This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not sure how much it suits here, but that stuck!
To learn more about aging and our response to it, we reached out to Dr. Josh Gressel, a clinical psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area and the author of Embracing Envy: Finding the Spiritual Treasure in Our Most Shameful Emotion.
"The fear of getting old is rational," Dr. Gressel told Bored Panda. "Otherwise, why would it be such a universal one? There are many reasons: increasing physical infirmity, loss of friends, loss of relevance in the outer world, loneliness, and more than anything else — your impending death."
#2
It doesn't, it comes with experience.
#3
People might become more comfortable with getting older as time goes by, Dr. Gressel thinks, because "as it gets closer and becomes more of a reality, it's no longer something abstract and intimidating but real and tangible."
"I believe that by gradually accepting each change as it comes, we can age gracefully and enjoy what this age has to offer us," the psychologist added.
"At the same time, a real dividing line for people who get older is the question of physical and mental health. Those who are able to keep their marbles and their bodies relatively intact can fare far better than those who struggle with this. Financial security is also important."
#4
#5
Turns out, it screws up your whole body.
#6
The media also plays a role, and it's not a very benefitial one. "First, most of its focus is on youth and physical beauty. By extension, old age and wrinkles are to be hidden, not spotlighted," Dr. Gressel said.
"Second, how many heroic images of older people are you aware of in movies? I can only think of Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars. Everyone else is depicted as pretty useless, a has been. There really is a dearth of examples of what aging has to offer, mostly because it can’t be encapsulated in a superficial sound byte."
#7
Most people do far less than this and are shocked when they aren't healthy.
#8
Nope, it was just my parents. Thank god for that.
#9
Of course, it's difficult for us younger folks to fully empathize with some of these things. Our minds and hearts have their own priorities. But that doesn't mean they won't change.
"While there is much that is beautiful and special in being young and making your way in the world, can you imagine how nice it is when you get to a stage in your life when you no longer feel competitive with other people?" Dr. Gressel added. "Do you have any idea how much pleasure I feel by mentoring younger people, seeing in them their positive qualities, and naming it for them so they can feel seen?"
"I need absolutely zero in response from them except the pleasure I feel knowing and seeing that they feel seen. It is wonderful to feel like a father to adult men and for them to look to me for validation. It is wonderful in many ways to have less testosterone, to just be out of that lusty race with life. It allows for greater presence and calmness," the psychologist explained.
Maybe if we realized that life doesn’t end when we enter retirement, we could start preparing for it earlier.
#10
#11
Nope. Eventually that stuff really hurts. I’d kill to be able to do a cartwheel on the beach. Those were the days.
#12
I find the exact opposite - my thinking has never been clearer, and I eagerly consume vast amounts of new information.
#13
#14
And then there’s being old
In your head. My dad was “the old man” all his life. He was never young.
The only thing that really sucks is being surprised when you look in the mirror (who is that old bag?) & how much s**t (knees, shoulders) hurts. Good things include no fear expressing myself & finally somewhat lessened attention from the opposite sex.
#15
I'm 38 and have just lost my Dad. I feel completely unable to emotionally handle this loss.
#16
Then, one super bad bike crash, landed them in the hospital for a month, recovery was good for their age, due to their very good condition. But the scars scared my grandma to get back on a bike, my grandpa staying home in solidarity. It's been 3 years, and they are shells of their former selfs. Both mentally and physically, especially in the last year, it's horrible to witness. I love them both, and try to spend as much time with them as possible, but it's just depressing to see.
#17
#18
#19
#20
I always thought 50 was old because my grandpa had several conditions that made him look much older and 'beaten up'. My grandma on the other side always has had a hunched back and it grew worse and worse.
Turns out i just had a few bad examples of people that worked tougher physical jobs all their life. My dad is 55 or so now and hes still spry.
In my gym theres a 53yo guy deadlifting 300kg+ and still going out for beers with friends on thursdays after work.
30 always sounded like a big number but i'll be there in like two weeks and im still childish AF, im still just a stupid little moron that doesnt know s**t. I dont know if ill grow up by the time i hit 50.