my thoughts on getting older….
The people at Pfizer created a platform called
"Get Old" that is designed to encourage women to embrace the advantages of aging. They asked me how I felt about getting old and about what I saw as challenges and joys of aging at any age.
These were some wonderful thought provoking questions!
How do you feel about "Getting Old" as a woman?
I feel like there is nothing I can do to stop it so I might as well embrace it! That I should try to make it the best that I can every day.
Who or what inspires you to "Get Old" well?
My grandmother is a wonderful example of gracefully aging. Until just recently she was still volunteering her time at a Children's Home and taking exercise classes several days a week. She got a computer and she learned how to use it! She is an inspiration. She showed me no matter what your age you should still give yourself and your time to others.
What do you do to get "Get Old" well? For your body? For your mind?
When I was younger I ate whatever I wanted, rarely exercised and took my healthy body for granted. As I aged, I gained weight and felt much worse than I had on a daily basis. Now I can look back and see the pattern of bad habits and carelessness. NOW I am running regularly and working on endurance. I am much more aware of what I eat and put into my body. I feel better than I have in years!
What are some key lessons or pieces of wisdom you've learned as you've gotten older?
Some of the best lessons I have learned in the past five years revolve around truly being ME. Being confident in the way God made me. Being proud of the things that make me unique. Surrounding myself with others who allow that freely. Focus my efforts on positive things in my life that bring me joy. Give my all and my best at everything I try. And to KEEP TRYING new things and new adventures.
How have your ideas about what it means to get old changed since you were a child?
I think as a child and teenager I thought "getting old" would be terrible because it seems, to a child, that older people never have any fun. That is funny when I think about it now. "Old" people have ALL the fun. We get to do all the things we want…when we want… and how we want! I love the privilege of aging and all the blessings I get to enjoy as I get older. I am grateful for every day I get.
How about you? Do you dread getting older or are you embracing it?
Tell me in comments to enter to win one of three $500 SpaFinder gift cards, courtesy of BlogHer and Pfizer! Entries will be pooled between thirteen participating blogs.
And don't forget to go over to
Get Old and share your story, read the stories of others, and find some great tips and tools for making the most of whatever age you happen to be.
For your convenience, here are highlights from the Official Rules for the Sweepstakes.
Please note by submitting an entry you are agreeing to the full Official Rules, available here.
No duplicate comments.
Please do not mention or imply any pharmaceutical products in your posts. Posts that mention or imply a pharmaceutical product will be subject to removal.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt at the bottom of this post.*
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*Note: if you want to comment but either (i) are not eligible or (ii) do not want to enter the giveaway, please include something similar to the following statement in your comment: ìI do not wish to enter the sweepstakes.î
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Medical professionals who are licensed (or are otherwise authorized) to prescribe medications are not eligible to enter. While BlogHer encourages you to share your thoughts and experiences about getting older, comments discussing medical conditions and/or medical products are not permitted, may be deleted, and are invalid entries. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/18 to 8/31.
Be sure to check out the BlogHer.com Get Old page to find out more about the Get Old platform and read how other bloggers feel about aging!
Kerry - I sort of dread it! But, what can ya do about it?
Kelly D - I feel uneasy about growing older. However, I hope for the best and realize that I cannot sit around dwelling on growing old… although today is my birthday!
Mel - I look forward to retirement and traveling in my “old age”
Linda - I want to see my kids grow up and get married some day, getting old isn’t all bad
leann lindeman - Well, As a opposed to not being on this earth anymore I guess it isn’t so bad.
Amy @ A Little Nosh - I’m not at peace with it quite yet, but I’m getting there.
alittlenosh AT gmail.com
sandra - i dislike getting older due to the pains and aches
Karina Lee - I’m excited to get older and experience more of life
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
Carolyn G - I used to think 50 was so old. Now that I am only a year away, it is not that old. LOL I think getting old is a natural progression. I don;t like but I am ready for it
Elena - Getting older is something I think about more often lately. I don’t like the aging of my body, but I feel like I make more right decisions now than ten years ago.
