When I started the newsletter, one of my goals was to age well and share what I learned with others — that’s still true. However, now that I’m four years older — and wiser, I know it’s more of a challenge and requires more effort than planned.
Thank you for this, Janice, and thanks to all your commenters as well. I agree 1000% with everything that’s being said here.
Mindset is key!! In my book, The New Old, I reference that same study that showed a positive mindset about aging increased longevity by 7.6 years (it’s from the Yale School of Public Health). So powerful!! One of the three principles in my book is Master Your Mindset. 😊
Hi Janice, at 92, I am well versed to the challenges of aging. I wrote an my Subsctack, The Pathfinder, how it feels to join the ranks of the frail elderly. If you would like to repost this to your readers, here's the link: https://pathfindernewsletter.substack.com/p/92-and-reporting-for-duty.
I like to call myself "the Horsepowered Pathfinder" because I found my path via my passion for horses & the life wisdom they have that they can teach to humans. So of course I've subscribed to your newsletter now 🙂
"Family members are willing, but I dislike bothering them, and my pride wants me to figure it all out." This is my own latest concern. I am stubborn. I want to do it myself and have to learn to surrender to it. eg - Just this morning I was trying to get the five knobs off the front of the stove for cleaning, and realized I could not figure out how to do it. Made me so mad! I still haven't called my son... but I WILL have to. Thank you Janice, for always reminding me I am not alone in this.
I am pushing 80 and loving my life. Last summer I bought an e-trike and never have I ever had so much fun! I wanted to ride my two-wheeler but my body had other plans so I had to adapt. I've always prioritized my health and now, in old age, my body rewards me. I know I am old and I love my age and feel grateful I'm alive and enjoying myself. I am blessed with a husband who is 86 and we love each other and are glad for the day we married in 1969. Life is more than good, life is a blessing! Here's to old age, I'm not complaining, ever.
Reading this from Australia and from my perspective as a 75 year old. So much here I could agree with & do. It IS hard though, even moreso for you as a widow, getting older. My father lived till 100 and he was not a fan of being "that old" because of the losses he endured like becoming blind from macular degeneration & with very limited mobility he was confined to his apartment. His mind remained sharp as a tack!
In my case I tend to see the glass half empty & Im married to someone who sees it half full!
He & I both have chronic health conditions & we adapt our days & lifestyle around them
I am "not looking forward " to some of the well known age related changes so we are both doing what we can to live in the now & gratitude is something I've practised writing about for past 5 years
Thanks for another newsletter to inform and make me think!
I enjoyed reading your newsletter because I think so many of the things you talk about are common to all of us who are privileged to live into the higher numbers. I find the key is gratitude. I have a God who loves me no matter how wrinkled I get. This morning I was bringing my groceries to the car and thinking how tired my legs get after shopping. Just then a dear older lady walked by with such spinal issues that she walked totally bent over her cart. Right there in the parking lot I stopped and repented from my grumbling, thanking God that I can walk straight without pain. I may walk slow but I get where I'm going. It's all in cultivating a grateful heart.
I try to plan something special for my birthday. This might be dinner out or a play, concert, etc. For my 60th, I wanted a beach vacation in the Caribbean, but Covid delayed that a couple of years! However, I finally went and liked it so much that we (my daughter and I) returned the next year!
Whether the celebration is big or small, we should acknowledge our good fortune to see another birthday because many people don't. That's a means of gratitude, recognizing that our life has meaning and ensuring that we honor it in some way that brings us joy.
Around the beginning of the year I started writing about who I wanted to be in the near future. This has helped me revisit all my individual goals and see them as paths to the future me I want be. I haven’t had to discard any goals but it has helped me see them in a different light. My newsletter is not my work or my income stream because I want to be productive, it is a pathway to building a positive mindset, it fits perfectly into my lifestyle allowing me time and income to travel. The writing helps me to know who I am and helps build my self respect. It’s these things that are part of the future me I want to be. Most of the characteristics of the future me are not affected by aging. I plan to explore interesting places, have good posture and have healthy eating habits and be grounded and intentional. I can see that I may have to adjust my pathways but the ultimate goal of being that future me continues to be valid. Thinking like this has increased my joy and positivity knowing that I will still be the me I want to be no matter how old I am. Reading your post and writing this comment has helped me think even clearer about how this mindset shift is helping me. Getting help with solving certain problems as I age is just a new pathway to being warm and assertive and continuing to enjoy life. It is not going to deplete my self esteem.
Hi Val, I have also found writing helpful in sorting all this out. Adjusting our pathways but not losing focus on our goals is a good way of putting it.
Hi Janice, I'm 82 and after a break of 10 years have written a book on aging well, 'Don't Act Your Age' being published in September. Loved your article and agree with all of it and your empathetic style.
I am 83 and so far I have enjoyed getting older. I have written a book about why - with the same title as my Substack. Yes, the wheels fall off here and there but I love the confidence. My one piece of advice is in my post called Just Keep Going.
When I started the newsletter, one of my goals was to age well and share what I learned with others — that’s still true. However, now that I’m four years older — and wiser, I know it’s more of a challenge and requires more effort than planned.
Thank you for this, Janice, and thanks to all your commenters as well. I agree 1000% with everything that’s being said here.
Mindset is key!! In my book, The New Old, I reference that same study that showed a positive mindset about aging increased longevity by 7.6 years (it’s from the Yale School of Public Health). So powerful!! One of the three principles in my book is Master Your Mindset. 😊
Hi Erika, I have preordered the book and look forward to reading it. I think mastering our mindset is key.
