My personal philosophy on aging is that all of us are aging but not all of us have to get old.

What do I mean by that?

I mean every single person is aging. It happens from the moment we are born. Our minds and bodies age until we die.

But being old, at least to me, is more of a mindset.

There are many people under the age of 50 who are old, while there are people in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s that may be aging, but are anything but old.

So many young people act as if aging is something to avoid at all costs.

They are obsessed with every wrinkle and line and gray hair they find.

They will do anything and everything to keep it from happening to them.

But all of us are aging and will continue to do so until we take our final breath.

So why not embrace the “Aging Awesomely” philosophy?

Instead of being obsessed with wrinkles or gray hair, work to love and accept yourself as you are, as you age, and enjoy living life at each and every stage of life.

Some of the most inspiring people I know are seniors who live with passion, purpose and vitality.

They exude confidence, wisdom, flair, and despite the aging process, they never lose their lust for life.

These people are “aging awesomely” which is something I am committed to doing too.

So how do you embrace the aging process without feeling old?

Here are ten things you can start doing now that will allow you to start aging awesomely and notice, you can’t buy any of them at the drugstore.

Keep an Open Mind

There’s nothing that screams crotchety old person than someone so set in their ways they refuse to listen to any other point of view.  It’s one thing to have an opinion. But it is an entirely different ballgame when you listen to understand another’s point of view instead of preparing for your next comment regarding your rock-solid stance.

True wisdom is cultivated by engaging in thought-provoking conversations, reading about a subject from various angles, and being open to differences of opinion.

You might not always agree, but then again, you could learn something new that could change your stance entirely.

Each time you meet with an opinion or issue in which you don’t agree, try saying “I am willing to see this differently”.

This allows you to listen more closely, better connect with others, and maybe become not just smarter, but wiser.

Be a Lifelong Learner

You may know a lot, but you don’t know everything. There are so many things to discover in this world and along this journey, we call life. All it takes is a curious mind and a willingness to learn.

Before the pandemic, I taught a few courses at a local college with an Academy for Lifelong Learning. Nothing was more thrilling to me than to meet people in their 90s excited to learn something new.

In fact, during one of my EnVision Your BEST Life workshops, I met a 93 year old woman who said the poster board I provided was just not big enough for all the things she wanted to see, do, and experience in life.

Becoming a lifelong learner makes life more interesting, keeps your brain sharp and engaged and as a result, makes you more interesting too.

Move Your Body

There is truth to the saying “Move it or lose it”.

Keeping active is probably the best, if not most important thing a person can do as they age.

It is never too late to start, even if you have to start slowly.

I host a monthly show called “For Mature Audiences” and the last segment each month is dedicated to showcasing someone in our local community who we feel is “Aging Awesomely”.

We have interviewed rock climbers, pickleball players, and yoga instructors, all in their 70’s and 80’s and every time we ask someone what is their key to Aging Awesomely, they respond, “Keeping my body moving”.

You don’t have to run a marathon or climb mountains, but you can start by getting out of your chair, turning off the TV, and moving your body with a walk around the block.

And while you’re at it, add some weight-lifting to your routine.

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial to help prevent osteoporosis, falls, and injuries. 

Not only are these activities great for your heart health, but they’re also great for your mental and emotional health too.

Nurture Relationships with People Other Than Family

Most people would agree that family is what they treasure most in life. But family isn’t everything and cultivating and nurturing relationships with friends of all ages can keep you feeling youthful.

Often people feel lost and lonely because they are home waiting for family to call or visit. And then they get disappointed or angry because everyone seems to be too busy for them.

They waste precious time and energy sitting and waiting when they could be busy doing things with people who have similar interests.

These people do not have to be your best friends, but they can be people for whom you look forward to spending time and enjoying their company or the activities that interest you.

Finding things to do in your community is easy. Your local library, college, or university is a great place to start. Many of these institutions offer classes and presentations on various topics and often they are free or offered at a low cost.

In addition, there are many programs for health and wellness geared specifically to those 65+ and above that are well attended and fun. These are great places to meet people, feel less lonely, and give you something to look forward to.

Embrace Change

Let’s face it, no one likes change, regardless of your age.

And the older we get, the more we see the world and our world changing.

Friendships can change, people move, people die, jobs go away, family dynamics may change, even our bodies change.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming and suddenly we find ourselves working furiously to resist any and all changes in life. And that my friend is simply impossible.

Everything changes or transforms at all times.

But if you keep looking back in the rearview mirror at the good ole’ days, you will miss out on experiences, relationships and opportunities that could be some of your best days!

After my son died, I found myself very resistant to change, because my whole world had suddenly and drastically been altered.

And that left me filled with fear, anxiety and depression.

It wasn’t until I was brave enough to accept and embrace change that I was able to transform my life for the better.

