“I believe the second half of one’s life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it.” Frances Lear
When you think of getting older, what do you see? Is it full of enjoyment or suffering? I hope you said enjoyment. Here are a few advantages of getting older that come with the privilege of aging. The nice thing about this list is that everything here is available to everyone. Your financial status, marital status, zip code, weight, or hair color will have no bearing on these perks. So enjoy them!
1. You have great stories to share. Your experiences are unlike anyone else’s in the World. We love hearing about other people’s lives. That’s why television, movies, and books are so popular. We could all write a book about this life we have lived. There are tears, laughter, and lessons in these stories. You may actually bless someone’s life by sharing your stories. And it doesn’t have to be written and published. A simple conversation with a friend or colleague can be enlightening, inspiring, bonding, and more.
2. Senior discounts. There are so many discounts you can receive as you age. Generally, the discounts start rolling in at 50. It starts with AARP. They offer a myriad of discounts with their membership. If you are not an AARP member, it’s worth considering. The annual membership can be as little as $12 a year, and includes lots of educational articles, along with discounts on your eyeglasses to your movie tickets. Ross Dress For Less offers a discount on Tuesday for folks at 55. I could go on, but perhaps this topic on discounts can be specifically addressed at another time. We get so many discounts on so many things. It’s a validation of how special we are!
3. Relationships are more purposeful. When we were younger, our friendships were fast and easy. They were often based on who they knew, how well they danced, how funny they were, you get the picture. When you look at the relationships you have now, especially the ones that have stood the test of time, it’s clear they are now weighted on things like respect, honor, trust, kindness, and compassion. You may not connect as easily with others as in your past, but when you do, generally, substance and meaning are a big part of the equation. Relationships can be a beautiful investment.
4. Looks aren’t everything – comfort is. Of course, you remember the fabulous shoes that could only be worn for a short time, without making you a candidate for the TV show, “My Feet Are Killing Me.” You looked good, but how did you feel? Miserable, as you hobbled to the car. As you age and truly begin loving yourself, you will discover, (if you haven’t already) that your comfort becomes more important than what you’re wearing or how you look. Let’s be clear, certainly, you still care about your appearance. However, as you embody your beauty from the inside-out, you love yourself from the inside-out. And that is the beauty that shines through, no matter what you are wearing. So now you look good and you feel good.
5. You stop caring about what others think. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” The more time you spend on this earth, the less you are controlled about what others think of you. As you have become more comfortable with yourself, you have stopped trying to please others. What you think…what you feel…has become most important. Your decisions are now based on your desires solely. That’s called Freedom.
6. You stop worrying about half the things you used to worry about. It’s so nice when you realize what matters and what doesn’t. So often what we spent sleepless nights stressing about, were things we had no control over. The beauty of aging is that you start distinguishing between what you have control of and what you don’t; what’s important to you and what’s not. Now you have more time to focus on what deserves your attention and what enhances your life.
7. You know who you are. Yes, you know your strengths and weaknesses. You have invested time in becoming the person you are today. You know what works for you and what doesn’t. There’s no more second-guessing yourself. Stand in your power and just keep being you. You have earned that right.
8. You can love yourself unconditionally. At an early age, we learned to judge ourselves. We were given examples of what was perfection and encouraged to make that our goal, rather than exploring what was within. You have proven your worth at this point. Now is the time to celebrate who you are, just as you are.
9. Better sex. Several studies have shown that older people have more and better sex than you might think. A study of women in their 80’s found that half had orgasms “always” or “most of the time” during sex. A survey of people over 60 found that 70% of women reported greater sexual satisfaction than when they were in their 40’s. “Older women are more confident about expressing their own sexuality. It’s that confidence that makes sex better.” Enjoy!
10. Retirement. This is a personal choice. Only you know when it makes sense to stop working. Rather than looking at closing the door on a specific job, consider closing the door, or retiring from the people, places, and things that contribute to your stress. Then you can really appreciate the concept of Retirement.
This is a beautiful time in our lives. Embrace it!
Leave a comment below and let me know what resonated for you and what topics you’d like to explore more.
Love & Light,