Aging is a Dirty Word

Do you have any idea how many of my clients about 45 and up are worried about aging?  Why is it such a dirty word?

Some of the thoughts...or misconceptions....are from what we learned throughout our life.  Of course the media plays a part.  We see young people in their 20s as the only worthwhile thing to be.  No wonder our country could use a little help.  This is true for men and women.  You've all been hypnotized by what you have been watching.  You have been duped into feeling bad and aren't using your valuable time and knowledge for the betterment of yourself and others.  So...let's reframe our thoughts here. 

There is value in everyone, at every age, yet we are so busy worrying about "aging" that we neglect to enjoy life.  Enjoy it!

Enjoy it?  You mean life is meant to be enjoyed?  Um...yes. 

Enjoy your wisdom.  Acquired wisdom is a gift that you worked for.  Don't undervalue it and, please, use it to your advantage.  I certainly don't want to be twenty and that is the truth.  My priorities are different.  My thoughts are different.  My focus is different.

Yet men and women still come in and tell me how they gain weight over forty and there is nothing you can do.  There is nothing you can do if you want to do nothing.  Whatever is important to you, you will give your time to.  So if being physically fit is your goal, then do it.  If losing weight is your goal, then do it.  You are more capable than you think.  With your acquired wisdom, spend your time doing things that make you happy.  Try to weed out (or limit) the things that don't make you happy.  But by all means do the things that make you feel good.

You don't have to look at the world through twenty year old eyes the rest of your life.  Look at them in the moment...through the age of the eyes you have...and appreciate you.  Make the necessary changes so that you feel good.  Don't create goals based upon your goals when you were twenty.  Likely you don't have the same focus.  And isn't that wonderful!

We are not "aging" and, therefore, no longer valuable to society and ourselves.  So we are maturing, gathering wisdom, using our wisdom, fine-tuning our life, shifting our priorities.  Despite what you see in the media, you ARE VALUABLE, more than you realize.  You have a lot to contribute to others.

Appreciate yourself.  Prioritize for your personal happiness.  Feel as good as you can.  Stop measuring yourself by the standards of others.   When you reframe your thoughts...from aging and negative thoughts....to seasoned, professional, mature, valuable, knowledgeable, etc, then life can change for you. 

Seasoned people get the higher paying jobs.  Their knowledge and life experience is sought after and desired.  See yourself as that person.

Then laugh and enjoy life.  Make time for what they truly enjoy.  Don't worry about flaws and being like everyone else; stand out. Be an individual with value and substance.  Your perception of getting older matters.  Do you want to be the aging person or the person who has learned to enjoy life and who they really are?  Your choice.