Aging Adjectives.

The great age debate continues.  When Allure eradicated the term “anti-aging” from its pages seven years ago, the aging movement began blazing through the dictionary forming new terms. Today, aging gracefully, age-defying, ageless, slow aging, and even a term I have relied on fumbling to find an alternative — pro-aging —have become ubiquitous.  While we had the best of intentions, if feels we have not had the paradigm shift we strived for.  We have not changed the landscape of aging. 

It’s all just a rebrand.

Ageism remains one of the last socially accepted prejudices. And while age-related beliefs have power to positively affect our health, studies show a majority of women are afraid to grow old; fears go beyond age-related disease and dying, but stem from an idealization of youth and concerns about aging’s impact on mental health, career and personal lives.  The below video might just be the empowerment you need to begin to feel otherwise.

I wanted to believe “pro-aging” surpassed “anti-aging” (a term that should be abolished altogether), but the fact is we don’t need another word.  We need a new attitude.  I propose no more modifiers.  Just “Aging.”  Let’s learn to live with the less is more here.  It will not only enhance our aging journey but teach the next generation. We don’t need to couch aging.

Better yet, why not have fun with growing older and all the wisdom — and vulnerability — it entails.  I’m Not Dead, a new multimedia company by stylist extraordinaire Sarah Clary and TEDx speaker and champion for women Christina Glickman, is doing just that.  They are speaking to me — and you — through a podcast, newsletter and more. Brava to their brilliant ethos, showcased below.

I’m not dead.
What does it mean?

It may mean something different for you
than it does for us.

For us, it is a state of being.

It’s the unapologetic fearlessness, blind confidence and don’t-give-a-shit attitude that you muster when you face something—anything—that you think
you can't make it through, even if that
something is yourself.

You may find help in reflection, humor, friendship,
wine and even patience.

Sometimes, just when you think you can’t make it to the other side, whatever is holding you back actually turns into the strength that gets you through and makes you feel most like yourself and completely alive.

See, not dead at all.

Aging (with a capital A) is about showing up for ourselves.  I am not even close to done; I feel like I am just getting started. 

How about you?