Thursday, November 03, 2022

Sharing Where I'm At In My Life Right Now, With Aging

Last month I turned 67. And although that is far from being a fossil, I don't feel as though I'm 67; I feel more like I'm still in my 30s. At work, a lot of my younger coworkers will often say, "Ron, where do you get all your energy? Don't you ever get tired?" To be honest, I've always had a lot of energy. It's something I was born with. For instance, except for my good friend Kelly, who walks fast, I walk faster than most people. I walk like a roadrunner; leaving pedestrians in the dust. 

But yes, my physicality has gradually changed over time; particularly within the past few years. Such as my eyesight with reading; my joints become stiff now and then; I have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate more often; forgetfulness; and the development of crepey skin on my neck, arms, and legs. But I've learned to accept these things because let's be honest, no matter what any of us do to care for the physical, our body will change as we age. Yet I discovered something that makes aging so much easier. Keeping a positive attitude while remaining realistic by embracing the aging process instead of clutching on to what was, because what was, was. 

I still (and will continue to) take care of myself by being conscious of what I eat; getting a certain amount of exercise and meditation; sleep; taking supplements; and caring for my skin. 

However, I think of myself as an automobile. My body requires maintenance and tune-ups, but eventually it will become vintage.  

And because I've been in the beauty industry for most of my life, I realize this even more. No cream or medispa injection procedure will bring back what was. So, it's wise to face the reality that we will all age. But that doesn't mean we lose beauty. 

Besides, why are beauty and aging two separate things? We can age and be beautiful.

And another thing, I think the word anti-aging should be obliterated from all cosmetic products. As if aging is something we need to feel anti about.

But more than my physicality, what I've noticed most about how I've changed are my thoughts, attitudes, and feelings about myself and life. And how I choose to live my next chapter. 

I used to feel that my job was who I was. For most of my life, all of my energy went into whatever career I had. That's how I identified myself and my worth. Through my work. I used to work my ass off by doing more than what they expected of me. I never said no to anything. I was a total workhorse. And that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. Or I wouldn't have done it. I loved to work. And I still do. 

But ever since the world changed overnight two years ago, my perception has drastically changed. Like most people, my life came to a standstill in which work was no longer happening; particularly in my line of work, which requires "in person" customer service. The pandemic forced me to stand still and reevaluate who I was without my work. And it was a huge challenge for me because that's where my time and attention were directed. Rarely did I ever take a vacation and use my PTO. All I did was work, work, work.    

Therefore, when the lockdown happened, I seriously had to examine who I was without work. 

But I remember feeling that if I used that time as a way for me to see what I needed to learn from it, I would. All things happen for a reason. We just need to leave ourselves open to having that reason revealed. 

After much consideration, I made the choice to take early social security, so that I wouldn't have to work as much. I realized how important it was for me to chill and take time to enjoy things about my life outside of work. 

I will never fully retire because I truly find joy in going to work and being of service to others. I believe I am here to serve and give back to this world and the people who live in it. 

But I have a completely different outlook about my work than in the past. 

Now my job works for me, rather than me working for my job. I no longer need to work all the hours I used to because of my social security supplement. I now only work part time, which gives me a lot of time to experience different things in my life. 

And I no longer see my job as my sole identity, or value.

When I am working, I'm 100% focused on it. However, when I am not working, I don't think about it at all. And I no longer say yes to everything. If I am asked to work an additional shift and I want to, I will. But if I don't, I won't.

I am really enjoying where I'm at in my life right now. 

I feel free from the self-inflicted pressure I used to place on myself to always do, do, do.

And yes, my body has changed and will continue to change. But I know that's part of the aging process.

I would like to conclude this post by sharing something I used to think about when I was a kid. 

I don't know why, but I couldn't wait to get older. On a physical level, I used to look at older people and think they were so attractive. To me, they had such interesting faces with character - faces that had a history and looked lived in. I also had a fascination with gray and salt and pepper hair. On a deeper level, I sensed I would gain a clearer understanding of life and where I fit in. I somehow knew that the longer I lived, the more comfortable I would become in my own skin

And all those thoughts I had as a kid, did in fact, come true.

As I've aged, I have become more and more comfortable - body, mind, and spirit. 

I have a deeper understanding of life and where I fit in.

My life at this moment feels much more relaxed and simple, but adventurous. 

I am tremendously grateful for my life, including the difficulties, and where it's taken me... 

   

Have an extraordinary rest of your week, everyone! 💗