These are supposed to be our golden years, yet the societal narrative about aging can make us feel anything but golden! All over fifty know that our vibrancy and desire for growth do not wane after a certain age; they evolve.
As a mindset coach, I know that to encourage this evolution, we must embrace practices that support our mindset, attitude, and view of our potential — at any age. After all, it’s our own opinion and perspective on youth and aging that matters most!
To heck with a society that insists you slow down, take it easy, and accept the so-called inevitability of aging. Age is truly just a number, and at mid-life, you’re only getting started. You may have a few aches you didn’t have a decade ago, but you make up for that with experience and wisdom. The brain’s neuroplasticity is capable of growth and reshaping regardless of age. It’s never too late, and you’re never too old to take full advantage of creating a youthful mindset.
Perspective Tops Birthdays
Getting beyond ageism begins with you and the power of your perspective. Instead of viewing birthdays as a countdown to decline, see them as milestones marking your journey toward building resilience, gaining wisdom, and adding in the spice of rebellion. There are numerous accounts of authors, artists, composers, and entrepreneurs who made their most significant mark in their golden years.
Colonel Harland Sanders established the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain at age 65. Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing the classic “Little House on the Prairie” at age 65. Harriette Thompson, a cancer survivor, ran her first marathon at the age of 76, and at 91 years old, she completed her 15th marathon, becoming the second-oldest marathon runner in U.S. history. You, too, might be at the edge of your greatest decade yet!
Move It or Lose It!
While your brain is still growing and evolving, the same goes for your physical body. Society might expect you to embrace a sedentary lifestyle, settle into a rocking chair, and reminisce about the “good old days.” So, it’s up to us to flip the script and reimagine aging. Take up new physical activities and cultivate an adventuresome, more youthful mindset. Sign up for beginner yoga classes, learn to play pickleball, join a gym, or take salsa lessons.
Now is the time in your life to move it or lose it. To prevent loss of strength and mobility, you’ve got to commit to moving more than you ever have before. Evolve! Challenge yourself, surprise yourself, and treat yourself to new physical experiences.
Build Community
After keeping your brain and body strong and nourished, the next crucial anti-aging focus should be building your community. Get intentional about socializing, especially if you’re single or living alone. Force yourself to connect with people interested in evolving, learning, and staying well. Age is no barrier to forming new friendships or deepening existing ones. Building a social circle of friends to share experiences and activities with is good for your health and keeps you young.
Ditch the Worrying
Stop anxious thoughts by getting more mindful. In a constantly buzzing world, take the time to slow down and savor each moment. Whether enjoying a cup of tea on the porch or relishing the sunrise, mindfulness cultivates gratitude and an appreciation for the present. Practicing mindfulness helps fend off future worry, anxiety, and overthinking – all of which will drag you down and age you faster.
Embrace the mantra of continuous improvement and evolution. It’s not your responsibility to conform to societal expectations; it’s your job to live each day as your best version of yourself. Learn, grow, adapt, move, stay present and continue evolving.
You can rewrite the narrative that society has created about your golden years. Those golden years may lead to platinum years; the best is yet to come. Remember that age is just a number. Youth is a mindset.
