective) has shifted from mile-wide/inch-deep to inch-wide/mile deep! The words that emerged for me surround how I'm showing up in the world: BEing... Joyful & Generous & the Difference! Thanks for BEing all three in your Work!
Hey, B! I'm with you!! 10 years ahead! It's true, the last ten years have been a prep for me in terms of zeroing in on what nurtures my own three buckets. There is lots of room still in those buckets and Jonathan's podcast on this topic clarified a lot.
Good timing for me as I turned 68 a month ago. I got a little weepy when I thought 2x20 would take me to 90. There’s an inclination to panic. So, in order not to panic, I am going to take a little time over this next week to ponder your structure.
Totally get that feeling. Part of me loves the structure of the 2x20, the other part defaults to "we plan, God laughs!" In a fun way, I feel like this structure actually leads to decisions that let me be more present in the now, regardless of what actually unfolds over the next 20. Hope that helps!
Oh the paradox of that! And truly, “We plan, God laughs”. Thanks for being you and all your brilliant contributions to our community which of course is also about vitality (as you can tell, I have been listening to the podcast about this).
Exploration, play, and connection are my three. (First draft :)). Loving this idea, thank you, Jonathan. Looking forward to listening to the podcast episode.
Just turned 70 but know there just might be 20 years ahead. And it's why I started writing online. Because connection, contribution, and creativity matter a lot to me. So am helping others share their voices.
Look forward to your insights in the podcast. The three simpler guiding words for me for now anyway are love, flow, and joy.
For me it’s simplicity, flow & meaning. I just listened to your 2x20 podcast episode & it hit me right in the heart for where I’m currently at in life. I just turned 50 years old this year & have been trying my own version of a 2x20 over the last 12 month, with very little progress. I was a practicing attorney for 20 years and just decided to give it up a year ago because I was basically sleep walking through life. I’m a naturally creative spirit (writing/music/designing ideas) who prefers simplicity and deep philosophical thought. I’m still trying to figure out how I can contribute to the world, but I feel like I’m still in the middle of trying to find some direction. I want to stop thinking and begin taking action. I’m starting that mindset by posting this comment here, and following along with your monthly updates as inspiration to keep going. I feel like I have something great to offer the world, but just don’t know what that is yet. Truly thankful for your offerings and all you share with the world because it does reach people out there like myself in a significant way!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Frank, and for your kind words. I did a stint as a lawyer in the 90s. At least back then, I wasn't finding a place in the field for me, though I occasionally wonder what might've happened had I applied my creative and entrepreneurial bent to conjuring a different model for the practice. Either way, I still deeply value both the education and the way it taught me to think. Excited to see what unfolds for you.
I also listened to Jonathan's podcast episode on this as I was in my darkroom making a test strip for my first cyanotype. This comes at a great time for me (after an initial panic about the age differences here - I am 68) because as I was "experimenting" I realized I have been prepping for this next two years over the last 10-15, since I retired. My prepping involved noodling around in the visual arts and Jonathan's structure (the four questions) provide wonderful guides. The biggest takeaway is "inaction is not an option". I think what I am trying to say here is how lucky you are to have just entered your 50's. It was a brilliant decade for me, and 60's gets even better...
So SO insightful thank you. I just signed up a few days ago. I am 60, the world and I will be a happier place giving back, now to determine the paths to do so!
Best thought and action you could ever have. Let me know if you need any wisdom or perspective on your 2x20 project. I'm at your destination now--78, so I know a thing or two about what you might experience from there to here. Or do you want me to just "hold my beer"?
Can’t wait to jump into the podcast, but I just want to say, get out of my head! And… it’s no coincidence that this idea is swirling around in the ether, and I just love that I always feel connected to what you’re sharing!
Hey Jonathan, Just listened to your podcast (lots of rewinding as I was taking notes). Your explanation of the two years is a good one, I think, and I intend to listen to it again. If I understand correctly, in your mind it is the optimal time to create a "tension", which would lead to more strategic action. The advice to get out of the spin cycle of your mind is a good one, and most definitely easier said than done. I know for some folks it might be 3 x 30, or 1 x 10, or 2 x 10, and seems that it would be based on individual needs, but have you had discussions with your friends/colleagues/family about two? Can you imagine that for most folks two years is better than one, or three?
Hey Andi - great question. No definitive answer. The small handful of people I've run the 2x20 framework by have immediately resonated with the 2 year experimental window, but that is also likely a biased sample, since most were a similar age and moment in career and life to me. I think I'm also of an age where I'm good with a more expansive 2-year window, whereas for some folks that might seem interminable. For me, I've done and built enough things, tried and failed enough times to feel like an exploration of this depth needs time to unfold, but that time also benefits from some level of reasonable bounding. My sense is it's more of a "your mileage may vary" thing. Hope that helps.
Have had three ideas in my head for several years. Your “2x20” concept is very helpful in continuing to turn them in to action. Seek your place. Strengthen your love. Open your heart.
