I was curious about the aging process and how others are approaching it.
We are confronted by it each day. Each passing day adds something that either shows your age or reminds us that we aren’t as young as we used to be.
Most of us ‘boomers’ have taken a different approach to growing old. We haven’t become mirrors of our parents although I am sure we do have traits taken from them.
I saw recently a program about “Growing Old”. One group gave me much to smile about when I was told their motto was to “Grow Old Disgracefully”.
That sounds like a good idea.
There are those among us who are fortunate to maintain good health, lots of energy and a clear mind.
To them, I feel envious, as I can no longer do what I could do ten years ago. I see them out of a morning pacing the streets, one man I know, now in his 80’s is looking as good as ever. It must be something to be blessed with continuing good health.
To me it’s frustration as wanting to do active physical things is no longer an option. There’s restriction too when your friends invite you out and if there is a walk involved you go a certain distance and then have to sit and wait for them to return or in some cases cause them to miss out because they don’t want to go alone.
I think it’s important to accept what is happening to us. Be it arthritis, chronic disease or something that puts a stopper on so much you want to do.
Thankfully my mind is still operating, in a fashion, though I often get muddled up with the daily wordle. In short I try to make life enjoyable, maintain my sense of humour and look forward to our family dinners.
During our lives, we have accumulated a lot of experience. What good is it to you now?
So my question is, should you feel moved to respond, what are your experiences with aging?
Be they good or bad, let me know below.
Morpethroad 
My neighbour is like this, he’s a retired police officer, now approaching 80 and he still gets up and goes for a run at half 7ish every day, all weathers. He’s amazing. If I have half that mucho gusto at his age I’ll be very grateful. KL ❤️
Hello KL it’s wonderful to see I think and good luck to him. Thanks for your thoughts.
Getting old sucks in many ways. My body is riddled with medical issues. But I still fight the good fight. I am constantly working on new ways to keep myself moving. I go to aqua therapy, PT, OT, acupuncture, and my chiropractor to keep my pain levels down. I am moving better now than I have in the last couple of years. I still can’t walk for any length of time, but I can enjoy my family, my hobbies, and my garden. I am grateful for holding on to my memories while accepting my physical limitations.
That’s the best you can do I think. We have to find the positives around us and enjoy them as best we can. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Michael, I was very lucky to get a wake-up call when I was 47. My right knee had deteriorated to such an extent that I was advised a knee replacement. But the doctor made me wait another 3 years till I turned 50 for this surgery. This was the turning point. I had to walk regularly to keep my leg muscles in good shape. Three years later I got the other knee replaced. Now I walk 3-4 miles a day and feel so much better for it both physically and mentally.
Well that is great for you and congratulations for not letting things get on top of you
Thanks Michael. I feel it’s our attitude plus our genetics that decide how we’ll fare in our old age.
I don’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would…
Thanks for your comment. The aging process can be a challenge. I can attest to that.
🙃
I’ll be 66 in May and officially a state pensioner. I took early retirement in 2007, and had the holiday of a lifetime to NZ, albeit on my own as Hubby stayed home to look after the dog, in 2010.
I was diagnosed with borderline type 2 diabetes in 2011, but since hitting 60, my health has taken a couple of knocks. The diabetes is fine, but I’ve had two strikes of breast cancer (2016 and 2019) and my arthritis is getting the better of me some days. We’d promised ourselves a good holiday when we didn’t have a dog, but Covid scuppered that. We both miss Maggie more than ever and will be glad when we can find another fur ball to welcome into our lives. Hubby’s health has been very up and down these past few years, but hopefully that is all now being sorted. We have good days and bad days, push ourselves when necessary, and try to do what we can to enjoy life, even if it is at a slower pace than it was. As long as we are together, we are good, and that’s what matters.
Thanks for your comment Di I’ve always admired your relationship with Hubby you are so lucky as whatever happens to either of you you have each other. For me it’s arthritis that is doing me in. The restrictions on my mobility is very depressing. Thankfully I’m still good in the head ( touch wood).
I can sympathise with the arthritis Michael. Do you have any mobility aids to help you get out and about? It is worse in my hands but my knees, back and now my feet are showing signs too. I try to keep active, as does Hubby and his mobility is bad on a good day. I don’t know how he keeps going, he just does. We do have each other, and for that I am grateful.
I don’t need,yet, any aids but getting increasingly difficult as both hands and feet are enjoying giving me a hard time. I keep reminding myself that it sucks getting old. Plus there’s always someone worse off than me.😄
That’s how I look at it too. I’ve got an aspirin based cream I can use on my hands and it really helps, but gripping a pen for long periods, or even throwing my darts, is painful.
It’s surprising how limiting it can make us. But we keep going.
Yep. Take care
I am doing fine, and not minding too much about the aging process. I tire more quickly and am not as strong as I once was, but overall no big complaints. I walk about 3 miles 4 or 5 times a week, and always feel better, mentally and physically, after my walk. I have a bit of arthritis of hands, feet, and back, but I rarely need aspirin or creams to ease the pain. There are anxiety issues that I have dealt with over the years, and the older I get, the more I have to take care to not let it get the best of me. I am soon to be 74! There were challenges when I was young and there are challenges now, that’s just part of life. I am happier now than when I was young and always worried about one thing or another. Life is good!
That’s wonderful to hear Patricia and what a great attitude you have to life. Keep on keeping on.
I am exceedingly thankful to be hale & hearty at the age 70, especially since I had those years of ME/CFS when I thought debility illness would be my lot for life. Now I’m taking 10 mile hikes. I hacked through a mini-jungle when I moved house last summer. And although I had a cataract op, my general health is tickety-bo. I wish everyone could enjoy that too. Oh, and book #7 launches this April & I’me working on book #8
You are so fortunate and I wish you well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Pleasure. If there’s a message in that, it’s not to give up. I could have sat back and let that illness take me
That’s a great attitude to have. My issues are genetic and not can be done other than treat myself kindly
Even so, a positive attitude will get you through