You have heard the terms…positive aging, aging gracefully, pro aging? What do any or all of these really mean? How do you feel about growing old? Did you know that our overall happiness levels actually improve with age? Do you look at aging as a positive chapter in your life that you have earned and want to make the most of it? Let’s talk about How to Age Positively With Grace, how to get “older without getting old”.
I am certainly no expert but I have been reading what I can lately because I am fascinated with the process. My husband is finishing up his last job and will be fully retired in a couple of weeks. Our feelings about aging plays a big role in how we approach it. I think it is important to:
REMAIN HOPEFUL AND POSITIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE
It is so easy to think “we are all going to hell in a hand basket”. Don’t you think our parents and grandparents and their parents and grandparents felt the same way many times? Let’s not be so negative and think of how we can learn from the young.
MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR
Aren’t we Americans too serious about practically everything these days? Find humor in everyday life, laugh at yourself.
LEARN FROM THE PAST BUT BE CURIOUS ABOUT THE FUTURE
We can learn from the current generation. Let’s not be “those old people” that constantly remind our children and grandchildren how great it was “back in the day”. Let’s be curious about why they think what they think and learn from that.
EAT HEALTHY
We love to eat but we try to eat healthy. Carbs are my weakness. We at a lot of salads and vegetable-based soups. We try to eat light particularly at dinner when we can. If you love salads you might enjoy my post on The Best Summer Salads . If you love healthy soups, you might enjoy Eight Favorite Soups your Family will Love.
KEEP IN CONTACT WITH OLD FRIENDS BUT SEEK OUT NEW ONES
People need people. What is the saying? “Old friends are the best friends they can see who you are but they know where you have been”. Be open to finding new friends that might broaden your horizons and open you up to new experiences.
REMAIN MENTALLY SHARP
Use it or lose it. “Learning new things stimulates the brain and builds neural pathways”. Read, take a language course, learn a new game. When Steve came home from the hospital our friend Geoff showed up with his Ipad and said, this is how we are going to learn to pass this time while you are recuperating. You are going to learn to play backgammon. This blog keeps me on my toes mentally, I must tell you. I am constantly researching topics that I think might interest you. Those of us over 65 (there aren’t very many of us) have to keep up with the 20 somethings. We have to keep up with the algorithms on the social channels and we have to constantly work on our SEO. Sure you can pay someone to do all that, but then what? My 80 year old blogging pal,(you can follow Sandra on IG here, and on Youtube here) has helped me with photography and film. I think I have helped her in a few ways as well.
For more information, you might find this article helpful as well Tips for Staying Mentally Sharp.
EXCERCISE
This one is a no brainer. Lack of exercise can lead to increased health risks and even early death. Take walks and hikes, work out with weights. Joan McDonald proves it is never too late to start. You can Train With Joan here.
STAY STYLISH
Okay this one may not be as important as the rest, but I think it is equally important. I think you do too, or you wouldn’t be reading this blog. The way we dress can also affect the way we think and feel. Remaining fashionable allows us to view aging as a positive experience. Being fashionable isn’t reserved for the young, we too can enjoy fashion in our own way on our own terms. You can read about that in my post Owning your own Style After 50, How to Make your Style Unique with Unique Accessories, and Easy Tips to Create a Collected Look in Your Wardrobe
You might enjoy these articles on fashion and aging:
10 Ways to Kick Age Appropriate Standards to the Curb
Style Yourself Chic-Aging in Style
GIVE BACK
Focus on purpose and Connectedness. Volunteer somewhere where you can share your knowledge and expertise with others.
ARE YOU AGING POSITIVELY WITH GRACE?
“George Vaillant, author of Aging Well, uses the long-term longitudinal Study of Adult Development (2002) to suggest six traits for growing old with grace. The majority of older adults maintain a “modest sense of well-being” usually until a few months before they die. Older adults are actually less depressed than the general population. Vaillant concludes that “positive aging means to love, to work, to learn something we did not know yesterday, and to enjoy the remaining precious moments with loved ones.”
