Why I’m okay with getting old(er) 🫶
So, I feel like all my life I’ve been putting so much pressure on myself to do things while i’m young, because I won’t be young forever.
Constantly was surrounded by older people telling me "when you’re my age, XYZ will constantly be in pain. Enjoy not being in pain while you are young."
Oftentimes I would see a lot of young stars on television, and at my middle school there even was a kid who ended up on the Ellen Show.
I felt as though if I did not become successful before I reached the age of 18, I was a failure. That life after 18 was supposed to be terrible and get harder and harder. At one point I even felt like I was old at 18. I felt like I was already past my prime and headed into the uncertain but certainly terrible world of being a 20 something adult, and then a 30 something adult, and then a dinosaur. 🦖
And then something happened.
I turned 20. Then I turned 21, and 22.
I still felt like me, but over time I just started to feel the same, yet different.
I started focusing on the day to day, and doing yoga really helped me with being grounded in my body. I started taking better care of the me I am now, at this age, because through a lot of books, and surrounding myself with the right people finally helped me to realize none of us know what the heck we are doing.
Not only that, but once I started practicing gratitude daily I began to realize that I am SO GLAD i did not have my life completely figured out when I was 13, because I am not AT ALL the same person I was then.
And 20 years from now, I will not be the same person I was at 23 years old.
And the crazy thing is? I’m so excited to meet the person I will become at 43.
I have been seeing the world through the perspective and opinions of OTHER PEOPLE for so long.
There are 40 year olds who can dance, and jump and sing. there are 60 year olds who still walk their dogs, and play with their grandchildren. there are people who live to be 100, and still bake their own bread.
I am so inspired by humanity, and by the capacity our bodies hold for joy.
There are a lot of things in life we cannot control, and inevitably we do all pass away in the end. There’s no guarantee that I will even make it past my 20s, so if I do that I am considering myself lucky!!
I am not owed the privilege of getting older.
And knowing this, brings me a lot of peace about the possibility of reaching the age of 50, 60, 70.
To me, Getting Old is not a negative thing at all. In the contrary, it is pretty awesome when I think about it.
I am 23, and I am just now getting started
and every day, for the rest of my life, I will begin again,
again
and again.
#glowup #lemon8challenge #youngerself #growingmyself #journeytoself #embracingvulnerability #gettingolder #gettingold #aginggracefully #letschat
It's funny how a simple question like "How old are you?" can sometimes feel loaded, isn't it? For so long, I dreaded that question. It felt like an interrogation, a benchmark against which I was constantly measuring my perceived success or failure. But ever since I started truly embracing the journey of "getting older" – a journey I talked about in my main post – my whole approach to that question has shifted. It’s no longer about a number, but about the story behind it. Now, when someone asks, I don't just blurt out a number. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to share a little piece of my evolving perspective, or even just to have a bit of fun. For those moments when you want to answer with more than just a digit, here are a few ways I've learned to respond, depending on my mood and the context. If I'm feeling sentimental and reflective, I might say something like, "I'm old enough to have learned some incredible lessons, and young enough to still be excited about all the adventures ahead." It lets people know that my age isn't just a count of years, but a collection of experiences. It highlights the gratitude I've found in every passing year, a feeling that truly blossomed as I started to understand "why I'm okay with getting old." Sometimes, a witty remark feels right, especially if I want to lighten the mood. I love saying, "I'm perfectly aged, like a good book – you have to read a few chapters to truly appreciate it!" Or, if I'm feeling a bit cheeky, "Let's just say I've mastered the art of adulting... most days!" These kinds of answers don't just state an age; they invite a smile and maybe even a chuckle, making the conversation more engaging. It’s a playful nod to the fact that age doesn’t define our spirit or our sense of humor. Then there are days when I want to give a more emotional or empowering description of my age. In those moments, I might respond, "I'm at that beautiful stage where I'm shedding old fears and fully stepping into who I'm meant to be. Every year feels like a gift, and I'm just soaking it all in." This response speaks to the profound shift I've experienced, moving from a place of dreading future birthdays to genuinely looking forward to them. It’s about recognizing the privilege of adding another year to my life, rather than seeing it as a countdown. What I've realized is that the best answer isn't about being evasive; it's about being authentic to your journey and your feelings about age. It’s about reflecting on life experiences related to your age, as the queries suggested. My journey towards "embracing aging" has taught me that my age isn't something to hide or apologize for. It’s a badge of honor, a testament to growth, resilience, and the sheer joy of being alive. So, next time someone asks you, take a moment. What do you truly want to convey about your age? Is it your wisdom, your humor, your enthusiasm for life, or the simple joy of being exactly where you are? Let your answer be a reflection of your unique and wonderful journey. It's empowering to own your age, whatever it may be, and frame it in a way that resonates with your personal truth.
Honestly this is such a good way to look at life 🥹💖