This definitely piques my interest, Jonathan. I feel as if this entire year has been a liminal space - in some ways good for curiosity and introspection, but also not awesome in that I've been plagued by a couple of significant injuries that have really slowed me down and made me think about my age and vulnerabilty in quite uncomfortable ways. I'm also quite behind on old age savings (I don't ever think about "retiring" either) so like it or not money does become a sub-motivator as I ponder my next 20 years (I'm 51). Thanks for stirring this up and sharing your explorations!
You're not alone in being in a liminal space that is not all bunny rabbits and candy canes. All the things, all the feels, sometimes all the time. My take is, there's a benefit to fold it all in, and see what bubbles up. As I shared, comes a time when the illusion of compartmentalization, that can serve some very real purposes along the way, necessary falls away and leaves us to own the fact of integration, it's all a part of one big life stew. What we make of that is when and where the journey really begins.
Is it a crazy weird coincidence that the day I finally published my first newsletter with the mindset of "I just have to try things and see what happens" that I listened to your podcast about experimenting with things now to create what you want in the future?!? This really hit home with me, thank you so much for sharing it with us all. I'm still working on my three words but I'm thinking freedom, connection, and meaning. I'm 42 but have been struggling with my life's direction for the last 12 years so would really love to make some progress on it soon!
I appreciate the 2x20 framework, Jonathan! I think that having the lead up years to prepare for my next phase is crucial to seeing that growth come to fruition. I started making some significant life changes about a year ago at 48, knowing that 50 will be here in a flash. I can tell already that my three words will be advocacy, creativity, and love. I can't wait to see how it all will unfold in 2025 and beyond!
Still thinking about how I would go about defining my 2X20. :) But for this next season in my life, I'm choosing to go more with the flow and more surrendering. Open to exploring while also letting life come to me. Similar to the Daoists' concept of WuWei (effortless action) and Zen Buddhism's art of letting things go.
Love that. Surrender is a beautiful exploration to drop into.
Smack in the middle of peri-menopause and this has been a question I've been sitting with for months. I feel a season coming to a close and I sense possibility in the air. I would like to claim and cultivate Ease. Prosperity. Regenerative.
Love those words.
Greetings Jonathan! This topic has been in the center of my group of friends...we are 10 years ahead (68)...LOL! And we're also not talking about stopping, but are adopting 'pretirement'...truly intentional about how we show up. My transition over the last decade (the pandemic sharpened my perspective) has shifted from mile-wide/inch-deep to inch-wide/mile deep! The words that emerged for me surround how I'm showing up in the world: BEing... Joyful & Generous & the Difference! Thanks for BEing all three in your Work!
Hey B - love the notion of "pretirement," and the shift to inch-wide/mile deep. Inspired!
Hey, B! I'm with you!! 10 years ahead! It's true, the last ten years have been a prep for me in terms of zeroing in on what nurtures my own three buckets. There is lots of room still in those buckets and Jonathan's podcast on this topic clarified a lot.
Right, Andi?!!!! BE well dear one and continue to pour into your buckets!
Good timing for me as I turned 68 a month ago. I got a little weepy when I thought 2x20 would take me to 90. There’s an inclination to panic. So, in order not to panic, I am going to take a little time over this next week to ponder your structure.
Totally get that feeling. Part of me loves the structure of the 2x20, the other part defaults to "we plan, God laughs!" In a fun way, I feel like this structure actually leads to decisions that let me be more present in the now, regardless of what actually unfolds over the next 20. Hope that helps!
Oh the paradox of that! And truly, “We plan, God laughs”. Thanks for being you and all your brilliant contributions to our community which of course is also about vitality (as you can tell, I have been listening to the podcast about this).
Exploration, play, and connection are my three. (First draft :)). Loving this idea, thank you, Jonathan. Looking forward to listening to the podcast episode.
Great words, Karen!
Thanks! and am sharing your ideas, with thanks.
Just turned 70 but know there just might be 20 years ahead. And it's why I started writing online. Because connection, contribution, and creativity matter a lot to me. So am helping others share their voices.
Look forward to your insights in the podcast. The three simpler guiding words for me for now anyway are love, flow, and joy.
Love those guiding words, Jeanette. As well as connection, contribution, and creativity.
For me it’s simplicity, flow & meaning. I just listened to your 2x20 podcast episode & it hit me right in the heart for where I’m currently at in life. I just turned 50 years old this year & have been trying my own version of a 2x20 over the last 12 month, with very little progress. I was a practicing attorney for 20 years and just decided to give it up a year ago because I was basically sleep walking through life. I’m a naturally creative spirit (writing/music/designing ideas) who prefers simplicity and deep philosophical thought. I’m still trying to figure out how I can contribute to the world, but I feel like I’m still in the middle of trying to find some direction. I want to stop thinking and begin taking action. I’m starting that mindset by posting this comment here, and following along with your monthly updates as inspiration to keep going. I feel like I have something great to offer the world, but just don’t know what that is yet. Truly thankful for your offerings and all you share with the world because it does reach people out there like myself in a significant way!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Frank, and for your kind words. I did a stint as a lawyer in the 90s. At least back then, I wasn't finding a place in the field for me, though I occasionally wonder what might've happened had I applied my creative and entrepreneurial bent to conjuring a different model for the practice. Either way, I still deeply value both the education and the way it taught me to think. Excited to see what unfolds for you.
