Sometimes I feel OLD. My two wrinkles are particularly obvious that day, my back is aching for no reason and I’m going to bed early on a Saturday night. No wonder people complain about aging and dread growing old. Well, I’m tired of it! No, I’m not tired of getting old. I’m tired of hearing the complaints. Call me delusional, but I really don’t think it’s as bad as it seems. Here are some of my optimistic reasons why growing old means that life only gets better.

1. Health. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life so far and there’s still room for improvement. Sure, things will start to wrinkle and sag. But you can still be fit and healthy as you grow old to help you live life to the fullest!

2. Wealth. Ideally you’re setting up investments and savings accounts now to give you a nice cushy retirement life in the future. But focusing on the more immediate future, you ideally would be making more money than you do now due to climbing the corporate ladder, growing your business, or making better investment choices. Not bad, right?

3. Accomplishment. Take a look at what you’ve accomplished so far. Take a look at what you want to accomplish in the near and distant future. Doesn’t it excite you? Isn’t it something to look forward to? Whether it’s having a family or traveling the world, if you’re not doing it now then you’ll be doing it when you’re “older”.

4. Experience. So much knowledge and intelligence comes from experience. The more experience you have in all aspects of your life, the better decisions you make thus giving you a more fulfilling and happier existence. Essentially, the older you get the more you experience thus making you smarter. And if your experiences are exciting enough, you’d tell the best stories.

5. Sophistication. I don’t know about you, but I am no longer ordering Vodka Slimes or Electric Popsicles when I walk up to a bar. (Vodka Soda all day – I mean, all night.) I know how to act and I know how to dress depending on the occasion. And my make up, hair and wardrobe is so much better now than ever (as I cringe looking back at my early-20’s self in rouged, satin, micro-mini strapless nightclub dresses). No one is born sophisticated. You grow up and earn it.

6. Self-awareness. Ah, the best for last. It is so very important to be self-aware and learn what makes you tick, what turns you off and what gets you excited in life. Self-reflection allows you to revisit experiences, understand what happened and find nuggets of gold that you could learn from and better yourself with. Self-awareness only comes with time and it’s so satisfying to finally know who you are and who you want to become.

Yes yes, we need to live in the present and enjoy the moment, etc. But I’m trying to make a point here. Growing old is not all scary. You can be excited for what the future holds, too. Who cares if you get wrinkles and your body aches here and there. Make like wine and get better with age 🙂

❤ Isabel