What is old age?

Age is a number that can define the way we think, the way we dress, the way we behave or the way others perceive us.

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When we are young we cannot wait to get older, and when we are old we wish time would stand still for a little while. Many of us dread those birthdays that have a zero on the end, and we enter into a new decade.

Society speaks about 50 being the new 40 and so on; and based on my experience this is certainly true. We fight to keep our young looks. Both men and women spend thousands of pounds on the latest creams and potions that will slow down the ageing process. Clothing manufacturers entice us with the latest fashions and how many of us know when the time has come not to keep up with them. Does that time ever come?

Are we a nation obsessed with looks?

I believe that we are far too focussed on age and looks. We should be able to enjoy our lives no matter what our age. I knew a lady in her 90s who still visited the casino a couple of times a week and had a toy boy ten years her junior - and why not?

Life is right here and right now and we need to embrace it whilst we can - it can be snatched away in a heartbeat.

Whilst we focus on looks we lose sight of what is really important. Our friends and family love us for who we are and not what we look like and those who don't are not worth knowing.

Keep people in your life who don't have expectations, who value you. Accept you and love you for the person you are now.

Life can still be lots of fun no matter what your age. Obviously good health is a key factor but so is laughter, fun, friends and family. Without these we have nothing.

If you are struggling around any issues relating to ageing, loneliness, poor health or anything else contact a therapist in your area who can help you to explore and come up with a solution to living your life to the full.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Counselling Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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