The Beauty of Aging (Gracefully or Not)
Author: Vaidehi, with permission from tinybuddha.com
In a society that values youth to the point of insanity, reaching that terrible “middle age” seems like a ticket to the circus of Forget-Me Land!
As I journal and reflect my way through all this, I wonder why this is a big deal at all. In fact, in many families across nature, growing older is a good sign. It’s a symbol of status and respect.
Take the example of the silverback gorilla: all that gray hair on their back gives them the authority to make decisions for the group! Wolf leaders, elephant mothers, and older dolphins are all instances where nature favours age. Why, then, are humans obsessed with youth? From creams that remove wrinkles to references like “well-maintained” (as if we were a car!), we are told repeatedly that being younger is somehow better.
Personally, growing older has taught me a few things, and I wish I could go back in time and share them with my younger self. However, that’s not possible unless we invent a time machine, so I’ll list them here and you can take what you will.
Take the example of the silverback gorilla: all that gray hair on their back gives them the authority to make decisions for the group! Wolf leaders, elephant mothers, and older dolphins are all instances where nature favours age. Why, then, are humans obsessed with youth? From creams that remove wrinkles to references like “well-maintained” (as if we were a car!), we are told repeatedly that being younger is somehow better.
Personally, growing older has taught me a few things, and I wish I could go back in time and share them with my younger self. However, that’s not possible unless we invent a time machine, so I’ll list them here and you can take what you will.
"Don’t feel the pressure to age gracefully or anything else that society tells you to do. You have the freedom to age messily if you like. Heck, it’s your life, and it’s in chaos that order is born!"
About the Author
Vaidehi is a teacher and mentor who is extremely passionate about pedagogy, writing, and the arts. She enjoys long conversations, writing and music. She runs her own website at www.alearninghut.com. She also curates a magazine called the Halli Times, with the aim of reviving old-fashioned habits like reading and writing.
Vaidehi is a teacher and mentor who is extremely passionate about pedagogy, writing, and the arts. She enjoys long conversations, writing and music. She runs her own website at www.alearninghut.com. She also curates a magazine called the Halli Times, with the aim of reviving old-fashioned habits like reading and writing.
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