25 Aug Is Age Just a Number?

I have been doing some contemplating on this matter, as I have a birdie in my ear.

The birdie has the name, “Mom” and I am told nearly every time I see her, that “I am not getting any younger“, “You’re 55 now” really, things that I obviously know about myself. I usually respond with, ” Yes, it is a blessing, ” or ” I’m not dead yet”, but somehow it seems like a futile conversation.

Whatever age you are, do you start to think about this. Age just being a number?  I know that the 55’s of today are not my grandma’s or mother’s 55’s! Women are learning a lot more, educating themselves, taking care of themselves. In addition, I do believe it is a state of mind. You can be 35 and feel 65! I certainly know this with the health conditions I have had. I try and be my own self-advocate, and in each case, have made strides and great gains. I feel pretty decent.

Do you hear this mantra from anyone in your life? “You’re not getting any younger.” and what that is supposed to mean? Yes, everyone gets older!

 “Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
– Betty Friedan

Do you often think, I am ___________ age, I need to now do this, this, this and this?  Do you have a checklist for your life? Or a bucket list that needs completing before you will sit back in your chair with a sigh of relief that you have accomplished what you set out to do?

I am not going to say I don’t think about things I want to do, or that I might be a bit more adventurous now that I am older. Two  years ago  I took up paddleboarding) and this year hoisted a sail. (Both new to me) Part of it was me thinking of things I have yet to do.

When our age dictates in our mind, what we can and cannot do, or can and cannot wear, that is when it may become a problem of perception and mindset. I have worked with adult guitar students who have asked me, ” Am I too old to learn guitar?” I always come back with the same answer, “No. You are never too old to learn anything. ”

Now, the question still remains about a certain someone continuing to remind me that I am getting older. After some thought, if you have a similar experience, it may be because that person is also getting older and may be regretting not doing certain things or being the person, they want to be.

I have felt even more so lately that the increasing numbers of one’s age is not what people fear most, nor is it the wrinkles. I often think it is the independence, (or perhaps lack thereof) the possibility of disease or declining health that frightens people more. So, it is important to “work your brain”, or keep the mind active as we get older as well.

I like to think of Betty White as my mentor! Always active, love of animals, you could see her inner joy and her age did not stop her from doing what she loved. As a muscian, I look at Mick Jagger! 80 years old and still performing and loving what he does. If you don’t get in the mindset of I am too old to do…. it is very freeing.

If you missed my post on what I would tell my younger self, READ IT HERE

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”– Abraham Lincoln

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject in the comments section.

Have a great weekend!

Jess xx