Great article! I'm 68 next week, and last year I did fall! in the parking lot at church. All of a sudden I felt like a frail old woman scared to take a step. It's taken me over a year to get past most of that feeling. It's good to hear your story!
"After decades of being told what is best for us, what we should think, how we should behave, and what we should expect from growing older, trusting our own thoughts and feelings doesn’t always come naturally.
We have become so accustomed to looking outside ourselves for answers that we sometimes question the very instincts that could lead us back to the lives we want to live."
This hit me where I live. I recently became so exhausted trying to manage all the conflicting opinions of what I should do, it felt like I was trying to balance spinning plates and failing. I worried I was losing my mind so I finally caved and saw a counselor. She said I wasn't crazy and what I thought mattered. She told me I could trust myself. I know it sounds ridiculous but I had never been given that permission before and I'm really old. I grew up learning to obey and respect everyone but myself.
In that moment I heard all the plates hit the floor. It was such a relief! I'm now busy reorganizing my mind and getting rid of mountains of useless clutter. I ask myself questions first and almost always the answer pops right up, tailored to my situation and me. I've cut out the middleman!
I'm 73, and I can identify! The assumptions -- including my annual Medicare check, where I'm asked about falls and whether I can still dress and drive myself -- really piss me off. And yesterday, after months of receiving flyers about retirement homes, I got a postcard advertising a free lunch where I could learn about end-of-life options. AARGH!
Yes I love Monica highlighted how much society influences what it means to get older.. and how she was influenced to not go outside because she is older and she may fall. It was an eye opening article.
Great article! I'm 68 next week, and last year I did fall! in the parking lot at church. All of a sudden I felt like a frail old woman scared to take a step. It's taken me over a year to get past most of that feeling. It's good to hear your story!
Thank you!
"After decades of being told what is best for us, what we should think, how we should behave, and what we should expect from growing older, trusting our own thoughts and feelings doesn’t always come naturally.
We have become so accustomed to looking outside ourselves for answers that we sometimes question the very instincts that could lead us back to the lives we want to live."
This hit me where I live. I recently became so exhausted trying to manage all the conflicting opinions of what I should do, it felt like I was trying to balance spinning plates and failing. I worried I was losing my mind so I finally caved and saw a counselor. She said I wasn't crazy and what I thought mattered. She told me I could trust myself. I know it sounds ridiculous but I had never been given that permission before and I'm really old. I grew up learning to obey and respect everyone but myself.
In that moment I heard all the plates hit the floor. It was such a relief! I'm now busy reorganizing my mind and getting rid of mountains of useless clutter. I ask myself questions first and almost always the answer pops right up, tailored to my situation and me. I've cut out the middleman!
I really enjoyed all of the insights you shared in this article. Especially the identity part.
I like to dance around to Latin music when I clean house! I dance with my vacuum!!
I'm 73, and I can identify! The assumptions -- including my annual Medicare check, where I'm asked about falls and whether I can still dress and drive myself -- really piss me off. And yesterday, after months of receiving flyers about retirement homes, I got a postcard advertising a free lunch where I could learn about end-of-life options. AARGH!
I hate to admit but I am becoming very confrentational to all the BS being marketed towards us.
No need to be concerned about admitting that! Be proud of it. I am!
I am in my mid 70s and I keep getting hearing aide flyers!
But of course. Because we all must be deaf by the time we reach our 7th decade. Grrr.
Yes I love Monica highlighted how much society influences what it means to get older.. and how she was influenced to not go outside because she is older and she may fall. It was an eye opening article.