Aging with grace.
Let’s talk about aging gracefully. Men and women alike try to turn back time or wish they were 20 again (or even 40) We have fond memories of a social life before children, and the fun we had with our children as they were growing up. For some we miss our elders and wish we could go back to when they were still around.The days of a more active life and activities with friends. Days when we didn’t have aches and pains, our skin was smoother and felt more confident in our clothing.
There is a quote “I know as a woman I’m supposed to be afraid of getting older but, I love this shit so much. Every year I sink deeper into this bath of unapologetic realness and it’s amazing” – Bunmi Laditan
Realness, I think, equals authenticity, its knowing who you are at a deeper level. Many older people are lost and unsure of who they are. Some will be living life longing for younger days, when they knew they were so-in-so’s parent, or the job title or had roles to play. Many feel lost without relating themselves to another more youthful time in their lives.
We are spiritual beings, we are not this body that ages with time. Its hard for many to realize or conceptualize this question of ‘who am I?’ without these labels, titles or roles we once had.
In my fifties. For me personally, my 50’s have been my best years yet. (Just weeks away from my 55th birthday at the time of this writing) Even though I have glaucoma, my eyesight has been bad since childhood, but it’s just going to continue getting worse, debilitating arthritis, which is also going to just get worse. I put on weight much easier and it’s much harder to take off. My skin is wrinkling and sagging, my face is looking more “granny” like. With the lack of elasticity, nerve damage is showing up on my face from a physical assault, in an abusive relationship years ago. This is all part of who this body is, but for me, I am much more than this. I can feel that spirit within.
However, let’s talk about aging for a minute from a different perspective than the damage time does on the body.
Yes, I love aging and maturing. I love my grey streaks in my hair, I don’t mind seeing my mother in the mirror. I love being able to talk to men without them mistaking my kindness, or even interaction, as flirting. I love the wisdom life has given me. I have healthy boundaries in all areas of my life, and know myself better than ever before. There is a sense of freedom to be fully me I have never felt in my younger years.
In the US, society has brainwashed us into thinking youth is something better than aging. Anti-aging products, the surgeries, the sayings about never asking a lady her age, and the like. It goes much deeper, that is just the surface.
Step into yourself, let the memories of youth be fun to reflect on, but don’t wish your maturity away. Just like we tell young adults, or children to enjoy this time, and not to wish it away, it’s the same for us older adults. Please don’t waste away your senior years wishing you were young again. You lived it, your life is like no other – write a book or a blog, tell your story, get it out of you for the generations ahead. Enjoy this time, step fully into it, and embrace the wisdom, and freedom. Use the time, don’t waste it. Knowing we are over the hill so to speak, can be a motivator rather than a time of just waiting until we get to the bottom or regretting the loss of youth.
Take care of yourself. Yes take good care of your health, inside and out. Do the best you can to preserve your health, but not so you can turn back the clock, but to live healthy while you’re here. Start something new that you always wanted to try, or learn. As mentioned before, share your story. There is tremendous sense of healing, or a liberating feeling in getting it all down in book or blog form, or even just a recording. If you’re unsure where to start, just start telling your memories – the good ones, and the hard life lessons. You have so much value and wisdom to share whether you realize this or not.
Self love, and self care is so important during this time. Starting a practice of self care and self love is very helpful if you’re having a hard time with aging gracefully. Hypnotherapy can help with that. However there are many other ways as well. Reach out, please don’t suffer in silence or think there is no hope now. No matter your age, the time will pass anyway, no matter what you do, or don’t do. Why not at least try to feel better about it?
Any questions, concerns or anything to add to this I would love to hear it! Please, as always, feel free to reach out. Email me directly at Pamela@HypnoBreakthrough.com or use the contact form on the homepage.
Thank you so much for being here, much peace and love to you. Pamela Topjian
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