The Positive Psychology Institute defines it as, “The process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you age.”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Positive Psychology-Aging Around the World
Ageist Is Madonna Pushing us All to the Borderline
Great Senior Living Aging Gracefully
Concordia Living-Three Successful Components on Aging
Let’s embrace the words of Frank Lloyd Wright “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” Age is a privilege that we’re appreciating more and more as a society. Age brings experience and wisdom, but it also brings freedom. Let’s not forget that.
I know each and everyone of you are embracing positive aging your own way. You are inquisitive, interested, stylish and living your best life with gusto. Share your tips for aging positively in the comments section. How do you embrace your age?
Thank you for reading How to Age Positively With Grace. Let’ start the conversation.
Brilliant post Cindy. So uplifting and inspiring. I loved it! You are such a great role model to me (and many others) in so many ways and ageing gracefully is definitely one of them 🙏🏻
Here is how I think of ahi g: consider the alternative..
I’!! be 78 next week. I’ looked and felt better in my life BUT I’ve survived two very late stage bouts of inflammatory breast cancer, Covid and Long Covid (which is dissipating after 10 months. Hang in tnere), and the long term effects of a double concussion.
You know what? I’m so grateful for all of it. All of it. I love my life and I wake up happy every single day.
Eat the cake, baby.
Hi Linda
You are my hero!!
What a beautiful post Cindy! So inspiring! You make it look easy!
Well, I am trying to embrace life at this age – it looks like we are nowhere near slowing down tho! Hubby is still working nonstop at 66 and I have a million irons in the fire! Trying to play the piano, grow dahlias, read books, color in my coloring books, do puzzles, continue fixing up two fixer uppers and upkeep the properties, tend to two 90 year parents, travel as often as possible while we still can, and start a blog! Whew! I make me tired! 🤣
So much to enjoy and so little time!
this is a topic that I’m definitely passioned about and I think you nailed the most important “DOs”about aging gracefuly, if I were to add something else it would be, supplementation as our bodies set its priorities, it uses what comes from nutrition for its vital functions and we may get deficiencies on non vital body functions like eyesight, joints, skin, hair and cognition,in my early years I have never relied on supplements but as I m getting older I’m feeling and SEEING how import it is.Thank God for reading glasses…
Great post- so uplifting. Thanks for all the reminders on how lucky we are to be alive.
Such an excellent, uplifting post, Cindy!!!
Cindy,
This is great. I feel very fortunate to be healthy and happy at 73! I walk 4miles everyday with my good friend and where we walk is a park that provides beautiful views and lots of wildlife. It rejuvenated me no matter the mood.
xx,
Karen B.
What a wonderful post Cindy! One to reread often! Love the recipe ideas too!
Thank you for such a great trove of inspiration and current ideas on healthy aging!
I think you have nailed all the important points. I like myself so more than I did as a young woman and this is my favorite time of life. I never would have guessed it.
Cindy — You always ht the right note. I think we need to welcome each new year joyfully. They are a gift. I take better care of myself and exercise more in my 70’s than I did in my 50’s. I think my word right now is savor — food, friends, books, new places and people. My husband traveled a lot and for long stretches, so we wondered how we would do as retirees. I think we laugh now more than ever, we cook together, walk, and love to travel. And we give each other space when we need it. It’s a whole new chapter! Congratulations to you and Steve — you’re going to love it!
Cindy, another inspiring post! I have been retired for 7 years now and have found I must keep busy to keep my mind and body active. So I foster rescue dogs (sporting breeds), i register new voters, volunteer as a Master Gardener, am a election judge , and a substitute teacher once a week . That makes a difference . I can overdo it at times because i take on more that i can chew (do I sound like a Texan?) It helps me afford the new clothes (Ha!) that makes me feel confident and in style. It is nice to have a young woman stop to tell me that she loves my blazer . But I digress. Going to try the pho soup recipe this week. Love your selections of topics,BTW!
