Your Age Is Whatever You Want It to Be

It seems that age is the new "whatever you want it to be.” Fifty is the new 40, or is it 30? Lately, every time I hear someone’s age, it's one number followed by a lower one. When it comes to our age, how we feel is more important than how chronologically old we are.

Our spirit has no age. It’s our energy, our essence, our life force. And that can’t be determined by how long we’ve lived, but more by how we’ve allowed ourselves to be affected by it.

For some people, life has worn them down, and it’s their energy that reflects a sense of age more than their years. For others, no matter what cards they’ve been dealt, they spring back: their resilience and attitude makes them more vibrant and they seem even younger.  

Read on for 6 tips to maintain an ageless state of mind.

Don’t say “no” to something because you think there's an age restriction. Harriette Thompson, the oldest woman to run a marathon, was 92 when she did it last year.

Now is the time to take that painting or sculpting class you’ve thought about. Or learn how to play the piano, if you’ve always imagined doing it. The beauty of getting older is you don’t have to apologize for who you are, and that means trying something without caring what people think.

Who said doing yoga or learning ballroom dancing required that you had to be a certain age? If you fantasize doing some of the moves you’ve seen on Dancing With the Stars, or would like to master a yoga posture, give it a try. You have nothing to lose.

By a certain age, you’ve lived a few things, and what you’ve experienced might be really interesting or relatable to people. Consider writing an article about something you’ve been through and learned from. Or even a book. Whether memoir or fiction, it would make for a good read. If you don’t trust your writing skills, take a class. There might be a very talented writer in you waiting to come out!

Some people think they’re too old to learn a new language or feel that computers and gadgets are for young people. You might not become fluent in a language or beat your kid at a computer game, but keeping your mind active will definitely improve and sharpen your mental ability. And everyone can use that no matter how old they are.

No matter what you do, keep your happiness alive and vibrant by choosing things that support it. Surround yourself with people who accept your boundless spirit and allow you to shine. Happiness has no age. It is our most natural state of being. Wear it well, and keep people guessing how old you are.