Getting old is a fact of life, but it’s something that so many people don’t enjoy. So if you have another birthday soon approaching, you might be feeling sad about time passing by so fast. The good news is that growing older has many benefits, many of which most of us typically forget.
By learning to accept you’re getting old, you’ll find that in time, you enjoy your life for what it is, no matter what stage of your life you are currently in. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to accept you’re getting old and be okay with it.
Being Mortal
by Atul Gawande
⏱ 14 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
Acknowledge the Good Things About Growing Up
Getting older isn’t all bad, as there are many good things that come with each passing year. For many of us, the later years of our lives offer us more stability, security, and enjoyment, as we’ve worked hard for so many years to ensure our lives are the way we want them to be. While your teenage years and 20’s were no doubt fun, they usually come with a lot of worry about the future and financial struggles. As you grow up, you probably have your life in order more so that you can enjoy what truly matters to you. Take the time to appreciate the rewards of all of your hard work during your younger years and realize that growing up isn’t as bad as you might think.
Remember All That You’ve Achieved In Your Life So Far
We often fail to take the time to think about everything we’ve achieved in our lives so far, but this is something you should take the time to do each year. Before your next birthday, think about the remarkable changes you’ve made to your life in the last year. When you stop and think about all your accomplishments, you’ll be proud of the steps you’ve made forward in your life to become a better person. Most of us wouldn’t want to go back in time if we had the choice, as there are so many challenges that come with being younger. However, by appreciating all you’ve done so far and remembering all that’s ahead of you, you’ll be much more content with where you are right now.
Age is Just a Number
For many people today, age is just a number. However, you are only as old as you feel, so don’t let another birthday stop you from doing what you love. In fact, you should use your age as motivation to go out there and do everything you’ve ever dreamed of, whether that’s traveling the world or taking on an extreme challenge. Try to reframe your mindset about growing older, and you’ll find that you take much more pleasure in your life each day. Instead of focusing on the time that has passed, focus on what’s ahead of you and the exciting things you have to look forward to in the upcoming years.
Keep Trying New Things
It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby or return to something you loved doing in your childhood. If you regret giving up dancing or soccer, then why not give it a go again? Your age shouldn’t be something that stops you from enjoying your life, so don’t let it get in the way of making the most of every day that you have. Most of us know how precious life is, so make sure you keep trying new things each year as you grow older. You’ll find there are many clubs and events that are geared towards different age groups, allowing you to connect with like-minded individuals at any stage of your life. We also encourage you to keep making new friends with people of all ages, who will remind you that age is just a number when it comes to friendship as well.
Accept That You Can’t Change Your Age
Age is one of the few things in life that we can’t change, and the sooner you accept this, the better your life will be for it. We recommend that you accept this fact as soon as possible, and enjoy every moment you have in this current time. Life passes us by in the blink of an eye, which is why you need to treat every day like it’s precious. Don’t spend so much time worrying about the future or the past that you forget to enjoy today, as you never know when it could be your last day.
Don’t Put Too Much Pressure On Yourself
While we encourage everyone to keep trying new things as they get older, don’t put too much pressure on yourself in this area. If you find you become unwell or slow down as you age, remember this is perfectly normal too. Please don’t compare yourself to other people who are the same age as you, or you’ll find that you don’t enjoy everything you have in your life for what it is. The more pressure you put on yourself, the more time you spend living in your head instead of out in the real world. Remember that life is a journey, and it will naturally have its ups and downs. The sooner you accept life and your current life stage for what it is, the more you will enjoy every moment of your future.
Growing older is something that is completely unavoidable, but for many people, it becomes more enjoyable the longer you live. Remember, life is an amazing gift, and it’s never too late to try something new or take a different path in life. Try to remove any pressure you’ve placed on yourself about your age. Avoid thinking about what you should have achieved by now, as this will only take away from the enjoyment you feel in your life. By following the tips we’ve shared above, we hope you can look forward to every year ahead of you and make the most of each day you have moving forward.
What Is Snapreads?
With the Snapreads app, you get the key insights from the best nonfiction books in minutes, not hours or days. Our experts transform these books into quick, memorable, easy-to-understand insights you can read when you have the time or listen to them on the go.
