How do you deal with aging?

Posted by prcrowe @prcrowe, Jan 1 10:04pm

How do you emotionally handle aging and knowing that you only have a limited number of years left in your life? I'm turning 80 years old in 5 months, am in quite good health, work fulltime, and am incredibly grateful for the life I have. But, I find myself obsessed with the thought that I only have "x" amount of years left in my life. I've never figured out how to live one day at a time. Any suggestions from those of you around my age or older would be SO appreciated! (I'm "kind of" spiritual, but not really religious so that's not something that seems to help with my fear.)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Pumpkin1 | @pumpkin1 | Jan 8 12:37pm

I just turned 82 and in good health (for my age) and don’t know how you mange all that you do. This may sound counterproductive, but could it be that you have immersed yourself a bit too much with your work, children, grandchildren, etc., and are way too busy ? It is wonderful that you like your real estate job, and do volunteer work, but maybe it is time to slow down. Spend more time, as you say, taking those walks, enjoying nature, being with friends and family, but perhaps you need to learn to say no to some things. Try to focus on living one day at a time (hard for me, also), know what makes you happy, do it, and be thankful for each day of good health.

prcrowe | @prcrowe | Jan 8 12:50pm

Thanks so much for your response! I can understand that when reading what I wrote it might sound as if I'm too busy. It's definitely not the case as there isn't one activity that I do full time. The volunteering is very sporadic and as for my career, unfortunately it's so slow right now that frankly I have too MUCH time without work. 🙁 Your response made me aware that I need to be a LOT clearer when I write something. 🙂

emaureen | @emaureen | Jan 8 1:05pm

I'm 80, have been a volunteer shelver at my local library for the past 30 years. Highly recommended. Shelving is a great form of light exercise - a variety of reaching up high, squatting down, bending over to hold the position while reading titles on spines in lower shelves. Mild weight lifting, if you count walking around with an armful of books. Combined, of course, with browsing.

Also, I've always enjoyed the company of people who work in libraries. Sometimes the patrons as well, although they do tend to mess things up. (Seriously? Your toddler walks around the adult section pulling books out and dropping them, so you stick them back wherever?!)

prcrowe | @prcrowe | Jan 8 1:32pm

How wonderful that you've found a volunteer position that you obviously love! The fact that it involves exercise also makes this a perfect position. I had to smile at the comment about toddlers pulling books off the shelves and you then having to find where they belong. 🙂

mydogsbestfriend | @mydogsbestfriend | Jan 9 9:48am

In reply to @prcrowe "Thank you so much for sharing what you're doing and how you personally handle the aging..." + (show)

I studied Geography in college, never found a related job. “We don’t hire women”. Went back to school for business then Environment Studies but still “we don’t hire women for this job”. So I tried being a licensed outdoor guide while working but that was not a good choice. Got married at age 45, adopted a 6 year old from Russia. Stressful! Have been volunteering at a nature center for 20+ years, now leading “senior strolls”. Many participants are younger than me. Going for 25 years, then going to look at volunteering at a goat farm near me. I have issues with serious osteoarthritis but try to keep moving. I’m never going to hike the Adirondack trail but the trick is to do something you can do and manage as you age, even if it’s exercising your mind . The lady who mentioned volunteering in a library had a good idea but I like being outdoors more. Maybe I’ll do the library stuff when I’m in my ‘80’s also. 🙂

prcrowe | @prcrowe | Jan 9 5:51pm

Your attitude as well as your activities sound wonderful! I really believe that a person's outlook makes a huge difference in one's health and positive outlook on life. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 I have to admit that when I first posted, I had no idea that so many men and women would share -- and that so many of us have the same feelings. Not one single response was negative, even those with major physical challenges. What a great forum this is!

mydogsbestfriend | @mydogsbestfriend | Jan 9 5:53pm

In reply to @prcrowe "Your attitude as well as your activities sound wonderful! I really believe that a person's outlook..." + (show)

I have to work at staying positive. It’s not always easy. I wish everyone on this forum had a long and peaceful life for whatever time they have left. ❤️

prcrowe | @prcrowe | Jan 9 6:08pm

In reply to @mydogsbestfriend "I have to work at staying positive. It’s not always easy. I wish everyone on this..." + (show)

I'm pretty sure we all have to work on staying positive. There's so much negativity in the news, if one is interested in what's going on in the world, that finding all the positive to balance it out DOES take work. But, gosh ... it's so worth it! 🙂

edsutton | @edsutton | Jan 10 11:40am

Dog's Best Friend and PRCrowe:
You betcha!
The sky is making beautiful colors again today, and I can see them out of my window.
In the window by my desk hangs an ivy plant inherited from my grandmother. That plant and I have been connected for 70 years! I have so many loving memories when I touch a leaf...