The other day I found a variety of material on the topic of the magic of aging. It was one of those days when I was feeling particularly un-magical.

Having fallen up the stairs the previous night, I was licking my wounds. Anyway, it got me thinking and it’s true; there are so many aspects of aging that are truly magical.

One of those things is the ability to say what we think and feel, although nowadays we run the risk of being pilloried by the politically correct; it seems to me that, whatever you say, you’re going to offend somebody. Saying what you think and feel may be something that is no longer part of the magic of aging. It should be.

One of the courses I used to run was called “The 10 Steps to Reinvention.” It has been changed to “Reconnecting with Your Self-esteem,” and the 10 steps are now seven! The point of this is that reinventing yourself, or reconnecting with your self-esteem, are all part of the magic of aging.

With that in mind, I have created a list of 10 things people can choose to do and experience when they reconnect with their self-esteem.

Take a Course

It doesn’t matter what the course is as long as it helps you exchange the possible prospect of scariness and depressing gloominess for some creativity and optimism. Aim for personal growth.

Talk About Your Experience of Aging

Talk about aging, but not the endless details of retirement planning, reverse mortgages, funeral plans and the all the other tiresome details of the process. Start telling it like it is for you – if you believe you’re not having a good time, you may surprise yourself by discovering it really isn’t as bad as you think!

Let Go of the Past

Why are you hanging on to all that has happened over the years? Does it serve any purpose other than to make you feel angry or upset? Hanging on and reliving all the good in your past serves to remind you of how much pleasure and joy you have had.

Develop New Interests and Hobbies

Discover new talents and create new goals. Make your life exciting again. Bring some meaning into your everyday and decide what you really want to do in order to “make a difference.”

Make an Effort to Join In

Find a club or an organisation and explore the delights of making new friends. Find people of a similar mind-set and explore common themes; laugh and trade isolation for a new circle of acquaintances and friends.

Discover Your Legacy

What is it you would like to leave when you die? What is it you can do that will make a difference? Anything you choose – from becoming an ardent supporter of wildlife protection to helping young mums who have nobody to help them ease into the trials and tribulations of new motherhood – will be the right thing to do.

This is your choice; to help and make a difference in an area that calls you from the humdrum and the common task.

Examine Your Spirituality

Orthodox religion or an intuitive spiritual path? Discover whatever works for you and will help guide you through what is the final part of your journey through this world.

Honour Yourself, Your Life and Your Achievements

This can be difficult because it involves recognising what an amazing person you are. How you have affected the lives of others for good? It all comes down to taking stock!

Notice the Changes That Are Happening

Part of the aging process are the changes we undergo almost without noticing; not those we notice, which are obvious. Bring your awareness – or mindfulness – to the fore, and start to pay attention to your mystical metamorphosis.

Celebrate Your Amazing Life

Celebrate not just the then, but the now. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman over 50 who has finally stepped into her own power and is on her chosen path to making a difference; to leaving a lasting and effective legacy.

Number 11 – I know, it’s supposed to be 10, but I had to finish with…

Don’t worry, Be happy!

It may be trite, but it’s true, and being mindful of the connection between health and happiness, I was driven to write a book on the topic; 25 Ways to a Happier, Healthier You.

Have you embraced the aging process? Do you know what legacy you will leave? Are you happy with your spiritual path? Please share how you have reconnected with your self-esteem in the magic of aging.