no whining on the yacht; best bits about aging
My last post talked about what I love about getting older. When I asked all of you, I got great responses that I want to share. Thank you so much for answering the question! Here it is!
What’s great about being “older.”
1. Not having to take toddlers to the indoor playground at the mall. (I know, I know those are sweet times, but indoor play spaces are loud and make me feel like I’m in a burning hellscape of germs, I’m sorry.)
2. Feeling clearer and more empowered to say no to what sucks the life out of our precious souls and yes to what illuminates it.
3. With age comes perspective, and with perspective comes the realization that we are lucky to be here. We can deal with the other stuff.
4. Realizing that we’ve always been enough.
5. That most people don’t have a clue as to what they’re doing and are winging it so we can wing it too.
6. Because we’ve been on this planet for some time now, we’ve experienced loss and heartbreak. Knowing that joy lives next to pain, we rally to laugh, dance, and celebrate because joy sustains us.
7. We understand the importance of keeping our peace. We let go of the need to be right or have our opinion understood because we love who we are and make our peace a priority.
8. Death isn’t the worst thing, not living life while we’re here, is.
9. Not worrying so much (also referred to as not giving a f*ck) as to what others think about how we look, dress, act, etc.
10. The awe and deep appreciation we feel at the infinite number of small, beautiful miracles that await us every day.
11. Caring less about the stupid stuff. (Alison)
12. More confident to approach people that I admire and/or want to work with. (Sally)
13. Clarity and knowing when things, people, and places or a no or a yes. And I would also say having the confidence to rest and being able to laugh at myself. (Charlotte)
14. Trusting myself and using all my previous experiences to know what I need in this season. (Fern).
15. My deep relationship with self. (Ashley)
16. I love the growth and self-awareness that comes with age, it’s amazing how we start to prioritize what is truly important and I love feeling like a woman boss in my own life. (Megan)
17. Honestly, at 55, and really probably since 45, it really is not giving a shit. Obviously, anyone who knows me knows I care deeply about a lot of things. But the IDGAS is about other people’s opinions about what I care about, what I find important and valuable. It’s so liberating. I’m not in charge of other people’s opinions so why should I worry about them? Be kind, try to do some good, don’t give a shit. That’s my operating principal (Lynda)
18. I thought my 40’s were fun…I think that was just a warmup to my 50’s. Having a ball, and way more authentic, quiet confidence than I ever had in any decade. I want to continue being amazed at my life’s experiences! LFG (Sheila)
19. Watching little humans come into the world, to watch grow and love on!! (Cristina)
20. Before my mid-40’s I let society tell me what I could and couldn’t achieve. Late 40’s to now (mid 50’s) I let myself decide. It is amazing what you can achieve once you stop letting others tell you that you cannot. (Alvin)
21. Knowing what I need and asking and accepting help and support. (me)
22. I have found that 82 is a blessing. My children are grown and are successful and caring. I make decisions that make me happy.I have found phenomenal friends volunteering. I find one positive experience and one funny event every day. No whining on the yacht!!
23. Ok I am already aware of the perils of sleeping wrong among other old lady risks. What I love most about getting old is the way I can slow time by paying attention to what really matters to me, and knowing how important that is as time speeds up at exponential rates each year. I also really like the fact that Im less self-conscious by the day, despite that each day brings new signs of age. Seems like aging has helped me get my priorities straight! And finally, I love how 65 used to seem so old I figured I'd pretty much just give up and take up smoking again, and now 85 seems pretty young so I'd like to stay healthy for it. Not gonna start smoking again until 100, I guess. (Liz)
24. The older I get, the more I can say crazy shit, and those around me just say….well, he’s old and says crazy stuff. (Alan),