Society has an ageing script for you: ‘Seniors step aside. Retire. Your time is over.” But what if you said no?

We are in a system of ageing, and as we move from various stages – adulthood to middle age to elderhood – we meet patterns and frameworks that can feel like rules of retirement and conventional timelines. Signs and messages that tell us – “This is how ageing is done. This is expected. This is appropriate.”  The script can seem limiting and unkind to our next act, ambitions, active dreams to build new careers, businesses, and much more because… we’re still here. We’re not finished living yet.

Maybe you’re 58 and told you’re ‘too old’ to learn new technology, or you’re forced into retirement when you’re actually hitting your professional stride. As if decades of experience are suddenly worthless.

You do not have to live with ageism and the social messages that patronize your humanity as you age – devaluing your life experience, relevant knowledge, skills, credentials, and expertise.

The vital action and question is to courageously look at yourself and ask – Where have YOU bought into this? Where have you complied with the system of ageing, and how can you have agency to resist and redesign what growing older looks like?

Change is the flipside to compliance.

What part of the ageing game can you influence and make better?

We can create the change we desire. Show up with a new and better way to live ageing.

Challenge the bias and labels. Demand respect for who you are and the value of your entire life.

This week, challenge one assumption someone makes about your age or apply for and do that thing you thought you were ‘too old’ for.

The ageing system wants you to shrink. Choose to expand instead.

Thanks – Michael (he, him)

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This is also important – Tell Your Age Story.

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