Getting older is something that we’re all going to have to go through, barring some miraculous medical breakthroughs. So whatever happens to your body, you might as well try to enjoy it as best you can.
No – you won’t be able to do everything you could when you were younger. But you can certainly control how you think about it. And that can make a massive difference in what you feel.
I learned a lot as I got older. The first half of life is all about acquiring resources in whatever form you can. But in the second half, the nature of the game changes. Many people I know become much more giving with their time. It’s like the prospect of dying puts everything into context. It makes people a lot less selfish as time runs out – a little ironic when you think about it.
I think people should embrace getting older and disband some of the myths that surround youth. It’s not always better to be young. Just think back to what it was like to be twenty; all that angst and uncertainty – no thanks.
Stuff Becomes Less Important
I remember when I spent my days thinking about buying the next thing for my home. Over time, though, I found that life’s material accouterments begin to blend together and lose their importance. Once you’ve fitted one set of drapes to your living room windows, you have fitted them all.
Instead of worrying about whether I have the latest equipment for my kitchen, I make do with the fact that I already have pretty much everything I need. I’ve spent a lifetime accumulating pots, pans, and cutlery sets that would make your eyes water. Now the priority is having great experiences with other people – and winding them up a bit when the opportunity arises.
Stress Isn’t A Big Factor Anymore
Stress is supposedly a big part of life. The younger generations love to talk about it endlessly. It is a cross that they must bear. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that dealing with life’s problems becomes a lot easier. You learn the tricks of the trade: the psychological tools to get through difficulties. Illness, relationship breakdown, bereavement – it seems to get easier. Worry goes down.
You Feel Wiser
Whether you actually are wiser, remain a matter for debate. Nonetheless, I’ve found that things tend to crystallize easier. Somehow I always have the right thing to say …
Confidence Comes Thick And Fast
Regularly talking to funeral directors on the telephone certainly puts life into perspective. What’s the point of worrying about what people think if one day, it’s going to be you in the grave? The answer? None!
Getting older tends to breed confidence. The opinions of others don’t seem to matter so much when time is short. I’ve learned to live my life to the full and go for the things that I want, in whatever capacity I can. What’s the point of shying away? You’re only here once.
