The Golden Years: 5 of the Best Parts of Getting Older

Too often we focus on the hard parts of aging, but today we want to focus on some of the great parts of aging! Many call it the golden years for a reason! This article focuses on 5 different parts of aging that are actually pretty awesome.

First, you stop caring what others think! Many of us are so nervous about what others think and say about us. As we age, we let go of friendships that are not helpful or good, our relationship with a significant other is more mature and less uncertain, and what random strangers think doesn’t matter at all. This also can help you to feel more confident in yourself and you can feel freer to speak your mind and express your feelings. You ask for what you want and need more openly and also are less afraid of saying no. I think we all want to be more confident in who we are and what we feel and stop caring so much about presenting only a portion of who we are!

Second, you have learned a lot about what really matters in life and have enjoyed a variety of different experiences. These experiences come from careers, family, friends, and self-exploration. You’ve also failed a lot but also had a lot of success in your life that has taught you valuable lessons. You know a lot about a variety of different things and can pass on this knowledge to those around you. A big thing you have more experience with that I am sure many of us could learn more about is money. Many elderly report having more money than they’ve ever had, but they are also so much more responsible with it and use it to take care of themselves and their loved ones. Passing on this and other lessons is so valuable and appreciated by many around you.

Third, you get an earlier bedtime! While this sounds funny, it’s true! As you age, you tend to go to bed at earlier times, to be fair, you do also wake up at earlier times. Your sleep schedule changes as you age and as your body ages. Speaking of bodies aging, you also get to sit down at things like concerts and no one questions it!

Fourth, you have fewer big decisions to make in your life. You likely won’t have to move for a job, you don’t have to be concerned about paying off student loans, you are not worried about your children’s lives as much since they have grown up, and you are pretty set in your ways and don’t feel like you have to debate everything with everyone. Your stress levels lower and according to the 

American Psychological Association, 9 out of 10 older adults say that the stress that does come up they can manage.

Fifth, you have a lot of what you need and are more grateful for what you have. There is less of an impulse to buy whatever is the most popular, or try and have the newest tech gadgets. You have a lot of what you like figured out and have already purchased it! You also are more likely to be less emotional with your purchases and more thoughtful.

Sometimes we think it’s scary getting older, but hopefully, this blog reminded you that there are a lot of wonderful benefits of aging. You have a lot of wonderful things that await you as you age and there are a lot of things you can share with those younger than you!

Resources:

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/10-good-things-about-getting-older.html

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wanting-to-grow-old_n_4774291

https://www.self.com/story/actually-really-good-things-that-have-come-with-getting-older

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-aging-surprises