Myne Whitman - I look forward to turning 35 this fall, but it is scary too. Seems it was just yesterday I was 20 🙂
Kimberly Dial - I’ll be 51 in August & I’m okay with it … this year. Last year, when I turned 50, I had a terrible time with it mentally. It seemed so old to me but I didn’t feel old in my head (although my body reminded me of my age very often!) … I’ve had nearly a year to adjust & I’ve come to terms with it … I want to be an example of growing old gracefully for my grandgirlies & be active with them … we went on a two mile walk this morning! 🙂
Stephanie C. - I’m turning 30 this summer and so far I’ve been embracing getting older. I’m much more confident in who I am and I love the things I’ve gained in recent years, like my 2 crazy kids!
seleyrn - I agree, I would never want to return to adolescence and high school days. But dealing with the aging body, and an aging parent are things I could easily give up. I have more time now that I am retired to do and enjoy things I couldn’t spare the time for when I was younger, but I have to force my self to get up and work on keeping my body fit and more healthy. When one is young, there is that desire to remain sexually attractive, but at some point you realize that is never going to be your reality ever again.
Kasey - I don’t look forward to getting older, but like you said, there’s nothing you can do about it. My dad is 65 and is dying. He planned all of his life to retire and travel, but he was forced to retire due to his bad health, and cannot travel now. I’ve learned to not wait to do something you want to accomplish, because you just might not get the chance later.
Agnieszka - I’m embracing it. I’m in my mid thirties but secretly feel like a kid anyways. I ignore my gray hairs that keep creeping in.
D - I am not embracing my age very well… I have a hard time actually remembering how old I am…. was it 33 or 34… sometimes I feel like I lose an entire year! I feel young and am active with my kids and enjoying life… easy to forget a number when you are feeling good and enjoing every moment 🙂
El - I am 61 and do not feel it…until I look in the mirror and then I smile. Life is what you make it.
Lisa P. - I am so much happier now then when I was younger….hope I live to be very old!
Kate - I am embracing it, because what else can you do? I am 41 and have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. Playing with them helps me feel younger!
Melissa Mae - The older I get, the more comfortable I feel with who I am. Often I think I should act older than I do, but I will always be a kid at heart. I just turned 30 in march and I’m still in denial, but not in a bad way. I just feel like I’m 20. My problem with getting older, is that my kids are getting older. I want them to stay little and innocent and think their parents are the coolest people in the world. I hate that my babies will one day leave me. That is my biggest struggle. But when I feel that way I just remember that they are only 5 and 11 months, and we still have a long way to go before they take off. I try to enjoy every minute with them.
Kristin Hayne - I agree that age is just a number. I still feel like I am 17 but recently played competitive softball again and felt every one of my 37 years. So on that note, I keep building strength and good eating habits… I look forward to aging…gracefully.
Tabathia B - I dread it because of some health problems I feel as though I look older than what I am and my mother and her mother have always looked great and appear younger than what they actually look
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Jenn B - For the longest time I wanted to get older. I thought I would like it. There are parts of getting older I like but health declining is my least favorite. A spa treatment sounds rejuvinating! Just what I need!
whitneybens@yahoo.com - I try to keep in shape, so as long as I continue, I’m okay with getting older!
Melissa - Getting older? Bring it!
I feel better about myself now than I did ten years ago!!!
Amanda - I am trying to embrace getting older, but as I start having more gray hair it is hard. 🙂
Prairie Mama - I’ve decided that I’m proud of my age! (: It means Jesus has blessed me with another day to spend with my family. Live life intentionally and fully and appreciate every minute that you have. Growing older is nothing but a gift. (:
Julie - i’m finding lots of new signs of aging daily. i don’t like it. i can’t stop it. let’s start a new trend of embracing our aging bodies so that people can stop wondering “where are all the older women??”
Grace - There are so many things left that I want to do… and each day is a wonderful opportunity to cross something on my bucket list! I am so grateful that I get the chance to explore so many things with wonderful people…
I can’t imagine how fulfilled you must feel when wise and old!
nicole i - I am embracing my age all the way. I turned 40 this year, started washing my face with oil, eliminated sugars, dropped 20 lbs and let the greys stay grey! bring it on…every decade is better than the one before. i also hope to be wiser with age…so i need a few more decades under my belt!
Emilee - I’m embracing it!!! I love all the new opportunities and challenges getting older brings!!! I’m still in my early twenties, and I can’t wait to see what the coming years will bring!!! I saw a quote once that said something like cherish getting older, there are so many who never had the chance to!
