The #1 Barrier to Aging Well
Ways to Break Through
Pop-up Discussion #4 asks the following question:. What do you see as your biggest challenge to aging well? This is yet another opportunity for us to plan for a healthy and happy aging experience.
As we get older, sharing ideas and information with others becomes increasingly important. These discussions enable us to express our thoughts and share valuable insights.
If you read the newsletter, I assume that, like me, you’re interested in aging well. Experience tells me, though, it’s not as easy as it sounds, and I was wondering what challenges you think could arise and how you plan to handle them.
My husband and I met when we were 12; we were married 67 years ago tomorrow, July 12th, and he passed away in 2021. I’ve created a new life for myself, and I’m relatively healthy. However, the #1 barrier to aging well has been and is dealing with my emotions.
I’m a psychologist and had no clue that this torrent of feelings would come barrelling through and remain for so long. Yes, grief and loss, but also doubt, anger, guilt, and fear have created a lack of self-confidence, loneliness, and indecision.
My best solution so far seems to be letting the feelings run their course rather than trying to eliminate or manage them; they seem to pass on their own.
What do you see as your biggest challenge to aging well, and what might you recommend?
A few guidelines.
Comments are friendly and supportive.
I reserve the right to delete posts if necessary.
I’m not a medical professional or counselor, so I won't be offering advice.
Let’s get started, and welcome!
Experience tells me that aging well is not as easy as it sounds, and I was wondering what challenges you think could arise and how you plan to handle them.
As I entered my 70s (now 75) what surprised me was the what felt like the acceleration of physical problems--mostly minor bone, joint, and tendon issues. None of which were necessarily new, but in the past they wouldn't all come at once (it feels like with a single infection or injury there is a cascade of other places causing problems. I have an underlying "syndrome" which has caused me to be on prednisone and thyroid replacement for over 30 years, and I suspect that this plus age in the cause of this change. But what it means is a degree of emotional fatigue. In past. problem would erupt, I would deal with it (often requiring I cut back on walking which is crucial to my health), then slowly get back to "normal," and it might be years before that problem would pop again (like plantar fasciitis) Now, I barely deal with one thing, when the next problem pops up. So I have been working on accepting that this is the new normal, and have gratitude that none of it is life threatening, and that I am able to catch days and some times weeks, when there is no acute source of pain. If I continue to see this is part of normal daily maintenance (of my house, my body, and my emotional well-being) then I seem able to let go of my frustration that I am having to spend more time on that maintenance on a daily basis. That plus making sure my days always have time for with laughter, nature, reading, and service to others, are how I am dealing with aging.