PS- I get a lot of emails about Labs in shelters in your area. They tug at my heart. I want to help all of them. Can’t wait until you get a new dog! They do keep you young!
Enjoy your blogs, but this one was amazing. Interesting links. Must have taken a lot of time to write, but greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Great post, Cindy. I also have found a good sense of humor is mandatory to enjoy this chapter in life.
This is a great post, Cindy. I’m going to save it and “check-in” with it occasionally to see how I’m doing!! If I watch too much news I tend to get upset and angry about the state of our country. I find if I start the day with listing 5 things I’m grateful for and end the day with prayer – turning all the problems and anxiety over to God – I sleep better and feel better. I hope you and Steve enjoy his retirement. When my husband and I retired it was a real adjustment, but it has been a blessing getting to know each other all over again!!
Thank you for this post and all the interesting links. I truly believe that at any age it is important to be able to recognize the moments of joy, happiness, elation and actually call yourself out on them. Be able to say to yourself, (and others) today I (fill in the blank) and it made me so happy. Confirming the moments of happiness adds value to our lives and although the life we share will try and break us, we will find moments of joy.
One of my favorite quotes:” We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing”. Enjoy Steve’s retirement and more time to play!
Wonderful topic Cindy! We must continue to evolve, grow and learn – everyday! And having a great outfit doesn’t hurt either. Congratulations to Steve on retiring! You will both wonder how he ever had time to work. Great reminders on the importance of self care and positivity! My wonderful husband had a life changing health issue 20 years ago. The challenges are enormous and yet he remains so positive. We may not climb mountains, but we’re not letting the hills get in our way!
I love this. I would love to share it on my newsletter at PeacockRidgeFarm.com.
Blessings to you.
Hi Cindy,
Really enjoyed this post in particular. I’m about to retire next month at 65 and where I had reservations about actually acknowledging that my working life is coming to an end, I’m finally embracing it. I plan to do more walking and yoga and have started taking piano lessons which has actually been fun (even at this age). I’ve managed to become a pretty great cook over the years but never seemed to be able to master bread baking, so I’m going to see if I can accomplish this as well. There is a Stoic quote that I love that I thought I’d share:
“Let us cherish and love old age; for it is full of pleasure if one knows how to use it. Fruits are most welcome when almost over; youth is most charming at its close; the last drink delights the toper, the glass which souses him and puts the finishing touch on his drunkenness.”
As always, you “nail it”. Perfect timing as we are in the midst of the long stretch of grey skies and cold temperatures. Our little bird bath was iced over yesterday and I live in North San Diego county! Yikes! While I still work and won’t retire for 684 days (ha! who’s counting?), I enjoy my 55+ community with my fabulous girlfriends. We get together at least once a month for a “field trip”. Yesterday was the SD Wild Animal Park! What a great time we had. We share laughter with a toast and sorrows with a hug.
Your reminders on eating healthy are always helpful as I often drift back to the mid-west diet of my childhood. Good on occasion but not as daily consumption. Couple the better diet with exercise, easy to do in my warmer climate, and that helps keep my back straight and lightness in my step.
Sending healing thoughts to Steve and gratitude to you for sharing your inspirations!!! xox
p.s.What’s an SEO? hahaha
It never hurts to have a gentle reminder of what to focus on. This is such a wonderful topic and what I need just now when I feel rather overwhelmed by a number of things that are going on in my life. I do find joy every day and focus on how fortunate I am.
Thanks, Cindy, we all need this reminder from time to time. Our parents and grandparents faced many difficulties, having survived the Depression and WWII and the Korean War. Frank Lloyd Wright suffered unspeakable tragedies in his life. We are each responsible for our own happiness, for remembering to be grateful for the goodness in our lives, and for showing that gratitude.
Hi Cindy,
First congratulations to you and Steve on his upcoming retirement. A new, well deserved season in your lives. My beloved husband retires in 6 weeks and we are moving HOME from the Seattle area back to SLO County. Can hardly wait.
