Being 60 - What Sucks and What’s Cool
When we were young, we thought that being over 60 must be a terrible thing, or let’s be honest, there was a time when we thought 30 was ancient.
We remember as young girls looking at our grandparents with love, but thinking how terrible it must be to be so old.
Of course, times have changed and 60 is often looked upon as the new 40. But most people realise when they reach the big 60 that life still has so much more to offer.
That doesn’t mean there are no downsides, but there is a balance between good and bad. So, what sucks and what’s great about being over 60?
On the ‘sucks’ side – failing eyesight, feeling a bit creaky in the morning, memory lapses. Who hasn’t opened the fridge only to wonder what they’re looking for, or spent 10 minutes searching for their glasses only to find they’re on top of your head?
Physical limitations – the things you used to do with ease may not be so easy anymore. But having reached the milestone ourselves we feel that there are so many more positives than negatives. For example, our favourite, the freedom to say no. We feel we’ve earned the right to set boundaries and prioritise our happiness, not to go to places we don’t like or see people who make us feel negative.
We also tend to stress less about the little things. With age, you gain perspective on what truly matters.
We don’t care if people don’t like the way we dress, we’re comfortable enough in our own skin to dye our hair purple or wear that short dress if that’s what makes us happy. If you’ve never read the poem, ‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph, we recommend you take a look. ‘Warning’, written in 1961, is known and loved the world over for its message of old age as a time for indulgence and fun.
Often in later life, we have more time to value life’s small pleasures, time spent with family, a good book, or a walk in the country. You can rediscover the joy of living after a busy life, working full-time or bringing up children.
But it doesn’t mean you have to be quiet, irrelevant or unheard. You can still appreciate live music, travelling to exciting places or dancing the night away with old friends. Being 60+ does not mean boring, you might have the time, courage and money to do that bungy jump, skydive or backpacking trip you’ve always dreamed of.
To anyone young reading this we would like to say that when you reach 60 you will still be the same people you are now, with the same thoughts, likes and dislikes. Yes, your body will have changed but life is still there to enjoy just as much as it is when you’re 30.
As the saying goes, “Make the most of your one wild and precious life”. Whether you’re 30, 60 or older.
Twinquiry: What would you add to the list of “sucks” or “cool” things as you’ve aged?