The most inspiring thing about this lovely woman is that she is actually old and joyful. (I’m 71) So many articles talk about great things to do when you’re a ‘senior’ and then go on to describe 50 & 60 year olds. They completely deflate us actual seniors - 70s, 80s and 90s+ folks as if we’re beyond inspiring!
You're so right - articles about aging written by people in their 50s is what got me going. Being 90 I feel does give me a bully pulpit. I'm glad you're enjoying my writing. Thanks for sharing.
I am a 71 year old woman- on my fourth career (formerly: textile designer, parent, psychiatric social worker) and now fine artist. Last year l threw myself into the gym and lifting heavy weights. Working at being a silver haired creative powerful barbell lifting senior 👩🎨💪
How fortunate I am to read this today. I turn 70 tomorrow and don't feel any different than I always have. My 94 year old mother is active and well. She is the reason I pay no attention to the number.
I turned 70 this year. I need to break away from the notion that I may only have 7 years left (my mother died at age 77). Your message is positive! Thank you.
Same! Both parents passed in mid 70’s. As I get older I sometimes wonder about my longevity. My lifestyle habits have been very different, so I have a strong curiosity about how these differences will carry me further 😊
Why is it that we use these unreasonable yardsticks to measure our lives? My mother died at 57, my dad at 75, and my brother at 66 (in August). Both my parents died as a result of medical malpractice, and my brother died after a life of alcohol abuse that just broke his body. Yet I have felt guilty each birthday for living longer than my mother and, now, at being healthier than my brother.
Thanks for making your comment here. I thought I was the only person who had these notions.
Yes, age is not a number, it is a state of mind. Concern that you will die at the age a parent died is very common - my mother died at 65 and I was worried as well. I hope you can put that worry aside and be more optimistic about your own future. Thanks for sharing.
I am a 50 year old community-based health science researcher on a new path. I am currently engaging in research that focuses on how our "Seniors" are doing in a richly diverse urban community. Your insights are helping me refine my research curiosities in ways that align with my deep focus on human-affirming research practices. Lots of gratitude!
Thanks for your positive feedback. One person I heard from recently said I was helping them discover what was going on in their own life. It sounds like your work is a part of that discovery project too. Best of luck with your research.
I am 82 and have also written a book about why it is both fulfilling and fun to be old. It is called, like my Substack, The Granny who Stands on her Head, with the subtitle Reflections on growing older. I also write about this here. And in case you are curious, I am a granny and I do stand on my head, which you can see in a two minute video.
You sound amazing. My grandkids talk about me doing push-ups, but I could never stand on my head. It's great to hear from you and know I'm sharing this aging-well space with more like-minded writers. Keep spreading the message!
Katherine, I have known about your work for awhile because I know Maile who talks about it (I have known her online only, but for a few years). I always thought I should make contact, read your book(s) etc, but life takes over and one only does half the things one intends. I do yoga with plenty of grannies who stand on their respective heads, so it is not so amazing to me – you just need to have started earlier. And I like to think that my writing is a whole lot more interesting. I also have a PhD but it is in political theory which I never do, but it did sharpen my thinking skills. I have subscribed to your Substack.
What a wonderful post! I resonate with all that you said. I am turning 82 on Wednesday and, for the past year, have been adapting to a slower pace and more quality time in my life. For years I'd been told I should write a book and I haven't as I thought I wasn't a good enough writer. About a year ago I started a bi-weekly Love-Letter to my list on another platform. In January of this year, I made it weekly and found I loved it and had so many ideas I had a difficult time choosing one to write about. So, I let my intuition guide me and things started flowing. When I became dissatisfied with that platform I looked into Substack and here I am. Your post has inspired me to keep simplifying and creating space in my life for what really matters. Thank you so much!
This is such an inspiring article, thank you. A friend of mine suffered a stroke a few years ago, and we've been talking regularly (he's in the UK, I'm in Canada). It seems many of his friends and family repeatedly told him to accept his disabled status as there was little he could do. He disagreed and we talked a lot about being defiant in the face of this. While not fully recovered, he's doing better with each passing month and is still defying the effects of the stroke—such an inspiring man.
Your friend is such a great role-model for taking control of your life. It certainly isn't easy after a stroke - hats off to your friend, and to you for being there for him. Keep going.
I absolutely love this post! What a great way to reframe aging. The old paradigm needs to be released so we can move forward. We need to start appreciating our growth and development. Many of us spend so much energy mourning the loss of our past, that we completely miss all the blessings aging brings. Thank you so much for your wisdom!
Thank you for this valuable and encouraging piece. I've never been age conscious and attempted to do whatever needed doing - until this year when I retired from my job as an academic Dean. Suddenly I feel old.
Might I suggest that it's time for you to rediscover a new purpose now that you're no longer working. There are so many misconceptions about aging - that's what pulled me to this work. Let me know where you land as the months go by. Best to you.
Thank you, Katherine. I am working on finding my writer's voice again. It was fairly creaky a few months ago, but whatever WD40 I'm using now seems to be helping.
The most inspiring thing about this lovely woman is that she is actually old and joyful. (I’m 71) So many articles talk about great things to do when you’re a ‘senior’ and then go on to describe 50 & 60 year olds. They completely deflate us actual seniors - 70s, 80s and 90s+ folks as if we’re beyond inspiring!
Loved this blog!💕
You're so right - articles about aging written by people in their 50s is what got me going. Being 90 I feel does give me a bully pulpit. I'm glad you're enjoying my writing. Thanks for sharing.
