Bill from A Silly Place closed out 2021 by answering the thought-provoking question: “How old do I feel?” He then challenged several bloggers—including myself—to answer the same question. It’s a great question. Should the date on our birth certificate define us or is age just a number?
Where did the years go?
The question comes at an interesting time. In June, it will be 40 years since I graduated from high school. You don’t have to be a math expert to figure out how old that makes me. But, if you’re mathematically-challenged like me, I will make it easy for you. I’ll be 58 in July.
40 years? 58? Wow! I often ask myself “How did that happen?” Where did the years go?
So, how old do I feel? Well, it depends…
My body knows it’s 58
Younger people—and even people my own age—probably look at me and see an old lady.
I’ve never been one to obsess over physical appearance, but losing my hair during chemotherapy 11 years ago gave me a whole new perspective on how little it matters in the grand scheme of things. When my hair grew back, I decided to embrace the grey and I’ve never looked back.
I could maybe look a few years younger if I dyed my grey hair, but who would I be fooling?
Despite my efforts to stay active and live a healthy life, my body knows it’s 58. These days, arthritis is starting to catch up with me. Some days, I feel like a creaking gate. But, I still work out regularly, and walk every day, because it makes me feel good and gives me energy to keep up with the pace of life.
In my younger days, I often stayed out late, got up in the morning to go to work, and then did it all again the next night. I can’t do that any more. Well, I probably could, but I choose not to because I know it would take me days to recover.
While my body might know I’m not 18 any more, in my mind I still feel like that 18-year-old graduating from high school all those years ago. The song 18 ‘Til I Die by Bryan Adams comes to mind.
It’s not how ya look. It’s what ya feel inside.
Bryan Adams and R.J. Lange, 18 ‘Til I Die
In my mind, I’m a lot younger
A former boss once told me “Michelle, you are a millennial trapped in a boomer’s body.” He was referring to the fact that—contrary to the common stereotype of people my age—I embrace technology and seek out learning opportunities.
Henry Ford famously said “Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” I firmly believe that our mindset—not our age—determines what we can or can’t do. It’s why I’m so passionate about lifelong learning. At a time in life when many people expect me to coast into retirement, I’m still taking courses and learning new things. To me, there are just too many things still to learn, and new things to experience.
I can’t imagine a time when I’ll ever stop learning. Since turning 50 I’ve taken up curling, started singing with a band, and launched this blog. When I leave my full-time career behind in the next few years, I have no intention of sitting on the couch watching Netflix for however many years I’m blessed to live on this planet. I look forward to being what my friend Mike Drak calls a “Retirement Rebel” in his book Victory Lap Retirement.
When it comes to my mental age, I’d like to say I’m 18 with the wisdom of a lifetime of experience.
If ya wanna stay young, get both feet in it
Bryan Adams and R.J. Lange, 18 ‘Til I Die
The bottom line—How old do I feel?
Ultimately, age really is just a number that people use to define how people should look, feel and behave. Instead of letting other people decide for me what 58 “should” look like, I’ll chart my own course. I’m happy with who I am and, after experiencing serious health issues, just happy to be alive!
And when I need inspiration, I don’t need to look too far. My mum will be 89 in a few weeks and she’s active and sharp as a tack. So I have a great role model…and maybe the benefit of good genes.
Time will tell…
What about you? How old do you feel? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.
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Michelle, you are an amazing role model! I want to be more like you! I also love learning and staying mentally active… I do need to work on being more physically active so I am hoping to work my way there this year. I, too, have stopped caring about the greys sprouting on my head, I just want to embrace my age of 39 and be proud of everything I’ve accomplished and acquired in life!
Thank you! That is so important—to embrace where you are and where you’re going rather than lamenting what’s gone by and what you don’t have.
I love how you answered this question. I still feel like I did when I was younger, and I hope that never changes.
Thanks Suzanne. I honestly think our mindset has the ability to keep us young. Some people are old at 25, and others are young at 90.
I have asked myself many times how I got this darn old. I don’t feel like I am 72 and get irritated when I get asked, “Do you help with that (little bag of groceries)?” People definitely treat you different with grey hair.
They do for sure. Last week, the cashier at a local store gave me the seniors discount. Would she have done that if I didn’t have grey hair? Probably not. But, hey, it’s money in my pocket so who am I to argue? LOL
LOL There are benefits, I guess.
I loved this post, Michelle. It really inspired me. I love the authenticity in your writing. Chronic illness has been with me for 20 years, but it’s mild compared to what others experience. I definitely feel older than I am when I can’t get through a long walk some of these days. Makes me appreciate every moment (at least try to!). That’s why I write my little blog about appreciating the ordinary.