Wonderful - hope you enjoy it and find it helpful!
Hi Janice, at 92, I am well versed to the challenges of aging. I wrote an my Subsctack, The Pathfinder, how it feels to join the ranks of the frail elderly. If you would like to repost this to your readers, here's the link: https://pathfindernewsletter.substack.com/p/92-and-reporting-for-duty.
Hi Ronald, Thank you. I will check out the site. The frail elderly is certainly another population to consider.
I like to call myself "the Horsepowered Pathfinder" because I found my path via my passion for horses & the life wisdom they have that they can teach to humans. So of course I've subscribed to your newsletter now 🙂
Thank you for subscribing, Lorraine. I hope you enjoy reading the articles as much as I enjoy writing them.
"Family members are willing, but I dislike bothering them, and my pride wants me to figure it all out." This is my own latest concern. I am stubborn. I want to do it myself and have to learn to surrender to it. eg - Just this morning I was trying to get the five knobs off the front of the stove for cleaning, and realized I could not figure out how to do it. Made me so mad! I still haven't called my son... but I WILL have to. Thank you Janice, for always reminding me I am not alone in this.
Great advice for everyone, regardless of circumstances!
Here's another vote for gratitude 🙇♂️
Ain’t that the fucking truth.
I love this Janice, and your guidance is spot on. 💕
I am pushing 80 and loving my life. Last summer I bought an e-trike and never have I ever had so much fun! I wanted to ride my two-wheeler but my body had other plans so I had to adapt. I've always prioritized my health and now, in old age, my body rewards me. I know I am old and I love my age and feel grateful I'm alive and enjoying myself. I am blessed with a husband who is 86 and we love each other and are glad for the day we married in 1969. Life is more than good, life is a blessing! Here's to old age, I'm not complaining, ever.
Noel, that is so great. Thank you for sharing your story. Life is a blessing - that's for sure.
Reading this from Australia and from my perspective as a 75 year old. So much here I could agree with & do. It IS hard though, even moreso for you as a widow, getting older. My father lived till 100 and he was not a fan of being "that old" because of the losses he endured like becoming blind from macular degeneration & with very limited mobility he was confined to his apartment. His mind remained sharp as a tack!
In my case I tend to see the glass half empty & Im married to someone who sees it half full!
He & I both have chronic health conditions & we adapt our days & lifestyle around them
I am "not looking forward " to some of the well known age related changes so we are both doing what we can to live in the now & gratitude is something I've practised writing about for past 5 years
Thanks for another newsletter to inform and make me think!
Warm wishes
Denyse x
Thank you, Denyse, and both of you take care.
I enjoyed reading your newsletter because I think so many of the things you talk about are common to all of us who are privileged to live into the higher numbers. I find the key is gratitude. I have a God who loves me no matter how wrinkled I get. This morning I was bringing my groceries to the car and thinking how tired my legs get after shopping. Just then a dear older lady walked by with such spinal issues that she walked totally bent over her cart. Right there in the parking lot I stopped and repented from my grumbling, thanking God that I can walk straight without pain. I may walk slow but I get where I'm going. It's all in cultivating a grateful heart.
Hi Dee, So very true... focusing on what we have rather than what we don't have seems so very wise.
I try to plan something special for my birthday. This might be dinner out or a play, concert, etc. For my 60th, I wanted a beach vacation in the Caribbean, but Covid delayed that a couple of years! However, I finally went and liked it so much that we (my daughter and I) returned the next year!
Whether the celebration is big or small, we should acknowledge our good fortune to see another birthday because many people don't. That's a means of gratitude, recognizing that our life has meaning and ensuring that we honor it in some way that brings us joy.
Hi, I agree - birthdays become more about celebrating the opportunity to have it. As you say, many people don't get that gift.
Around the beginning of the year I started writing about who I wanted to be in the near future. This has helped me revisit all my individual goals and see them as paths to the future me I want be. I haven’t had to discard any goals but it has helped me see them in a different light. My newsletter is not my work or my income stream because I want to be productive, it is a pathway to building a positive mindset, it fits perfectly into my lifestyle allowing me time and income to travel. The writing helps me to know who I am and helps build my self respect. It’s these things that are part of the future me I want to be. Most of the characteristics of the future me are not affected by aging. I plan to explore interesting places, have good posture and have healthy eating habits and be grounded and intentional. I can see that I may have to adjust my pathways but the ultimate goal of being that future me continues to be valid. Thinking like this has increased my joy and positivity knowing that I will still be the me I want to be no matter how old I am. Reading your post and writing this comment has helped me think even clearer about how this mindset shift is helping me. Getting help with solving certain problems as I age is just a new pathway to being warm and assertive and continuing to enjoy life. It is not going to deplete my self esteem.
Hi Val, I have also found writing helpful in sorting all this out. Adjusting our pathways but not losing focus on our goals is a good way of putting it.
Hi Janice, I'm 82 and after a break of 10 years have written a book on aging well, 'Don't Act Your Age' being published in September. Loved your article and agree with all of it and your empathetic style.
Thanks very much for this, Janice. So much truth and so much heart in one brief article!
I am 83 and so far I have enjoyed getting older. I have written a book about why - with the same title as my Substack. Yes, the wheels fall off here and there but I love the confidence. My one piece of advice is in my post called Just Keep Going.
Hi Ann, What great advice! Just keep on - keepin' on!