Thanks for this insight! In a way, it helped me to at least find a way to place value on my legal education & experience!
I also listened to Jonathan's podcast episode on this as I was in my darkroom making a test strip for my first cyanotype. This comes at a great time for me (after an initial panic about the age differences here - I am 68) because as I was "experimenting" I realized I have been prepping for this next two years over the last 10-15, since I retired. My prepping involved noodling around in the visual arts and Jonathan's structure (the four questions) provide wonderful guides. The biggest takeaway is "inaction is not an option". I think what I am trying to say here is how lucky you are to have just entered your 50's. It was a brilliant decade for me, and 60's gets even better...
Thanks for that takeaway - sometimes I have to remind myself that it's a good thing that I am waking up at 50 then never taking any action at all:)
So SO insightful thank you. I just signed up a few days ago. I am 60, the world and I will be a happier place giving back, now to determine the paths to do so!
Wonderful to be connected, Suzan. Looking forward to hearing about the paths you explore!
Can’t wait to listen this week. Joy, meaning and flow.
Love those words, Emily! So similar to mine, especially in their essence.
For sure. ❤️
Best thought and action you could ever have. Let me know if you need any wisdom or perspective on your 2x20 project. I'm at your destination now--78, so I know a thing or two about what you might experience from there to here. Or do you want me to just "hold my beer"?
Thanks, Georgia! I may well check back in for some "advance wisdom" down the road. :-)
Can’t wait to jump into the podcast, but I just want to say, get out of my head! And… it’s no coincidence that this idea is swirling around in the ether, and I just love that I always feel connected to what you’re sharing!
lol! how many years have we been doing this dance at a distance? Hope you're good!
Feels like for as long as we have known each other! I am good! It’s nice to see you writing again! Send my love to Stephanie!
Hey Jonathan, Just listened to your podcast (lots of rewinding as I was taking notes). Your explanation of the two years is a good one, I think, and I intend to listen to it again. If I understand correctly, in your mind it is the optimal time to create a "tension", which would lead to more strategic action. The advice to get out of the spin cycle of your mind is a good one, and most definitely easier said than done. I know for some folks it might be 3 x 30, or 1 x 10, or 2 x 10, and seems that it would be based on individual needs, but have you had discussions with your friends/colleagues/family about two? Can you imagine that for most folks two years is better than one, or three?
Hey Andi - great question. No definitive answer. The small handful of people I've run the 2x20 framework by have immediately resonated with the 2 year experimental window, but that is also likely a biased sample, since most were a similar age and moment in career and life to me. I think I'm also of an age where I'm good with a more expansive 2-year window, whereas for some folks that might seem interminable. For me, I've done and built enough things, tried and failed enough times to feel like an exploration of this depth needs time to unfold, but that time also benefits from some level of reasonable bounding. My sense is it's more of a "your mileage may vary" thing. Hope that helps.
Have had three ideas in my head for several years. Your “2x20” concept is very helpful in continuing to turn them in to action. Seek your place. Strengthen your love. Open your heart.
So glad the 2x20 concept has been helpful, Louie.
This definitely piques my interest, Jonathan. I feel as if this entire year has been a liminal space - in some ways good for curiosity and introspection, but also not awesome in that I've been plagued by a couple of significant injuries that have really slowed me down and made me think about my age and vulnerabilty in quite uncomfortable ways. I'm also quite behind on old age savings (I don't ever think about "retiring" either) so like it or not money does become a sub-motivator as I ponder my next 20 years (I'm 51). Thanks for stirring this up and sharing your explorations!
You're not alone in being in a liminal space that is not all bunny rabbits and candy canes. All the things, all the feels, sometimes all the time. My take is, there's a benefit to fold it all in, and see what bubbles up. As I shared, comes a time when the illusion of compartmentalization, that can serve some very real purposes along the way, necessary falls away and leaves us to own the fact of integration, it's all a part of one big life stew. What we make of that is when and where the journey really begins.
Is it a crazy weird coincidence that the day I finally published my first newsletter with the mindset of "I just have to try things and see what happens" that I listened to your podcast about experimenting with things now to create what you want in the future?!? This really hit home with me, thank you so much for sharing it with us all. I'm still working on my three words but I'm thinking freedom, connection, and meaning. I'm 42 but have been struggling with my life's direction for the last 12 years so would really love to make some progress on it soon!
Love that "coincidence!" So glad this framework resonated.
I appreciate the 2x20 framework, Jonathan! I think that having the lead up years to prepare for my next phase is crucial to seeing that growth come to fruition. I started making some significant life changes about a year ago at 48, knowing that 50 will be here in a flash. I can tell already that my three words will be advocacy, creativity, and love. I can't wait to see how it all will unfold in 2025 and beyond!
Powerful words, Lori. And loving that you've already begun to make meaningful shifts. Here's to what unfolds!