Thank you Suzanne. I believe that a positive mindset can help us overcome so many of life’s challenges. It takes practice to turn challenges into positives but it is possible. Like you, I try take pleasure from ordinary, everyday life. The pandemic has been a good lesson in that respect.
Frustrating is an understatement
It’s always best to have a mental age younger than you actually are, because that’s how you’re able to still have fun, especially if that younger mindset doesn’t mind being goofy.
Unfortunately, my physical age is a lot older than my actual age, but that’s the problem with picking up life long health conditions
It is frustrating when your mind wants to do something but your body says otherwise. I suppose the challenge is finding things you can do that keep you young, and mentally and socially engaged.
Excellent post, Michelle!
This post is inspiring to me in a number of ways. I definitely feel older than I am, which I don’t like. I have a young child so I am working on things to be a good role model for her. I absolutely agree with you about seeking out new experiences and learning new things. I have always been a fan of education in all forms. There is so much to learn. I love that we have technology to provide an even greater reach than existed when I was younger. I also think it’s important to welcome adventure ‘IRL.’
Cheers!
Cassie
Thanks so much Cassie. You’re right about technology expanding our access to learning. The courses I’m taking right now wouldn’t be possible without it. And, adventure is everywhere if you just seek it out. It’s great that you’re working on being a good role model for your daughter. Now that my girls are grown, I see myself in them in so many ways. It makes you realize that kids are like sponges—they soak up everything around them.
I love this — and you are absolutely right.. I’m 33 and yet I still feel as if I am in my twenties most of the time anyway. I don’t know if that feeling will ever go away or if the age I feel will always be a decade behind. Either way, it’s an interesting feeling getting older. and above all we should all be grateful because not everyone gets to grow old. we should embrace every stage because we never know what’s waiting tomorrow
So true Helen. I have seen so many lives cut short by illness and tragedy. We have to celebrate every passing year. As I always say “getting older sure beats the alternative”!
I have always felt older than I am. Being the oldest of five siblings, perhaps it was inevitable/instinctive to provide an example for the others to learn from. I am nineteen now but find I can carry on discussions with people in all age groups, which often surprises the older people in my life while also making me feel like I do not quite belong to the people in my own age group . . .
Love how this got me thinking!!
That’s interesting Jaya. I remember when you first told me how old you were, I was shocked. Your writing is very wise and mature for someone of your age and I just assumed you were older. It’s funny how we get impressions of people from their writing. It’s one of the things I love about the blogging/writing community. People are very inclusive and differences like age don’t seem to matter.
I don’t think of you as 58, I feel like you’re just a little bit older than me, my peer. I totally agree about keeping learning, keeping moving. I can’t imagine life without new things to explore and master.
Large boy recently said that you’re not o til you’re 80. I think attitudes have changed a lot because when I was his age I’m sure I considered 60 as old. Maybe it’s because his grandparents are starting to turn 70 and they’re still generally spritely.
Well thank you for that! I’m glad to hear that large boy doesn’t think you’re old until you’re 80! When my daughters were in high school, they used to talk about their teachers being old—and then I’d remind them the teachers were probably about my age. LOL
I nodded my head a lot reading this post. I love Henry Ford’s quote because I consider myself a lifelong learner.
I’ve every intention to be running in my 100s!!
The right mindset makes all the difference when it comes to aging. I want to be just like my mum when I grow up!
Great post Michelle! It really resonates with me! Lately I have been physically feeling older, yet in my mind I am still this young girl!
Thanks Kat. It really makes you wonder where the years went, doesn’t it? That’s what I tell my girls—time goes by in the blink of an eye!
Yes! I tell that to my kids all of the time!😪
58? You are just a kid. My wife and I are eight years older than you and she ran a full marathon last year, won grandmasters too! We both just got back from our 5:30 AM run with our friends. We’ll both play a couple of hours of tennis later and, if weather permits a couple of hours of pickleball too. We’ve been retired since age 60 but stay pretty busy with sports, hiking, bushwhacking and volunteer work. Three of the runners in our group this morning were in their 70’s and they are as healthy as any 50 year old out there. We all agree the trick is to just keep moving!
100%. Movement is so important. Even just daily walking can keep you fit and young. My mum is living proof of that!
You and me, sister! I guess people mistake me for being immature, when really, I just feel so much younger than I am. So what if I still rock out to Korn and Staind (and so many others) at almost 61? That’s what I like, so when my husband plays 60’s music in the truck, I’m so bored! 🤣
It’s more than music though. I often hurt myself thinking I can do more than my body says I can. I’m trying to get back on track with my walking and working out, now my knees are killing me. Ugh!
It is hard when your mind wants to do something but your body doesn’t want to cooperate. When my hip was playing up last year, it drove me crazy!
Rock on sister! 🤘