Adjusting to the passing years and “senior citizen” status can be quite a challenge. People often focus on the physical aspects of growing old but, in some ways, adapting emotionally and mentally can be even more important.
The good news is that with the right approach, you can be motivated to take on new tasks and live your life with energy and vitality.
I help clients to continue to learn and grow as they get older, so their life-changing is made easier. As an example Michael talked to me about the challenges he next birthday brings:
“I hesitate to tell people my age or that its my birthday because they might get the wrong idea that I am growing old and giving up. They might begin to feel sorry for me and I would not want that to happen.
But I am not giving up. I am moving on ahead…”
Growing old brings inevitable changes but many of these changes are positive. Age brings increased resourced of experienced, perspective and wisdom.
On the negative side, other people can have a constrained view about what is possible for older people. That’s why it’s important that we live our own life according to our own values and capabilities to experience as much growth as we can, as long as we can.
The following poem by Terry Q titled “Adjusting to passing years” sums this up well for me:
I thirst much sooner quicker now
Tire faster… work much less –
Not allowed, restrained by those
Who so much care for me.
I tread the paths much slower now
breathe a bit more heavy edge
hover in still shadows watching
waiting for a slip in chance
for something safe permissible
a 70-year old may do.
hawk-like they watch my every move
Polite, concerned, considerate
my indiscretions barrier bound
I bow, I smile quiet step aside.
They really care for me, I know
and that is what really matters
Not bored or helpless whining sad
My life cup filled to overflow
All of me is there full there
and I too care for them my ways
I care for them I really do
that is what also matters.
I am not a senior citizen but none of us is as young as we were! I seek to age with as much wisdom and grace as possible and to this end, I have developed practices to help myself and my clients continue to learn and grow.
So I make sure to try new things and focus on the good aspects of getting old.
I look for good examples of people staying active whilst getting old. Some of these are celebrities (like Rod Stewart or Mick Jagger!) but others are friends or members of my own family. They remind me of my future and that there is always hope.
I have made plans for my future and I continue to adapt these over time. I learn something new every month, I help out at a charity shop for a few days of the week, I travel regularly to meet my friends that I have not seen in years etc.
I also read a lot and know what to expect with my ageing process and made plans for my eventual death, meaning all of it is less scary to me.
Being positive and grateful for the full life I have led is one of the main things I start my day with.
By doing some form of exercise every day (which could be as simple as a walk around the block and eating healthily) I have been able to keep healthy in mind and body.
If you are reading this and are feeling old, drawn, tired all the time and less energy, remember this:
Ageing is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
-Betty Friedan.
Hypnotherapy can help you get to feel more energetic, cultivate positive thoughts and manage the ageing process with optimism and grace.
Contact me to find out how hypnotherapy can help you feel confident and help you with the next stage of your journey.
Book your free 30-minute phone consultation with me.
Also, Read more on how to develop your self-confidence here: https://formindssake.com/2018/05/29/how-to-develop-self-confidence/
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