Age is defined as the length of time during which a being or thing has existed. It usually refers to one’s chronological age or the actual number of years a person has lived from birth up to the present. But it may also mean biological age. This one may be trickier and harder to pin down but let’s just put it this way.
As we go down the path of our existence, our bodies react differently depending on factors and elements that we are exposed to during our day-to-day. And depending also on how we take care of ourselves, our bodies eventually become frail, worn-down, and sickly, some, more quickly than others. Thus, our biological age may greatly vary even though our chronological age is relatively the same.
Age Is Just A Number
When confronted with the question “How old do you feel?”, we often answer that we feel younger than our actual age. We always want to project that we still have that same vigor. Hence, we say age is just a number and we are only as old as we feel.
Sadly, it seems that our customs, beliefs, and social norms have been subconsciously conditioning us that aging is something that should be perceived as a negative thing. Somehow, our society has been teaching us that aging means becoming less and less capable and being dependent on others for even the simplest things.
Age As A Concept
Some people are old at 18 and some people are young at 90. Time is a concept that humans created.
All of us go through life in our own ways and at our own pace. We act and react to different situations in a wide variety of ways and these experiences, regardless of our actual age, can have a huge impact on the way we look, the way we act, and the way we think. The concept of aging, in relation to time, can be a complicated topic in a sense that one who is ought to be at the peak can turn out to be worn-down as a person who has spent his life on his hands and knees, while someone who is said to be in their “twilight years” can be as fit and fab a someone in their prime years. The same thing applies to our behavior and mindset. For instance, we often hear the words wise beyond his years meaning a young person can have the wisdom and level of maturity like that of an elder. On the other hand, we also meet mature people who can act and throw fits like that of a toddler.
Age Is A State Of Mind
We are all aging. And hearing this can trigger and strike fear in all of us. But is this how it really is supposed to be? No! Thinking of aging as something that is negative won’t do us any good. Instead, we should take control of our situation and believe that there are still a lot of things that we can do or are very much capable of doing. We have a choice. We can either sit on the sidelines and watch others enjoy and live their lives to the fullest or we can take the reins and make the most out of life. Do not let cultural stereotypes hold you back. Don’t let them dictate what you should and should not be doing just because of how old you are. Aging is a state of mind. And as long as you feel and believe that you are capable of living your life the way you want, then no one will be able to prevent you from becoming the best version of yourself no matter what your actual age may be.
Hello Sixty aims to inspire people to stay active, be healthy, and don’t be afraid to try new things after the age of sixty (and beyond). Follow us on Facebook for more tips and how to bloom with age.