How do you deal with aging?

Meditation

Wait till you get to be 77 ! Could be great for could be filled with small unexpected problems. We had a friend who said “after 75, everything went downhill”! I laughed at the time because I wasn’t near that age. Now at 77 there is no end to small surprises and problems that require doctor visits. Watch any pre existing conditions…..that’s a tip off. Best of luck and good health.

I do understand and I have a few health concerns myself at 65. I think its best to try to put these concerns into perspective as being a part of life and live fully one day at a time. Spending time with loved ones and traveling if possible if not than small day trips to a park nearby, a museum, a cafe etc.

That’s a good attitude. You don’t mention your age. Your “ handle” of “Funcountess” says a lot about your thinking. I guess I feel the same ( one day at a time). I’m not doing badly myself but tomorrow I have amine oected dentist appointment for some minor pain which I don’t want to get worse. I’m just glad it’s in one of my original teeth !

Great thinking Dan. At 70 it remains in the back of my mind, well more in the front, that I don't have a lot of time left. Wish I could get over that.

I don't think it's Ever made sense to Define oneself in age, fame, wealth, one's genetic lottery, health, power, friends...u add others.
What matters, in your Own Mind, is how You feel good about Yourself. And that is the feeling I care most about -- and is up to my control: Living a life that that has Meaning for me. It usually means beyond looking after one's Own issues and concerns; it means how good one is to the people (and environment) around me. In other words: Finding MEANING in one's life. It seems to have helped me to stay focused where it matters as I enter now in my 80 y.o. body-mind. It also means I derive my Reason to be in good-enough shape is so that I could do what I Want to do with my life. This is what's called one's Purpose-in-life. In fact focused on purpose/meaning is what is found to even evade what we fear most: dementia in last phase of old age. Isn't creator benevolent?

Thanks so much for your response! Your suggestions and how you live your life are incredibly helpful. I definitely realize how fortunate I am to be in good health at my age (80) and to have wonderful relationships with my family. What has been by far the most challenging has been losing a grandson, son-in-law, and daughter -- all within the past 7 months. I'm fully aware that I'm still in the "disbelief" and grief stage, but no matter what it's been incredibly difficult. I'm now trying to find either a grief counselor or hospice group that will be a good fit for me.

I love this sentiment and did a screenshot to send to others not on this forum.

When my mom was nearing the end of her life (age 73) she ruminated about what her purpose was. My response was that she raised three humans at a time when being a wife, mother and homemaker was what was expected of women. Now that I am nearly that age, I get it what she was feeling! What could I have done that I haven’t?

My brother (her son) lives in an urban, underserved area that had become a food desert after a large grocery chain closed due to low profits. He works 7 days a week teaching children to garden, hauling manure, picking up food that would otherwise be discarded from markets and delivering it to a restaurateur who turns it into soup to give those without food, passing out fruit and vegetable smoothies (free) to those in need, and writes grants for his community. He did this for no pay for years and lived off his savings, but eventually his local municipality gave a him a small stipend.
My brother will never have to wonder about his purpose and my parents would be very proud of him even though he has very little in the way of material goods to show for his efforts.

Didn’t mean for this to be so long, but the theme of purpose moved me.

Thanks for reading,
Cindy

To me, aging brings up eventual passing. I had carbon monoxide poisoning in 2003. Was close to death for 4 months. Assumed I was going to die.

Not trying to be offensive to those who don't believe...I am just saying for those who do...

Relying on God and prayer is what got me through.

As far as aging itself is concerned?

I do consciously try to pass along things I have learned.

I work harder and harder on my health every year.

I try to stay grateful for what I can do and not bemoan the things that I can no longer do.