Aging Anxiety: What’s Next?

Perhaps the most universal challenge of every human being is the reality of aging. The fantasy idea is that I will live a long, productive and happy life into my late years. But what does that mean? Let’s postpone the ‘productive and happy’ variable for now and focus on ‘long’ for a moment. What is long and how are you doing on that variable? The common notion is that a human life that lasts past, now pick a variable, your eighties? nineties? Is living to one hundred the ultimate? I know that many people who have no desire to reach that place. And in those cases, my guess is that they fear the onset of sickness, weakness, and losses around them. It makes sense because this is an inevitable reality. But then there are those who just soldier on and pursue their life for as long as they possible. My mother lived 92 years and was active right up until near the end. But let’s back up a bit. Aging is a reality but also a variable concept. We feel its pressures all throughout our lifecycle.

Think of some examples. Athletes of great capacity during high school and college certainly have to feel their age when those days are passed. They are aware that they have “aged out” of that part of their life. And that brings on the next question: so what’s next?“ This happens all along. Presuming your health stays vital, you still face uncomfortable realities of your age. When your children, grow up and leave. You feel it when you realize that you’ve maxed out on your career promotions, yielding to younger colleagues, ready and eager to take your place. And of course, the big moment when you’re facing retirement from your work life. All of these challenges create distress as we adapt to “what’s next?“ Aging is more than simply physical transitions. It is rife with psychological challenges as well. How do I accept and embrace new realities? Will I face forward with optimism, instead of looking back over my shoulder about what has been lost. And at the risk of getting existential and grandiose, let’s go back to the original premise. So you’re one of the lucky ones who lives to be 105. And then you’re gone. You’re gone like all of us will be. That’s as far as the human body can last. So stop. Where where am I on this trek. It’s only going to last as long as it does. So if you’re not busy focusing on how to do this with gratitude, optimism, joy and grace, you will diminish the best part of yourself. And ironically, you will cut your health and your life short. Embrace the journey! What’s next?