Comments on: Feeling Good About Feeling Old

By: Jason of Kim & Jason

Jason of Kim & Jason — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:51:19 +0000

Great post. I believe we have a lot to learn from children, and many of us would do well to dust off some of the skills that we were quite good at as kids. But people who wish to be a kid again miss the point, I think. We need to combine the perspective of childhood with the power of adulthood. To me, the key is to escape the adulthood that we created for ourselves.

By: stella

stella — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:43:17 +0000

Agree with all that you wrote, but have to say that overall, many of us are not enjoying aging.

That has a lot to do with some very basic things: Health and finances.

Ageism is increasing in the business world and getting worse given the tight economy for all ages, both men and women. Finding work, any kind, is challenging–and that includes when you are an independent contractor. Many of us in our late 50s and early 60s are just as into our work and want to continue, but can’t find ways to get paid. And we both want and need to work for quite a few more years.

And if one’s health is challenged, it changes EVERYTHING. That, perhaps more than age.

Aging works if you have the money and the health to enjoy it. Without that, you really don’t have the “freedom” you write about.

It’s especially true if you have no family or family close by. Many of us have great friends, who are scattered around the country and the globe, but we can no longer just pick up and visit them.

When your health limits your daily activities and your vastly lowered income limits your options, aging is a bitch. (My mother was one of the most active, outgoing and creative people I know. Then she hit 68. Had major health problems, had to stop work. Couldn’t get around. Her unhappiness and frustration took some mean turns with her family that was helping her with everything. We now totally “get” what she went through.)

We are grateful for what we can still do, but for many of us, our bodies cannot keep up with our minds and that makes aging a serious challenge. We are very grateful for our minds being in good shape, but that’s not always a blessing.

If you’ve spent a life on the go and doing things (work and leisure), finding that you can’t is very, very frustrating.

This is most definitely not the life we dreamed about at this stage. We thought we’d be traveling, volunteering, starting more businesses.

More and more folks are going to hit walls of one kind or another as they age. It will be interesting to see how those obstacles are overcome.

We will need help, that is for sure.

If anyone is looking for work in the future, consider anything related to helping the aging population.

By: valerie

valerie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:06:52 +0000

Oh how I love the part about patience!! You nailed it about family/workplace drama, detecting BS, energy suckers – so nice to hear someone else put into words what I feel. Fantastic!

By: Mikeachim

Mikeachim — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:09:59 +0000

“Old” is the point where inside, you’re past the point where you can plot and scheme and dream about what to do tomorrow. So – very, very few people ever get old. My late grandfather was young until the day he died (aged 80+). Old is both an attitude and a myth. There’s old*er*, sure – but not old.

I love being older. It’s like childhood, except you know what you’re doing this time so you can appreciate it properly.

By: Tess The Bold Life

Tess The Bold Life — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:08:54 +0000

If I lived my life again I’d do the same things I’ve done. I have no regrets and always want to embrace and enjoy life.

However I don’t like my body growing older! I’m 55!