The interesting thing that happens when you start to age, is that while you may not feel the age thing yourself, you experience it in terms of distance. Distance to what’s cool and prevalent in popular culture. Distance to friendships that have ended – for one reason or another. Distance to how people perceive you, and your age, and how you feel about yourself.
When you see people get the ‘Oh I’m so sorry’ look flash across their face when they find out your age, but you feel fitter, healthier and stronger than at any other point in your life, it’s a bit confusing. But secretly, it’s also a little liberating.
You realise how stuck they are in preconceived notions that crumble when put under even the tiniest amount of scrutiny. It’s like a feminist feeling empowered by any Beyonce faux-empowerment song. Your idea of what it means to be an independent woman (in the world of Beyonce), and the reality of actually being an independent woman (in the world we actually live in), are two completely separate things.
And so it is with aging. The reality is quite a bit different to the idea of it. Which in many ways is a good thing. If you’re scared or worried about getting older, you don’t need to be. It’s won’t be as bad as you think it might be.
I guess for me, as I get older in this time and space in history, getting older blurs with all of the changes that are taking place in our lives because of social media and digital connectedness (or more accurately, perceived connectedness). Simple ways of being, manners and etiquette from even half a decade ago, have leapfrogged and morphed into things I don’t recognise – and honestly, don’t like.
It’s not just something I don’t like in others. It’s something I don’t like in myself.
I remember a time when I wouldn’t even take my mobile phone out to dinner. I remember a time when I would watch TV – with no other screens around me. And I remember a time when I would wake up and not madly dash towards a device.
Is any of this helping me, making me healthier, or happier? Is society broken and we’re all too distracted by what’s on our screens that we aren’t even noticing? Or am I just getting older?….
imma older. I like it fine. It's a secret I keep to myself. I know what I have to do to maintain. I know what is good for me in the long run and what are must avoids. I refuse to get to tangled up in social media. My self esteem does not rely on how many likes I get on a given day. My self esteem is derived from me, being my best self, doing the right things. Things that please me. Some 20 something with an ageist attitude. F him. He doesn't matter in my world at all. I love my older self. I am indeed, simply getting better every year. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteI am 48 years old but honestly I feel 35. And sexually speaking 25, with quick and marble erections. People attribute 40 years to me because I have no wrinkles. Anyway, honestly, I don't mind getting old. I honestly feel wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGetting old is inevitable, as we know. 🤷♂️ What's more important in life is being you, deciding what feels good for you to share with the world, etc. So, it really depends on the person. 🙂
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