Do Not Regret Growing Older
As of this weekend, I have now lived five years longer than my father.
There is an odd feeling when you begin to live longer than one of your parents. As a child, I never saw my father as young. As I age past his death age, I continue to realize how young he was. As a woman, I acknowledge that I worry about aging. I look in the mirror and see wrinkles that weren’t there five years ago. As a result, I’ve often fallen prey to the whims of the cosmetic industry and purchased way too much in regards to skincare and make-up. The weight that used to easily come off with a few more workouts and monitoring my food, stays much longer and takes much more effort. Suddenly, like with my father’s age, the ages that used to appear so old do not seem so as I approach them. I do not envy the young girls in their 20’s, I’ve been there and I’ve learned my lessons. However, sometimes I wish I had learned them earlier. What I do find is I now seek out the women in my life who are older than me. They provide me with hope and the realization that growing older can be beautiful. My hope is to have a life where I have no regrets and through observing these women I now try to direct my own decisions. As with every birthday, I always question if I have done enough with my life. It’s hard to not compare myself with others and have questions. Have I made the right decisions? Am I living rather than existing? Western culture is not kind to aging and growing older. As with most women, I’ve critiqued my looks and my body for most of my life. The week of my birthday I had to attend my first physical therapy session after years of running, tumbling and pushing my body in ways I never thought would catch up with me. (The good news it can be taken care of in a few sessions.) When we are young, we don’t think about the long term effects. When we are young, we do think we are invincible. [tweetthis twitter_handles=”@how2makealife”]Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. [/tweetthis]As I approach the next year of my life, I am thankful for the opportunity of new mornings, new journeys and the chance to continue trying to make the best life that I can. I am reminded that there are many in my life who have not been given the gift of another year. My father did not live to see his 40’s. My high school friend Sheila did not get to be a part of our graduation ceremony. My mother died two years before she planned to retire. Each of these individuals planned for later.
As I pass another birthday, it is even more evident that I want to make sure I am not waiting until tomorrow or next year for something that is achievable at this time. I plan to continuously be aware of how I making my life and check my alignment with my dreams and goals.
My goal is to always appreciate each day and I hope that you can do the same. I hope you will continue to allow me to help you make your own life and encourage you to follow me on twitter, instagram, pinterest or have my posts delivered to your email.
What are your thoughts about getting older? How do you handle the passing of each year? 
I turned 25 last week, which feels like a milestone into serious adulthood. I look forward to growing continually older graciously. My goal is to learn more every year and worry less. It certainly is a temptation, but I’m not sure there’s any habit more useless than spending our days worrying about how quickly they pass instead of relishing them as they come!
Happy Belated Birthday Rachel!! You are so right, it’s so important to enjoy our days – worry accomplishes nothing and allows us to not notice what is truly in front of us.
Happy Belated Birthday! So much of this rings true with me as well. Especially the part about the ages I used to think were so old not seeming so old as I now approach them. Hope you had a great birthday. We got to tour 21c for work a couple weeks ago. It is an awesome place!
Thanks Holly! I think we all have the concept of certain ages being “old” and then we near them and realize how young that age truly is. My birthday was so much fun – posts to follow on my 21c adventures.
This is beautiful, Sheryl. I used to dread each birthday approaching my 30’s. But now, it doesn’t even phase me. I view it as a celebration each year. A new year to enjoy life and my family and to accomplish my goals. I used to laugh when people would say age is just a number, but I’ve found it to be true. 🙂 Love your wise words, as always.
Thank you Mia! I so agree with you that I see each year as a celebration. We’re given a gift each day we wake up and age is truly just a number – not who we are. XOXO
Love this (as usual!). It’s funny; growing up I always thought of certain ages as old and now that I am those ages or older and I feel young still. Age truly is a number. It’s our state of minds that should be used as gauges of maturity. As I get older I definitely find myself more appreciative and more realistic and accepting of myself and that truly is a wonderful feeling.
