Why Age is NOT Just a Number

How often have you heard "she looks good for her age" or had someone assume something because of your age? We're all guilty of it. Society perpetuates the idea that once we cross the birthday threshold into our 50s or... *gasp*...our 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, that there are limitations based on a number. That we are limited.

We always say that age is "just" a number. But, that's not totally true, is it?

If you've been reading our articles, like "How to Act Your Age Over 50" or "How to Dress Your Age Over 50", we tell you to forget the number all together. The chronological number that society says defines us? Yes, that one. Forget it. Look past it.

We're going to have a little chat about our age, which, believe it or not, is actually so much more than just a number. It's not just semantics!

Which brings us to the point of this article...

Five Reasons Why Age is NOT Just a Number 

1. With Age Comes Experience

   The older we are the more experience we have! And despite what much of our society would lead us to believe, that is a wonderful thing. You'd think that was obvious! Many of us are looking for a new adventure to begin in the second half of our life and we have the ability to do so because we can draw on our past experiences.
   Just think of Martha Stewart who, at 79, overhauled her lifestyle brand, now has a show with Snoop Dogg, has her own meal kit brand, has authored 87 books, and has a reported net worth of $400 million. Do you know how she accomplished that? By utilizing her years of experience!
   Or think about Dame Judi Dench who won an Oscar at the age of 64. Or Julia Child who wrote her first volume of Mastering the Art of French Cooking when she was 49. Or Anne Finucane, the Vice Chair of Bank of America, who started her career in finance at the age of 47.
   With age comes experience and that experience can open so many doors for us!
   
   

2. With Age Comes Memories

   When the day finally comes that we are nearing the end of our life, we'll look back and smile on all of the beautiful memories we've made over the years. Every day we're given, every moment that we grow older, we are given an opportunity to share more meaningful moments with those around us. We think that's pretty powerful!
   Every year on our birthdays, we take some quiet time in the morning to be by ourselves. We write out all of the amazing things that happened that past year and take time to reflect on just how lucky we are. It's a wonderful way to kick off a new year and to give thanks for the memories we've made over the last 12 months. Life can get busy and we sometimes forget to take the time to practice gratitude. But, every birthday and every New Years Eve's Day, we make the time.
   
   

3. With Age Comes Wisdom

   We may have had our youth in our earlier years, but we would much prefer to have wisdom!
   Wisdom allows us to critically think about what we wish we knew when we were younger. What would we have told ourselves, given the chance? Perhaps we would have asked that our younger self was more patient, showed our body more grace and compassion, that we had a kinder inner dialogue. Whatever we wish we knew then, we know now. That's power. It's never too late to change how we interact with the world or ourselves. We are kinder, more patient, more loving and gentler with ourselves. When we fully comprehend that being kinder to ourselves is best for all those around us, that's when we truly feel wise.
   
   

4. With Age Comes Confidence

   Raise your hand if you stopped caring about what others think about you long ago? Us, too!
   With every passing day, we step into our truest selves that little bit more. We show ourselves grace and compassion. We are learning how to tap into our creativity and the parts of us that have lay dormant for far too long. We are dressing for ourselves, going on adventures and starting new chapters of our lives. How exciting! With our age comes this beautiful, unwavering confidence in who we are, what we have to offer the world and what we want out of life. With it brings a stillness, ease and freedom to our lives that we wouldn't trade for the world.
   
   

5. With Age Coming Acceptance

   We reach a point in our life where everything is tickety boo. We have a new sense of awareness and acceptance for everything in our life. The grey hair that used to bother us? We love it! The saggy boobs that used to make us self conscious? We joke about them with our girlfriends over wine. That neighbor who used to drive us nuts? They're (almost) tolerable now! We adopted the "everything happens for a reason" mentality and, wow, is it freeing! This is our life and we are so thankful for everything in it. When we start seeing that life is happening for us and not to us, everything changes. When we can recognize that life is giving us exactly what we need, we can finally stop fighting the flow of events and simply embrace all of the gifts we are given. It's beyond freeing.

Age Is More Than a Number

Numbers are restricting. Numbers are black and white, with no room for interpretation. Numbers give society a way to label and categorize us. We don't really like numbers around here, if you hadn't picked up on that quite yet!

But, our age?! Our age is a beautiful part of our multi-faceted selves. Our age has gifted us our experience, our memories, our wisdom, our confidence and our acceptance. Our age has given us countless gifts for which we are so thankful.

When we think about it that way, our age is NOT just a number. Our age is one of the most wonderful things about us.