Aging Gracefully: How Do I Do That?
I was checking out at the grocery store yesterday when the “bagger” asked me if I wanted help out to my car. I thought, “Do I really look that old, like I need help to my car?” I think I am a bit sensitive because today is my birthday.
How to age gracefully is the question.
Yes, I am aware that I am not forty anymore. The funny thing is that I think of myself as I was in my forties, except when I look in the mirror.
Do you ever wonder how people make assumptions about capability and age? I have experienced ageism and being stereotyped because of how I look. It’s not that easy for someone who feels 40 inside.
There is a more positive way to look at my grocery store situation. Maybe the “bagger” was using their manners to offer assistance. Perhaps it had nothing to do with my age. There is always more than one perspective from which to view a situation.
Age Is Just A Number
We’ve all heard the saying, “Age is just a number.” But how do we translate that into everyday life? How do we dismantle ageist stereotypes and cultivate a genuinely inclusive mindset for ourselves and those around us?
