He’s about to be an empty nester. Now, he’s trying boxing and playing darts

At Trivia Night, the questions prove far more challenging than I expect: What are the three largest countries in Asia by land mass after China and Russia? What 1908 children’s classic features characters named Ratty and Badger?

At boxing, the instructor for our beginner’s class assures me that each exercise segment lasts a mere three minutes. Halfway through, I find myself clinging to the heavy bag, as if I am already a punch-drunk fighter.

Why am I doing this? It’s all part of my year of living socially. My wife Beth and I will soon send our only son off to college, and at 63, I will be an empty nester. It’s an age and phase of life that is vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, and my response is to explore new things, meet new people and chronicle my journey.

While the project technically doesn't start until Sept. 2, I am already discovering new things about myself: I’m not nearly as smart as I think I am, and far more out of shape than I should be.

All of this is mere prelude to what I hope will be a life transformation, a year in which I will invest…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/life/