In January, I asked what sorts of topics you might like to see in future threads, and Shaker Lady Blanchester suggested a thread in which we shared "Awesome Things About Aging."
She wrote: "As I keep going past 40 (a small part of me thought I was going to get to stop there forever), I crave positive stories and representations of aging to counteract society's negative narratives about older people, especially older women. The Netflix show Grace and Frankie is great, but I'd love to hear Shakers' takes on getting older."
Me, too! I'm especially excited about this because there is so much cultural incentive to complain about aging and very little incentive to enthuse about it.
Aging is scary for lots of people, probably all the more so due to the dearth of positive messages about aging. Celebrating what's good about it can demystify and deterrorize it for younger folks.
It also visibilizes those of us who don't have nostalgia for any "glory years" past and wouldn't go back to our younger days for love nor money. I am very contentedly aging, and I love to talk about its benefits (far beyond that old chestnut about its being better than the alternative) and to listen to others talk about what they enjoy, appreciate, and value about aging.
So here is a thread to share and discuss all the things that you've found are awesome about getting older!
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