Maija Juurinen, 91: “In retirement, you are allowed to pick the raisins out of the bun!”

Maija Juurinen, one of the active senior participants at Helsingin aikuisopisto, is a retired dentist. Originally from the island of Taivassalo on Lake Päijänne in Jämsä, Maija spent her working life in Joensuu and now enjoys her retirement in Helsinki.

Maija, according to our records, you have taken 28 courses at Helsingin aikuisopisto since 2020. What motivates you to take up hobbies and learn?
I come from modest circumstances, and the only way to get on in life was to be interested in studying and learning. I have kept this attitude throughout my life. My mother’s way of thinking, “Work is fun!”, has also encouraged me to be active and curious about new things. I felt that my work as a dentist did not broaden my general knowledge or interest people in the same way as, for example, being a teacher. Nobody wants to talk about teeth! So I had to gain my general knowledge in other ways.

What makes you register for courses at Helsingin aikuisopisto again and again?
The location of Helsingin aikuisopisto in Etu-Töölö suits me, as I live in Meilahti. We have a good, clear course brochure, and browsing it gets me excited about new things. I have regular courses that I take part in year after year, such as various exercise classes for seniors. We have good, enthusiastic teachers whose classes are a pleasure to attend.

What would you like to say to other older people so that they too stay active and on the move for as long as possible?
I would like to tell all seniors that now there is time in life, and there are all kinds of opportunities. It is worth letting loose and making even crazy ideas happen. I have taken part in courses such as “Facial firming Gua Sha”, “You are wonderful!” and “I want to sing” myself. In retirement, you are allowed to pick the raisins out of the bun!

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