Aging brings self-awareness, confidence

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/10/2018 (2670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As I look around at people of my generation, a sudden deep awareness hits me… we are second in line to be called ‘seniors’.

In the next generation — 25 to 30 years or so — many of my friends, colleagues and, of course, me, will be in our 70s or older. For some, this fact evokes fear, worry and anxiety. I see evidence of this as people make a mad rush to the health food stores for the latest enzyme extracts, ‘superfoods’ and all sorts of vitamins and minerals, all for the purpose of delaying getting older.

But is a number truly an indicator of being old or young? I say an emphatic “No!”

As my beautiful, vivacious, and very stylish mother — a woman who has found great liberation of thought and freedom of action in being an ‘older senior’ told me numerous times in our Jamaican vernacular: “Me no ‘fraid fi sey wey me tink, me ol’!” (“I am not afraid to say what I think, I am old!”)
My mom has the right frame of mind. I believe she sees aging as an accomplishment, her full experience of life as an asset to be used. I believe she uses her longevity as a matriarch of our family to speak freely, not allowing anything or anyone to inhibit her.  This, I believe comes from confidence developed over the years that she knows who she is and that she really belongs to no one here on this Earth — she is free!

I must say my mom’s attitude is rubbing off on me, as well — to a certain point. I recently mentioned to her that, as my own hair becomes whiter each year, I will no longer be applying henna to darken it. I thought she would applaud what I thought was a very liberating thought around celebrating my own physical changes as I strive to get to the ‘senior’ level.

But she quickly and gently reminded me: “No Phyllis, yuh too young fi do dat.”   

I smiled, as I would have been surprised if she actually agreed with me.

Back to folks working hard at delaying the aging process…

While in graduate school, I decided to pursue a graduate certificate in aging alongside my main master’s degree, and I am glad I did.

I learned about some incredible ways in which seniors globally grow more in confidence, acquire a deeper sense of self, their place in the world and of course who they are among family and friends.
What struck me most was their full embracing of being a ‘senior.’

Where are you on the number line of aging boldly?

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis is a director and executive coach at Ultimate Potentials Corporation. Contact her at living@ultimatepotentials.com