If you need proof, look no further than mother nature. Each season changes into the next. And when life’s storms come, you have a choice: either go with the flow and bend like the palm tree, or dig in like the mighty oak and eventually snap or uproot.

It’s much more painful to deal with life resisting change when you could embrace it, looking at it as one great adventure.

Ask for Help (or at the Very Least, Don’t Refuse It).

Why is it so many aging people are stubborn when it comes to asking for a helping hand?

It’s true the aging process can take its toll on the body. Our knees and hips may ache more, we might not be as flexible as we once were and we might not have the stamina we once had.

But you are not giving in to being “old” by asking for some help.

Once a woman is in menopause she can lose bone density, so standing on a ladder and reaching for something, can lead to a loss in balance, which can lead to a fall, which can lead to a hip fracture. And when that happens, things can go downhill fast.

It’s ok if you can’t do the things you once did. None of us can.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you are old, it means you’re smart!

Living your best life is knowing your body. 

Knowing what you can’t do as well as you used to, and asking for help or hiring someone to get the things you need done, is essential to living independently longer.

And if someone is kind and thoughtful enough to offer to take something off your plate, don’t block that blessing by refusing.

Say “yes” and be grateful that someone really cares.

Commit to Trying Something New

There are so many wonderful things to learn, do and experience in this world, that one lifetime is simply not enough time to do it all.

Trying something new makes life more exciting, and if you like what you try, it makes life much more enjoyable.

It can be something as simple as trying a new recipe, but it can be as grand as moving to another country, taking up scuba diving or starting a home based business!

The point is, this is the time in life when you have the time to explore those things you always wanted to try but never had the time to do in your younger years.

And when you realize that you have more time behind you than ahead of you, it makes it more important than ever to try something new now.

Remember, “Someday” is a myth. It’s” go” time.

I am challenging you to try something new today!

Embrace Your Faith or Engage in Some Kind of Spiritual Practice

Many people find a sense of peace, joy and community in their church family, while others may not embrace religion at all. But feeling a connection to something bigger than yourself is a great benefit to aging awesomely.

Some people pray, others meditate. Some spend a lot of time in nature, practice yoga or go on retreats. Others attend weekly services.

Engaging in a spiritual practice can help keep your brain, body and spirit healthy.

In addition, having some kind of spiritual practice can also improve your relationships and enhance your quality of life.

Be Grateful

Being grateful helps you live longer, live happier, and live healthier.

So much research has been done on practicing gratitude it’s a wonder it’s not offered as a prescription by your doctor.

It’s much more enjoyable to focus on what is “right” in your life versus what is “wrong”.

That’s not saying that people don’t face illness, injury, or other problems.

Everyone is dealing with something in life that affects their overall wellbeing, but the happiest and healthiest people are the ones who choose to be grateful in life.

Studies show that people who practice gratitude have reduced depression, less anxiety, have improved heart health, feel less stressed and sleep better.

Feeling grateful allows you to see life in a whole new light.

Don’t know where to begin? You can start by being thankful for “living another day” the moment you wake each morning, being grateful your heart beats on its own, and that your body automatically breathes. You can be grateful for each meal you eat, and the bed you sleep in each night.

Each of us has blessings beyond measure.

So make a habit of looking for them and being grateful for them and see how life changes for you.

Laugh

It really seems to be true, laughter is the BEST medicine!

Ever notice how great you feel after a big belly laugh?

According to an article on helpguide.org, ”Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.”

Familiar with the saying, if you don’t laugh about it, you’ll cry?

Well I don’t know about you, but I would much rather laugh.

Children and pets are great for enjoying a few laughs. Their innocence and curiosity for life often produce hilarious results.

And thanks to streaming services and social media you can find all kinds of comic relief on demand.

One of the things I did was join an improvisational comedy troupe where we not only laugh a lot, but share that laughter with audiences. (By the way, I didn’t start exploring improv until I was well into my 50’s, and this actually checked off a few other boxes for me on this list, as I tried something new, kept an open mind and learned about the art of improv too)

The best kind of laughter is the kind you share with others, so go join a fun group of people and enjoy a few laughs.

In Conclusion

As you can see none of these tips have anything to do with lotions, potions and creams.

And while I admit, I do use these kinds of products, I use them to look and feel my best as I age, rather than try to prevent the aging process.

I also decided to let my hair grow out to its natural color, as a practice of learning to love myself fully as I age. I know this isn’t for everyone. But it is what I feel is best for me.

And that is the beauty of the Aging Awesomely Philosophy:

Growing into your best, most confident self. Making choices that are best for you, and living and loving this one life you have been given every step of the journey.

If you would like to meet other women who are Aging Awesomely role models check out my YouTube Channel where they are featured in episodes of “For Mature Audiences”. Hit subscribe and you will be notified each time a new person is featured.