Karey - Age is just a number 🙂 I admit I get nervous about aging but also look forward to it!
Kate - I’m good with getting older. I am much more comfortable in my own skin.
Heather D - I’m still pretty young (26), but I don’t dread getting older. I look forward to all the opportunities aging brings, like kids, a house, stability, wisdom.
secret mom thoughts - I’m ok with getting older. Beats the alternative.
Beth Ann - Although I use supermarket products to help defy looking older, I am appreciating the wisdom that has come with age. I am also appreciating every day I can be with my family!
Laura J - I am looking forward to every wrinkle, scar, and memory. Never will I hide my age– I’ll wear it proudly! Growing up, I was taught that grey hair is a sign of wisdom. I hope to embrace that concept as the time approaches.
happygirl - Getting old is much better than the alternative. Getting old with grace and energy is harder to do. I need to lose weight and get in better shape if I want to age with energy. 🙂
Cori - A while back, I saw two old women (in their 70s or 80s) who were climbing this incredible hill. They were HOOFING it. They looked more fit than 3/4 of the people I know at any age. I remember thinking, “I want to be one of those old ladies!” So I’m embracing fitness (triathlon in a month!) and eating right. Although I’m not all that old (31), I’m realizing that I have to start now if want to be climbing hills at 80!
Lorilei - It depends on the day…some days I hate it (like when I injure my knee doing something simple like WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS). Other days I totally embrace it (like when my little brother calls me for advice because he’s so confident in me that I’ll have an answer for him because I’ve likely had some sort of experience with whatever problem he’s facing). All in all, I totally recognize that it’s a BLESSING to get to grow older. 🙂
Lisa B - I am embracing it. I lost 50 pounds and am in the best shape I have been in , in over 20 years. I am looking forward to it just being my husband and I in the house:)
juli - I’d like to think that I’m aging with grace. I never want to be accused of trying to hide my age with makeup or plastic surgery.
northern cottage - Absolutely embracing it….there are so many people who don’t get to get older and I try to concentrate on savoring the moments!! We are so much wiser than when we were young! I don’t feel ‘OLD’…I just have more time and experience behind me!
Meghan - When I think back on high school – how awkward and difficult it was, it always makes me appreciate whatever age I am today. Every day is a blessing and a chance to learn from my experiences! There are lots of things that run in my family- like arthritis and more, so I know that to “Get Old” well I’ll need to make healthy choices today!
mollie d - It’s a double edge thing, I don’t feel older, but my body doesn’t always cooperate, other than that, I am enjoying getting older
kribss - I go back and forth on getting older. The aches and pains and kids getting older are the downfalls yet I feel a little wiser and less worried about the small stuff.
Lennie Jackson - My husband just turned 30 and we have been thinking about aging allot. I constantly think about how this is the “meat” of our life our children are young right now, growing and learning everyday. I am really trying to take it all in and enjoy every last drop of it. Great post.
Stephany - Hi Meg-
Wow, the timing of this post is amazing!
I just turned 37 yesterday and was wondering if I am where my “younger self” thought I would be at 37.
Then I thought, either way, life is good!
Stephany
Ashley - You know, I’m still fairly young, but I feel like every new age and season is an amazing gift. I learn something new every day. I think that embracing it is the only way to go. You’re only as old as you want to be.
Linda - Let’s say I’m trying to embrace it! I try to find joy in each and every day! And Meg, I thought your words were inspiring, as always!
Holly - Nowadays we have so many beautiful older women that have shown that we can still be beautiful as we age. I can’t stand to see comments where people are “29 again” instead of embracing their real age. I don’t have any hesitation at being 43 almost 44. Every year God allows me to grow and I hope I am growing in wisdom and at the same time not letting my spirit get old, but learning new things and having fun. I really don’t feel old, in so many ways I feel 20… until I get on the floor and try to get back up.
Staci A - I’m embracing it, as it means watching my little ones grow and spending each day with them exploring new things.
Alice H - I’m glad to be aging. It beats the alternative. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sarah - I believe I’m an embrace getting older sort of lady. To be frank, each day that I age on this earth means one day closer to being with Jesus. How can that be scary?
Jen N. - I’m okay with getting older. So many people never get the chance to for so many reasons, so it really is a gift.