Why aging is cool

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In her blog on Medium, Amy Selwyn, who recently turned 57, shared why she is thrilled to be getting old. Even last year, she was upset about another birthday, but now she is inspired by the fact that she is getting older. There are 57 reasons for this. We are sure that after reading Amy's revelations, you will no longer be afraid of old age. Getting old is cool!

On January 17, I celebrated my 57th birthday. And you know what? I am delighted! I like getting older. But it was not always so. I will be frank: such a feeling had never existed before this moment. Until recently, I was damn afraid of getting old.

I was worried that I had missed something in my life, that something would not happen to me, and something would not happen again. Worried about what could have happened, but it never happened … Down, down, down the rabbit hole, to anxiety and tearfulness.

But this year I feel like this: wow, I'm 57! Big number! And every year it gets bigger! Blimey!

In honor of this big day, I wrote down 57 things that I now know are true. If I'm lucky enough to celebrate my 58th birthday next year, I'll add another observation to the list. I will add to the list every year and strive to make it very, very long.

Here is the list for this year:

1. Getting older is a gift.
2. I don't need botox.
3. Losing weight is not my whole life goal.
4. Reckless passion is not love. And she rarely turns into her.
5. Narcissists make bad friends and disgusting boyfriends.
6. Long hair is always age appropriate. Cropped tops? Not by that much.
7. High heels hurt. I got sick.
8. Art gives me more pleasure than new clothes.
9. My life is much happier when I have a dog with me.
10. Sugar is poison, aspartame causes cancer. I gave up both.
11. We are outgrowing some friendships.
12. Gray hair is cool. For some…
13. No one plans to live alone, but this has its advantages. For starters - you can change the TV channel at any time.
14. I prefer real books to e-books.
15. Books and music are must-haves in the budget.
16. Lying is bad. Anyway.
17. We need criminal pleasures.
18. If a man doesn't floss, we won't be together.
19. Winter in New England is overrated.
20. I hope to never be in the mall again, especially with a food court.
21. I love animals too much to eat them.
22. Art is the meaning of my existence.
23. Being positive is the right way to live.
24. Alcoholics are not funny (although they think so).
25. When the real Amy comes to work, things turn out much better.
26. Going to bed early is great.
27. Technology is amazing. And they're not just for young people.
28. Relationships in a couple are rarely equal. But a 20/80 ratio is unacceptable.
29. "Move ahead!" - great advice.
30. Smile, this is so sexy.
31. Buy things less often - it almost never gets rid of the inner emptiness.
32. It is vitally important to say thank you.
33. I will never vote for Republicans, and there is no point in posting about it on Facebook.
34. I can enjoy my food without taking a picture of it first.
35. I would like to be friends with Patti Smith and Cheryl Strayed.
36. What is right for me may not be right for others. This is great.
37. Birthday cake only once a year.
38. The best musicians have appeared in my generation. And I will not deviate from my opinion.
39. Question: "What's your story?" - much more interesting than the question: "What are you doing?"
40. The measure of success is a person's fullness, not his income.
41. Cheapness repulses.
42. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Everyone knows this. Now I know.
43. Enjoy every moment of life, it is short.
44. It hurts to be disappointed. Expecting a person to change is even more painful.
45. Each person is close to someone. Show respect.
46. It is more correct to say “no” than to say “maybe” meaning “no”.
47. Respect the personal boundaries of others. Hear when the person says no.
48. Don't hide your true character.
49. Help anonymously.
50. “Do what scares you” is not the wisest advice.
51. My instincts are not wrong. My job is to listen and obey.
52. Confidence inspires. Arrogance is insulting. The difference is huge.
53. Sarcasm is a defense mechanism.
54. The complication of things is not a sign of intellectual superiority.
55. You can be smart in different ways.
56. It turns out that all we need is love. Thanks, The Beatles.
57. If it's your birthday, then you live on this beautiful planet! Celebrate!

I bet I could add 20-30 more observations, but I decided to write down the first 57 points that come to mind. I have been in this zoo for a long time, but, in all honesty, now I really feel more comfortable in my own skin than ever. Because I want so little. This is the opposite function: minimize to maximize.

Many people I know say bluntly and boldly that they are afraid of the passage of time. I understand them. Maybe they are afraid if they can fit everything: impressions, relationships, travel, books, concerts, walks, coffee, beer - in the remaining time? Do not know. No one, not even a hopelessly sick person, knows how much time he has left. We don't know when it will end. Oh-oh, it sounds whiny. So let's move forward …

Given the vagaries of death, it might be worth letting go of expectations as much as possible? Just say: here I am now. There are things I hope to see and do, of course. But right now I have something to appreciate. Something big and delightful or small and cuddly. Or just curious. Or just not bad. Something good is good. Truth. In fact, that's enough.

And that's enough for me. I am alive. And it's my birthday. I'll blow out the candles and eat the cake. Here's a plan. And he's great. Getting older is not scary!