I so agree with you about ages! It is a number and I know young people who act as if they are elderly…. I want to be as healthy as I can and do as much as I can without being judged that I am too old or shouldn’t be doing something because that is for the young. Life is meant for all of us to live regardless of our ages.
Yes yes yes…you know I love this. I love celebrating my birthday and another year of being healthy and happy. You give the best advice!
You are so kind Emelia!! Thank you!!! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead for both of us!!
I love this message! Its so true!
Thank you Neely!!
Thanks for this Sheryl- I turn 25 august 15th and have been definitely feeling very bittersweet about it. I love how you say you now look up to older women and while reading I couldn’t help but think of the things that are important to us and how drastically they change as we age- love the quote about how growing old is a privilege denied to many. *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com
Thanks Shannon! Happy Early Birthday (Leos are awesome people). It’s so hard to not feel like we are losing something with each birthday (because society wants us to think being young is all that is important). It’s important to change as we grow older – it only means we are learning. Here’s to a wonderful 25th birthday!!
This is perfection. I’m in my mid thirties and have lately been slightly dreading getting older. This is a great perspective!
Thanks Meagan! I think we have to battle all of those subconscious noises (tv, ads society in general) because we are lead to feel like we have lost something as we age – the reality is we are gaining and we are better!!
I used to dread my birthday with the fear of getting older. The first birthday after I got my diagnosis, I celebrated being alive. And every year since has been a milestone for me. Great post!
Thanks Kim. I do believe that for those who daily live with chronic illness, there is such a thankfulness for what the body IS doing. Here’s to a long life for you my friend.
This is such a beautifully written post. I was definitely in the outliers when I was excited to turn 30 and now I’m 32 and think that I get better with age 😉 It should be celebrated not feared!
I so agree with you. I had a mini crisis about 6 months before I turned 30 but found that at the actual date, I was in a good spot. We are alive and healthy and it’s so important to remember that.
This is such a great post, Sheryl. Beautifully & honestly written. My mom’s mom died when she was 23, my mom only 3… so she has always had this mentality too. She said the year she turned 24, it really hit her that her mom didn’t get to see that age, and she vowed to live every year going forward to the fullest. That has stuck with me too… and I remind myself of that each time I complain about a new wrinkle 😉
I find it’s still hard to not complain about a new wrinkle but I try to pull myself back. There is something odd about reaching that age you know they didn’t get to see but I think your Mom and grandmother (even though you didn’t meet her) have given you such a wonderful outlook on life.
Such a great post! I am nearing 40 and have learned and grown so much in my thirties. I used to be scared of getting older but these past few years have helped me embrace it.
It seems like 40 is a magic number for many of us but I’m like you and I’m becoming more comfortable with my age and where I am in life. Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a great lesson… it’s funny to think that when I was a kid all I wanted to do was grow up and be an adult, and now that I’m in my twenties, all I want is to be young again. But it’s a great reminder that not everyone gets to grow up and experience all they want.
Yes, when we are kids we are always waiting for those milestone birthdays – to drive, to legally drink, to be considered an adult. Just remember you are still young and it’s important to appreciate the now.
Such a beautiful post Sheryl! My mother died young as well and I try to honor her everyday by making the most of my one precious life!! Hugs!!
Thank you Karen!!! We honor our parents by living the best lives we can!! Hugs right back!! XO
This was lovely . . . my father died young and as I age, I realize just how young it was at 54. I believe in living life to the fullest . . . embracing an adventure, choosing not to judge others and always spreading light, not shade.
Amy, I love your last few words here – spreading light and not shade. How wonderful the world would be if we each practiced this concept. It is hard for each of us to realize how young are parents were when they died until we begin to get close to their age. The tragedy is if we don’t learn what you have just stated – live life to the fullest. Thanks for stopping by.
Well said! I really am older than what I look; but within the past year the wrinkles have multiplied on my face, my gray hair is almost a losing battle to keep coloring, and the aches and pains in general, just remind me how much older I’m getting. You’ve put everything into perspective in this writing. We have to embrace this life, day by day, because I know so many, personally, who never got to live as long as I have.