Aging, Personal Growth, Self Improvement, Self-Reflection, Truth, Wisdom

Aging is Rad

19 Comments

Later this month, I’ll be turning 57. I’m closer to the end of my life on this earth than I am to the beginning of it.

I realize that sounds dramatic, but it’s true.

This is why I feel a sense of urgency to get on with living a fuller life. I want to have the experiences that, and conversations with people who light me up and expand my worldview. I say this of course for self-serving reasons to an extent, but my true, ultimate goal is to leave a positive mark on the world when all is said and done. When I am said and done.

Yes, that was a bit on the dramatic side too, but it’s also true. Another truth: I waver between taking myself too seriously and not taking myself seriously enough.

This urgency I feel is the crux of why “growth” is my word of the year. I can’t expect the things I want to happen to actually happen if I don’t grow.

Bottom line for me is that time is a precious commodity that I’ve gotten really good at wasting. And I’m done with that baloney.

I have come to the understanding that being in my 50’s is pretty rad.

Do you all remember the actor Justine Batemen from the 80’s sitcom “Family Ties”? She inspired me to re-think aging, back when I saw this video in 2023.

The one thing I love about being in my 50’s is the wisdom I’ve gained. As Justine said in this clip, I’ve never been smarter and never had more connections now that I’m older. It’s true. It’s true for all of us who are in our 50’s and beyond, don’t you think?

Not that I couldn’t be smarter or have even more connections. That’s yet another reason that “growth” is my WOTY.

At almost 57, I’m more confident and aware of the skills I have which were gained through trial and error. I am more aware of my shortcomings but, and this is the most important part: I’m not as obsessed with them as I once was.

I recently joined Threads, after exiting the app previously known as Twitter. I’m enjoying it so much more and here’s an example of why that is. I was scrolling it this morning and came upon a quote I’d never read before from Betty Friedan. It encapsulates how I’m feeling about aging.

Your comments on this blog post would be much appreciated, because I believe our attitudes about aging ought to be examined. Who’s with me?

19 thoughts on “Aging is Rad”

  1. Well said. I can relate to many of the things you wrote. “I am more aware of my shortcomings but, and this is the most important part: I’m not as obsessed with them as I once was.” Love the last half of your sentence. I care, but I don’t care anymore about my flaws and foibles. I find too that there’s lots of things I don’t like about getting older, but there’s lots of things I do. Not obsessing over flaws is one of them. We complain too much about getting older. Yes, I loved every age that came before, but I really don’t think I would want to go back . . . at least not permanently. Anyway, happy early birthday!!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your kind comments. I think attitude is everything when it comes to aging. I agree, we do complain too much about getting older. What’s the point, right? It’s not like we can wind back the hands of time. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. One blessing of aging for me (I’m 65 and now a Medicare baby) has been that I care less about what people think of me as I get older. That’s a very freeing feeling, along with the notion that I’m not wasting any more time working up my courage to try new things. What’s the worst that can happen? I fall and make a fool of myself? I can live with that.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. This is so … Right On! The knowledge gained, true connections made, and the long awaited self hugs of peace from within are phenomenal. I’m loving this refiring stage of my life at 57, soon to be 58, too. Great post and topic. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I just turned 56 a couple months ago so I can really relate to this. I do love being this age and wouldn’t go back if I could. Like you, I love the wisdom I’ve gained over the years and the self-awareness. I don’t let people walk on me like I did when I was young and foolish. And I don’t care so much what other people think of me. I can do what I want in freedom. As they say aging is something not everyone gets to do. We are truly blessed. Thanks for this post, I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Happy birthday, Rhonda! Don’t know if you’re interested, but Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory comes to mind as I read your post. Either way, I love your enthusiasm and attitude as you work through middle adulthood (or whatever it’s called.) Keep going strong! 😊 Mona

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Mona! I’m sure I learned about Erikson’s psychosocial development theory in college, but that was a long time ago! I’ll google it now though because I’m curious.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment