Would You Rather Be 16 or 60?
I still love to sing in the bath and dance around in the kitchen (of course, when no-one is watching!). I still get excited when I think about that certain someone, and my tummy does little flips. Age is no barrier to love!
I am inclined to dress a little more comfortably than I used to, but still like to buy some nice clothes, shopping at Zara, A Hundred Stars, Jigsaw, etc. I enjoy looking and feeling as good as I can, and take care of myself inside and out. Life is interesting, exciting, and I always look forward to what lies ahead.
Sure, when I get up in the morning my first thought is ‘I need to pee’ and as I descend down my tiny cottage staircase, my knees usually give a few noisy groans.
Sadly, my reflection in the bathroom mirror holds no image of the gorgeous young thing I still feel on the inside, but that’s ok. I am happy being me.
Learning to Reframe
I have to say it used to feel a bit strange when people offered me a seat on the bus. Aren’t I the one who should be doing that? Or if I got a concession at the cinema for over-60s, without being asked if I was. But I am learning that it’s all ok and all I need to do is ‘reframe’.
If someone offers me a seat, it saves my aching feet. If I get a concession at the cinema, it pays for an ice cream. My hair may look like a bird’s nest in the morning, but I still have lots of hair. My face, let’s just call it ‘lived in’, shows I have indeed, lived. If you look for a silver lining in anything, you can usually find one.
I am alive, there are many who haven’t made it this far. I am reasonably fit and healthy and, although I have no fear of dying, am happy to be living as long as I am able. I am always and forever, grateful.
The Greatest Gift
I have found the greatest gift of being older is time. Time to just be me. Sometimes I am awake at 5 or 6 in the morning, eager to see what lies ahead for me in the day. Other days, I do it slowly, with a cup of tea (or maybe two) and a little breakfast in bed. It is pure joy!
I have recently moved to a beautiful old cottage, but the garden had not been tended for years and the weeds were taller than me. My first thought was that I had to get some help, it was too much. But then I decided to tackle it myself, one bit at a time. I am exhausted, my back aches, my knees creak, but I am so proud of myself as I watch this beautiful walled garden unfold.
Though the signs of ageing are evident for anyone to see, my inside me is young and excited to learn new things. I am a brave new me, who is willing to try (almost) anything, and I really like it!
16 or 60?
If you asked me honestly, would I rather be 16 or 60, the answer is most definitely 60. I have had a fabulous life and loved every minute (well almost every minute!), and I think us Boomers really did get the best deal. We were pioneers, go-getters. We thought we could change the world, and in many ways, we did.
And we still are…
There has never been a generation that had the opportunities that we have now. Most of our mothers didn’t have chance to start a new career at 60, travel solo round the world, or even go to university (over-60s can still have loans for tuition fees in England). The possibilities for us are endless.
So what can you be when you are 60? Absolutely anything you want to be! If you are happy taking life a little more slowly, do exactly that, if you are looking for an adventure, now could be the perfect time. If you want to learn new things, start a new career, travel, write a book, blog, just give it a try. You never know, it might surprise you! :)
Let’s Start a Conversation
Would you rather be 16 or 60? If you started a new adventure, what would it be? What do you most enjoy about being over 60?
I was just looking at what you wrote about, since you commented on my post and was amused to see this, since I recently wrote a post about whether you would rather be 18 or 82- my grandson is 18 and doing A levles and I am 82.
Hi Anne, thanks for joining in. I loved being 18 and hope I am going to love 82 just as much! Lily x
When I wrote this, I thought that I hd published the piece on SAM, but I have a Substack and in fact I published it there – see https://arichardson.substack.com/p/18-or-82-which-would-you-choose
I’d rather be 16 with the knowledge I have now and/or the internet with all the information about parental abuse of children and being the scapegoat child.
If I had that knowledge at 16, I would know not to waste a lifetime trying to get my mother to love me or care about me.
I could learn that I am worthy of medical care, kindness, interest from other people and respect for boundaries.
I would learn about parental alienation so I could have a relationship with my father, who my mother did nothing but put down and threaten that I would have to live with him and/or the woman with whom he had an affair if I even looked in his direction. He died suddenly when I was just out of my teens. I wouldn’t be robbed of any chance to have a father experience as I was then.
I would be free to date and would know that my mother’s criticisms and put downs, plus cruelty to me, were out of jealousy. I would know that it wasn’t wrong to have a boyfriend. I would know that it wasn’t wrong to have ANY platonic friends. I would be free to have my own life.
I would know to do self care – go to the dentist or doctors when I need it. Not ignore pain as I did with my appendix was I was in my 20s (and many other things over the decades) so that it finally burst and I had peritonitis that affects my digestive system to this day. I would know that it is ok to celebrate my birthday or buy myself something just because and that isn’t on the clearance rack.
I could go on, but suffice it to say – let me go back with the knowledge or ability to find information as there is now. I could have a full life.
I would never want to go back to 16. Lessons I have learned both good and bad have shaped who I am today. Also developed a love for humankind and look for the good in everyone. Work on helping feed the homeless. I’ve learned a deeper appreciation for what I have
Besides I wouldn’t trade today’s friendships for anything. Many blessings to be thankful for.
Hi Jane, Thank you for your comments.You seem to have created a beautiful life for yourself, enjoying what you have and helping those who aren’t so fortunate. Have a wonderful day. Lily x
Would rather be 60, though I am now 75. When I turned 60 I was totally amazed, as I barely escaped a murderous abuser in my 40’s which threw me into two decades of survival mode with a foreshortened future and multiple low-income jobs (even as a college grad) with bully bosses and a bully landlady.
At 60, I was still alive and liberated from most bullying as had received inheritance and moved away from the community where I experienced so many setbacks.
Turning 70 was a little less exciting, however much gratitude as I had by then survived 5 life-threatening events in my life: childhood pneumonia, vehicle accident in college which fractured spine (ran 7 marathons in younger years in spite of fracture), criminal abuser in 40’s, carjack at gunpoint in 50’s, spinal infection in 60’s.
Have sponsored impoverished children overseas and volunteered politically for the past 25 years and have been involved in cat rescue since 2012 to pay back all those who saved my life in the past.
Good morning Diana, Thanks for joining the conversation. Life certainly seems to have thrown you many challenges, but here you are, not only surviving, but thriving :) You have certainly given a lot back. Have a wonderful Sunday Lily x
Great article…60 would suit me just fine….started a new life, re married to an amazing man, travelled the world, and love my life. The before 60 was good too, but these days everything is appreciated just that much more.
Good morning! Thanks for joining the conversation and thank you for your kind words. Sounds like you have got life sorted :) I know what you mean about appreciating things a little more now. Have lovely Sunday! Lily x