I am a 71 year old woman- on my fourth career (formerly: textile designer, parent, psychiatric social worker) and now fine artist. Last year l threw myself into the gym and lifting heavy weights. Working at being a silver haired creative powerful barbell lifting senior 👩🎨💪
Wow, you are impressive Barbara. This made my day to hear about what you're doing. Keep going!
How fortunate I am to read this today. I turn 70 tomorrow and don't feel any different than I always have. My 94 year old mother is active and well. She is the reason I pay no attention to the number.
Yes, I'm exploring my 90s and learning what this advanced age is really like. Your mother sounds like she's doing well. Happy belated birthday, Kim.
I turned 70 this year. I need to break away from the notion that I may only have 7 years left (my mother died at age 77). Your message is positive! Thank you.
Same! Both parents passed in mid 70’s. As I get older I sometimes wonder about my longevity. My lifestyle habits have been very different, so I have a strong curiosity about how these differences will carry me further 😊
Why is it that we use these unreasonable yardsticks to measure our lives? My mother died at 57, my dad at 75, and my brother at 66 (in August). Both my parents died as a result of medical malpractice, and my brother died after a life of alcohol abuse that just broke his body. Yet I have felt guilty each birthday for living longer than my mother and, now, at being healthier than my brother.
Thanks for making your comment here. I thought I was the only person who had these notions.
Yes, age is not a number, it is a state of mind. Concern that you will die at the age a parent died is very common - my mother died at 65 and I was worried as well. I hope you can put that worry aside and be more optimistic about your own future. Thanks for sharing.
I am a 50 year old community-based health science researcher on a new path. I am currently engaging in research that focuses on how our "Seniors" are doing in a richly diverse urban community. Your insights are helping me refine my research curiosities in ways that align with my deep focus on human-affirming research practices. Lots of gratitude!
Thanks for your positive feedback. One person I heard from recently said I was helping them discover what was going on in their own life. It sounds like your work is a part of that discovery project too. Best of luck with your research.
Thank you
I am 82 and have also written a book about why it is both fulfilling and fun to be old. It is called, like my Substack, The Granny who Stands on her Head, with the subtitle Reflections on growing older. I also write about this here. And in case you are curious, I am a granny and I do stand on my head, which you can see in a two minute video.
You sound amazing. My grandkids talk about me doing push-ups, but I could never stand on my head. It's great to hear from you and know I'm sharing this aging-well space with more like-minded writers. Keep spreading the message!
Katherine, I have known about your work for awhile because I know Maile who talks about it (I have known her online only, but for a few years). I always thought I should make contact, read your book(s) etc, but life takes over and one only does half the things one intends. I do yoga with plenty of grannies who stand on their respective heads, so it is not so amazing to me – you just need to have started earlier. And I like to think that my writing is a whole lot more interesting. I also have a PhD but it is in political theory which I never do, but it did sharpen my thinking skills. I have subscribed to your Substack.
What a wonderful post! I resonate with all that you said. I am turning 82 on Wednesday and, for the past year, have been adapting to a slower pace and more quality time in my life. For years I'd been told I should write a book and I haven't as I thought I wasn't a good enough writer. About a year ago I started a bi-weekly Love-Letter to my list on another platform. In January of this year, I made it weekly and found I loved it and had so many ideas I had a difficult time choosing one to write about. So, I let my intuition guide me and things started flowing. When I became dissatisfied with that platform I looked into Substack and here I am. Your post has inspired me to keep simplifying and creating space in my life for what really matters. Thank you so much!
I love to hear about your writing. Keep going - it's very inspiring.
Thank you for your support! I am definitely going to continue to write here. And I plan to do a Memoir in installments for my Paid subscribers.
This is such an inspiring article, thank you. A friend of mine suffered a stroke a few years ago, and we've been talking regularly (he's in the UK, I'm in Canada). It seems many of his friends and family repeatedly told him to accept his disabled status as there was little he could do. He disagreed and we talked a lot about being defiant in the face of this. While not fully recovered, he's doing better with each passing month and is still defying the effects of the stroke—such an inspiring man.
Your friend is such a great role-model for taking control of your life. It certainly isn't easy after a stroke - hats off to your friend, and to you for being there for him. Keep going.
I absolutely love this post! What a great way to reframe aging. The old paradigm needs to be released so we can move forward. We need to start appreciating our growth and development. Many of us spend so much energy mourning the loss of our past, that we completely miss all the blessings aging brings. Thank you so much for your wisdom!
And thank you for your understanding for the need to re-frame aging. Let's do it - keep going! Best wishes to you.
Turning 80 was exhilarating, and that was 3 years ago. Imma keep going!
Inspiring and positive❤️
I am just 68 but I like to look forward. This is so helpful and encouraging.
Wonderful to hear! A very positive and upbeat piece.
So inspiring!
Thank you for this valuable and encouraging piece. I've never been age conscious and attempted to do whatever needed doing - until this year when I retired from my job as an academic Dean. Suddenly I feel old.
Might I suggest that it's time for you to rediscover a new purpose now that you're no longer working. There are so many misconceptions about aging - that's what pulled me to this work. Let me know where you land as the months go by. Best to you.
Thank you, Katherine. I am working on finding my writer's voice again. It was fairly creaky a few months ago, but whatever WD40 I'm using now seems to be helping.
As an 85 year old widow living on my own for the first time, I definitely am in the process of reinventing my life.
Good for you, Janice. It's so important that you are being intentional in the process. Keep me posted as things evolve. Best to you.