We live in a society where aging is seen as something bad, something that has to be avoided as much as possible. We have to grow up fast but at a certain age many people try to fight the aging process. This mindset is completely absurd, unhealthy and often self-destructive. How can something that is so normal and natural can be seen as something to avoid?
Living in the western world with its beauty standards makes a lot of people believe that aging is the same as not looking beautiful anymore. Wrinkles, more body weight, grey hair or cellulite is frowned upon especially for women. Although men also try to stop their aging process, it is still a bigger topic if women show signs of older age. Men with grey hair are "silver foxes, they age like fine wine" but women are meant to dye their hair or they "don't take care of themselves and let themselves go". The capitalistic side of our society wants us to think that we can always look like a 25-year old if we buy this cream or that serum. If we wear enough make-up and don't show any white hair or even get surgery or Botox. People really undergo this very painful procedure because they don't want to age. They change their faces and bodies in order to make someone else believe they are younger than they are. You will always know how old you are and if you fight your body you will lose a lot of energy doing that. This will make you grow older even faster because stress enhances the aging process.
Other cultures see old people as wise and valuable to society and they honour and listen to them. Getting older means slowing down and being more relaxed about things. When you are very young everything can stress you out and things seem bigger than they usually are. With age you gain maturity, wisdom and calmness. If you think your twenties were the best time of your life you simply have to ask yourself where you maybe took the wrong turn that you don't love your life right now. What are you doing now that makes you more miserable? Every phase in our lives has ups and downs, that is natural but growing older doesn't mean that the good times are over.
We have a very bizarre relationship with death. Unfortunately we see it as something negative that has to be avoided - which of course is impossible - rather than as something natural that is part of life's cycle. The disconnection to nature, the believe in heaven and hell in many religions and the lack of spirituality in our society makes us so terrified of death that we see it as our enemy, that we have to run away from. This means we are running away from a part of ourself. Birth and death is inside us, it is the natural cycle and there is no way to escape. It is also not necessary to if you live a life that you enjoy. If you reflect on yourself and are a kind person you don't have to regret anything at the end. We have to integrate a healthy mindset about death and start to see it as the normal process it is.
How do you feel when you think about death? Why would it make you feel uncomfortable? Why do you think you have to fight it in a way? I recommend giving this topic some thought and really examine your relationship with it on a deeper level. Fact is we are all going to die, some sooner and some later in life. It is as much a part of us as being born and simply ends the life you are living right now. I don't think that we only experience one life as everything undergoes multiple cycles in its existence. Not we as the person we are now but our souls or essence reincarnate many times, so dying is just the end of a chapter before another one begins.
I love getting older. I love the wrinkles that I start to get around my eyes because I know they are from laughter and a life lived in the sun. I don't love the bumps on my thighs that much but I know they are part of me and I know that only I decide whether I judge something into good or bad. I am very aware that my believes about my body are strongly shaped by society and my upbringing. I still struggle with my body image as this topic goes so deep especially for women but I decided to work on it and on accepting myself no matter what someone else says is beautiful or a trend at the moment.
If you love your body you take good care of it and if you take good care of it, it shows less signs of aging, it is that simple. So many people don't exercise and have a terrible diet but expect their bodies to look young and fit. A healthy diet with a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables should be the norm. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol and your skin will look healthy too. Many people might argue with where the fun is if you have this healthy lifestyle. I ask where the fun is in putting toxins into your body and then hating it for showing that. Everybody has to find out for themselves what is best for their bodies but there are a view simple guidelines that probably fit for everyone. We are not meant to be able to digest alcohol especially in big amounts. Your body clearly shows you the next day that it is a toxin and you just basically poisoned yourself. Drink lots of water and make sure to include all different vitamins and minerals in your diet. It is worth it to study a bit about nutrition as we unfortunately don't learn much about something that important in school. Everybody should know what they eat and what they need for a balanced diet. If you take care of yourself your body will automatically look younger because you will feel healthy and well nurtured.
Mental health as well is crucial for your body as everything starts with the mind. Reduce stress and bring more joy into your life. If you love your live you will have the radiant energy that you wish for. You will get older, no matter what but if you live a happy and healthy life you don't have to be afraid of it. Yes, some things won't be possible anymore or will change or get harder when we are old but that is the way it is. Don't fight what is unavoidable but embrace it and see the great things in every phase of your life. Cherish your wrinkles as they can be a sign of a life well lived. Let your hair be grey if you want and start loving your body a little bit more every day and in every phase it is in right now. You are born and you will die, accept that and in between create a life that you love - that's all we have to do here.
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