Regarding aging…with out sounding too Pollyanna (showing my age on that reference) I believe every day is a gift. After a life filled with much loss of family and dear friends at an early age…what a joy and privilege to be alive. I’ve embraced my wrinkles, age spots, saggy….well…a lot with humor. However I still work diligently on health, fitness, attitude and finding humor in the everyday. I do so enjoy reading your blog. Your’s is my absolutely favorite!
Cindy, you knocked it out of the ball park with today’s blog. I have been in bit of a funk lately so this is just what I needed to hear! These long, gray and snowy winters in Nebraska can be a bit rough on one’s psyche. Thanks so much for all the hard work that you put into the blog and for helping us grow older gracefully with your words of wisdom!
Another well written post. I only recently started following you and I love how you explore more than just fashion. Your posts are always positive and inspiring. In a sea of negativity it is so refreshing to read. And I totally agree more humor is needed in our lives, especially as we age! Thanks so much for all the work and thought you put into your posts. It is very much appreciated.
Hi Carolyn
Thank you so much for following me. I think you will love the other women here on the blog.
Dear Cindy – Exactly what I needed this morning. An incredibly thought provoking blog today. Your articles inspire me to stay active, volunteer, dress for “senior” success and create a welcoming and interesting home! We went to the Phoenix Open last week and I told my friends that I was channeling my inner Cindy Hattersley with my outfit! Thank you! Anna Bifano
Hi Anna
I hope you had a fabulous time at The Open! We are looking forward to doing those kinds of things again once Steve is back on both feet. Oh and thank you for “channelling” me. You ladies keep me on my toes!!
Don’t forget the pooches! Your dog is gorgeous. Dogs bring so much joy to live and they are good personal trainers for getting us out to walk!
Hi Mary
Unfortunately, Beau passed away a few months ago. We do plan to get another dog as soon as Steve is back on both feet! They do so much to enrich our lives, don’t they?
Can’t tell you how much I enjoy every single one of your blogs. It’s the first thing I open when I see it in my mail box – always a day brightener! You have inspired me to take stock of not only my closet but my attitude about aging. Dressing and living with intention each day!
Random question – I need to replace my Jean jacket – any recommendations? Don’t want anything too tight or small. I’m 68 – 5’8 – 165. So many of the jackets are designed for teens!
Thanks Cindy – you are a blessing!
Hi Kate
Hooray for dressing and living with intention every day! I still think the Gap Icon Jacket is hard to beat. I need to get a new one as well, mine is from the old days when everything was overly fitted. I will just buy the Gap Icon https://rstyle.me/+DqL-jsHHeGEDjJj3-Ty_SQ
I recently purchased this jean jacket at JCrew Factory Outlet in a medium, due to gaining the 20+ pounds during Covid. I’m 5’9″ and 175 lbs. https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/jackets/jean-jackets/classic-jean-jacket/BA036?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=blue-denim&colorProductCode=BA036
Thank you for your reply – on it!
Your blog is always spot on with me! I’m from San Diego, but recently stayed in Paso.
I took your example and stayed at Cheval Blanc and wine tasted at Benom. Love your fashion and garden style! I always look forward to your posts! Thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Kathleen
I am so glad you stayed at Hotel Cheval. They do such a great job. Their newer property The Stables is great too but much more casual and family friendly. Benom is one of our faves!
Another thoughtful post, Cindy. As I read your suggestions I kept thinking about how only one thing – good health- is the basis for everything else we encounter in our aging journey. I know some health issues are out of our control, but healthy diet and exercise go a long way. Thanks for nudging us along!!
Hi Vicki
Good Health is the key you are so right.
Well Cindy you nailed it! THIS gives is the sense of who you are and is why I read your blog faithfully! Thanks for hitting so many of the ways to “grow” well…note I left out “old”!
It is a blessing to have time to reflect on life, health and spirit!
Parker Palmer says we are now “on the brink’ a much more lovely term than over the hill! Lol!
❤️
Hi Shari
I love the Parker Palmer quote!