5 Things I Love About Aging
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about aging?
Is it negative or positive? Does it make you feel sad or happy? Too many people associate aging with negativity, when in reality it can be one of the best times of your life. Many older women live vibrant and fulfilling lives as they age, and more and more women are setting records and breaking through barriers.
Of course, some people use age as a reason to avoid doing things they don’t want to do. How often have you heard an older woman say, “I’m too old for that”? These women are setting their own limitations, which is fine if that is what makes them happy. But the rest of us need to make sure their limitations don’t influence the way we think about aging.
I cannot speak for anyone else, but for me there are many things that I love about aging.
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I have learned to handle stress and anxiety better than I did when I was younger.
I have always been a person who likes to take on new things and achieve new goals. There were times in my life when I was so busy creating something, such as a new business, that I didn’t realize stress was building until it showed up in physical ways.
Over the years, I learned to be more in tune with my thoughts and recognize stress earlier. I also learned that we can develop a personal “toolbox” of strategies to help us manage stress. You may never eliminate stress entirely, but you can work on your relationship with it. Meditation has been one of the ways I have learned to do that.
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I have accepted that there are some things I am no longer comfortable doing.
Acceptance is a big factor in enjoying your later years. If you are constantly angry that you cannot still do everything you used to do, you can create unnecessary negativity for yourself.
Instead, accept that this is a natural part of life and explore the options that are right for you at this stage. You are not the same person you were ten or twenty years ago. You can continue to grow and expand your world with new and exciting possibilities. Look to other active women who can introduce you to new things instead of dwelling on the old.
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I have learned the importance of attitude.
Attitude can shape how we look at a situation, which can influence how we feel and how we respond. When you approach challenges with a positive, can-do attitude, you may feel better equipped to work through adversity and make the most of each day.
Our attitudes can influence our thoughts, emotions, behaviour, and relationships.
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I have fewer fears.
Looking back over my life, I can see that many of the things I feared never happened. And the things that did happen, no matter how difficult, showed me that I had the inner strength and resources to get through them.
Every difficulty changed my perspective, taught me something new, and allowed me to see an experience in a different light.
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I can see how far I have come.
With aging comes experience, and that experience can be a powerful reminder of how much you’ve accomplished and how much you’re capable of accomplishing in the future.
It’s important to take time to appreciate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem, and use them as motivation for continued growth. Aging means you are growing, and now you can not only see how far you have come but also how far you can still go.
Aging does not mean stopping. It means you now have accumulated wisdom that can help you move forward if you choose to use it. Let the “want to” inside of you lead you to new places and new experiences.
About Candace Cima
I am a seventy-six-year-old businesswoman, artist, and former model residing in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. I have maintained a daily yoga and exercise practice for over 35 years. When I am not working in my office or my gym, you will find me in my art studio.
It is my goal to inspire women of all ages to continue to feel confident, relevant, and enthusiastic about life. I truly believe that aging is changing.
