Aging can be challenging, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. Reach out to God, loved ones, doctors, and therapists to help you age healthily and gracefully.
Aging can be terrifying for many reasons; however, it can become less scary when you are presented with the right information. Are you someone who sees knowledge as power? If you are, then you are in the right place. Here are 6 hard truths about aging that no one talks about.
1. Wisdom Does Not Come With Age
While one would think older age equates wisdom, it is not necessarily true. Some people can age and never find true wisdom. Following God, studying the Bible, and growing in your walk with Him helps you age gracefully. Continue to age gracefully in the Lord; it will be beneficial in this life and in the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
Do what you can to continue to cultivate wisdom, but don't believe it will come to you naturally. Learn all you can about the Lord, those around you, and facts about health and wellness. This will help you develop wisdom for the decades to come. Always be learning and growing. There will never come a time when you have everything figured out. Even in Heaven, you will be learning new things, things far too great to know in this world (1 Corinthians 2:9).
2. Getting Tired is Real
Never underestimate the reality of tiredness as you get older. Turning 50 is not the same as turning 40, and turning 60 is not the same as turning 50. You will feel more tired with each passing decade. While you may feel alright most of the days, there might be tasks that make you feel more tired. This could include mowing the grass, taking a walk, or doing light cleaning around the house.
Take time to rest and ensure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This can help cut down on feelings of tiredness. It is also important to engage in healthy eating and exercise to help boost your energy levels. Start eating healthy and exercising today so that you can do more things when you grow older.
3. You Will Become More Forgetful
Getting older often brings on forgetfulness. Perhaps you have misplaced your house keys too many times or you forgot a friend’s birthday. Give yourself grace; everyone will forget things at times. If you begin to feel worried over your forgetfulness, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor just to make sure nothing else is going on. Until then, you can keep your brain sharp by doing word puzzles, physical puzzles, memorizing Bible passages, and learning new songs.
4. You Feel Like Life is Passing You By
As you have grown older, you may have noticed how fast life is passing you by. Know that this is normal; it is nothing to be afraid of. Your life is busy and you are making the most of every opportunity, and this is a great thing! Keep growing in Christ, helping others, and serving the Lord in your actions. Life will continue to roll along, but you can seize every moment and make it count (Ephesians 5:15-16).
5. You Don’t Have the Same Sense of Purpose You Used To
Sadly, many older individuals struggle with having a sense of purpose. If you feel this to be true in your own life, try to get involved with a few groups in your area, such as a gardening club, a Bible group, a book club, or a walking group. Building your sense of purpose can help you feel better about aging and bring joy back into your life. Ask the Lord to help guide you to the right groups or clubs today, and you will begin to build your sense of purpose again.
6. Losing Loved Ones is Still Hard Even After All This Time
Even after all these years, you may have noticed losing loved ones is still painful. Nothing you do seems to make a difference; loved ones keep dying and you are forced to go to their funeral and celebrate their life in the wake of their passing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one feels empty, hollow, and sorrowful. Leave room for these feelings; avoid pushing them away or trying to make yourself feel better too soon.
Healing will come, but you need to give yourself time to grieve. Regardless of how many loved ones you have already lost, it will still be painful to watch more of them go. Find hope in these moments by focusing on the Lord. You will see your loved ones again; they are just going to Heaven a bit earlier than you. Rather than telling them “goodbye,” tell them, “I'll see you later, my friend.”
Your loved ones will continue to live on in your heart too. Celebrate their life by keeping items of them in your home or with you. If your mom was a painter, display some of her artwork around your house. In the same way, if your husband enjoyed collecting stamps, keep his stamp collection somewhere you can see it. Having these special items will help you feel connected with your loved ones and remind you that you will see them again.
Aging can be painful and challenging at times. You can help yourself prepare by being aware of the hard truths surrounding aging, especially the ones no one talks about. A few of these hard truths include wisdom does not come with age, being tired all the time is real, you will become more forgetful, you may feel like life is passing you by, you lack a sense of purpose, and losing loved ones continues to be painful, regardless of how many years you live.
