“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
A decade ago, I called my grandmother to celebrate her milestone 80th birthday. With a chuckle, she replied, “Oh, Jamie. I don’t feel 80.” At that time, having just turned 30, I was just beginning to grasp the complexities of time’s passage. Yet, her words resonated: in our minds, we often remain perpetually youthful.
Now, as I approach 40, I find that sentiment rings truer than ever. I don’t feel the way I once imagined I would at this age. Aging has turned out to be a far different experience than I anticipated.
Of course, the signs of aging are present—the crease on my forehead that has settled in like an unwelcome guest, the skin on my arms that seems to be surrendering to gravity, and those untamed gray hairs that pop up unexpectedly. And let’s not forget the increasing desire to prioritize comfort over style when it comes to footwear.
However, these physical changes are simply markers of the body I inhabit—they do not define me. While I fully support maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing my body’s potential, I understand that it will eventually age, deteriorate, and ultimately cease to function. This is a reality we all confront, even if we prefer to avoid the thought. Our bodies can sometimes feel like they betray our inner vitality.
Recently, I spent time with my grandmother, now nearing 90. I could see her frustration at how her aging exterior doesn’t match her youthful spirit. I empathize completely; I still see myself as a “young woman.” Time may alter our bodies, but it doesn’t diminish the youthful essence within.
This clash between our physical and spiritual selves often drives us to cling to our youth, to resist the inevitable passage of time. Part of this tendency stems from a fear of mortality, while some of it is fueled by society’s fixation on youth and beauty. Yet, I refuse to squander my precious life fighting against the current. Instead, I prefer to navigate the waters of life, appreciating the scenery as it flows by. Time is a fleeting gift, and I want to focus on truly living rather than pretending I can outrun my fate. It’s not the thought of dying that frightens me; it’s the idea of not fully living.
Beauty is a delicate concept to navigate. Have you heard about the woman who refrained from smiling for 40 years to avoid wrinkles? Such a tragedy. Our experiences leave their mark on our faces; laugh lines tell tales of joy and make aging a beautiful process. While I admit I’m not fond of my concentration line, which often gives me a perpetually cranky look, it narrates part of my story—a contemplative soul, a mother who worries about her children, and a writer striving to articulate the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. Thus, I don’t despise the lines that have formed; they contribute to my narrative.
These physical reminders of time passing do not negate an ageless spirit; rather, they become storytellers of our journeys. When viewed through this lens, our outer selves begin to reflect the vibrant essence within. Wrinkles and gray hair may signify change, but they also embody the richness of the human experience. There’s profound beauty in the stories they tell, marking the passage of time along with the lessons learned.
As I celebrate another trip around the sun, I watch the fear of aging dissipate. There’s simply no time for that. We all age, but how we embrace that process is our choice. I choose to age gracefully, to live joyfully, and to welcome my age with open arms—even if my skin is beginning to sag.
For those interested in exploring more about this topic, check out our other blog post that dives deeper into the nuances of aging and self-acceptance here. And if you’re considering options for at-home insemination, reputable retailers like Make A Mom offer excellent syringe kits to support your journey. For further information on pregnancy and home insemination, don’t miss News Medical, an incredible resource.
In summary, aging is an inevitable part of life, but it’s how we choose to embrace it that shapes our experiences. Rather than resist the passage of time, we can celebrate our stories, cherish our spirits, and find beauty in the lines etched on our faces.
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