How do you deal with aging?

"Given uncertainty, what can I do with my life and how do I feel about it?"
If we look honestly, this question has faced us since the age of 16, if not earlier.
Since I've been mostly self-employed, I have faced this question in some way almost every day of my life.
The days when I was completely certain about my answer often seem, later, to have been moments of sweet delusion!
Some of the days of difficult struggle seem to be the most meaningful days of my life.
The biggest difference at 74 is that Social Security gives me the freedom to work on experimental projects without having to stop and earn money.
My wife and dog provide meaningful purposes of a different sort, giving me a safe landing pad from my creative work.
I hope to continue my life work in whatever form I can as my abilities change with age for better or worse.

I agree with your perceptive that there is uncertainty in almost anything important in our lives: beauty, pleasure, happiness and so many more that we count on. We can’t depend on their consistency or duration. We can’t even count on their being present. But what we can always count on is that if we do what we like to do in work and play, we’re bound to consistently count on feeling good about ourselves!

At 80 I learned to quilt and bought a very expensive quilting machine. I ask myself what’s an old lady like you buying this. Now at 90 I’m glad I did. Now I’ve just invested in a new hobby. Again the question what’s an old lady like you dong this. Maybe at 100 I’ll be glad I did.

Your comments make me smile! 🙂 What an amazing attitude you have towards aging. I want to be YOU in 10 years!!

I had to laugh! I am part of an active senior art community at my winter home. We had a gallery opening for our watercolorists on Saturday, and one couple were arguing about whether they "needed" another painting "at their age" (around 80 or so.)The wife said, "Okay, that's what I'll say when you "need" a new fishing rod." He handed her the checkbook.🤣🤣

Now, I am only in my 70's, and add one new hobby a year. This year it is getting serious about watercolor, which only entailed a few more brushes and a higher quality of paints. Also far more portable and adaptable to our wandering life than my dyeing or quilting, as we also invested in a new tiny camper to enhance our travels. My younger brother dared ask "Aren't you getting too old to camp?" to which I replied that our aunt drove her own motor home, towing a car, until she was 85, and I plan to do the same.
New hobbies keep us young!
Sue

I don't believe aging is something you "deal" with. It just is. Perhaps if people stopped obsessing about it and just go about their daily business it would be nothing to deal with.

Excellent advice! 🙂 I'll try to figure out how not to think about it.

You are all so upbeat and optimistic! Hasn’t any one of you experienced what I am? I’m frustrated, overwhelmed with medical procedures and lonely. I’m 82 and it seems there’s no end. I am seeing professional therapists and hoping it will get better.

Thank you so much for sharing such honest emotions. My heart goes out to you. Hopefully, your therapists are good and will help you with all you're experiencing. I don't know how this will work, but if you would like to stay in touch more privately than here, I'd be happy to share my email with you. Just let me know .....

Great comment. As my doctor's PA said....just live!