Please define "growing old gracefully"....?

Answer 1

I just glanced at some of the answers, & since it's beddie bye time (yawn) I think I've got a grip on the basic "tone."

Everything seems geared to how to look, how not to look, how to behave, how not to behave, the meaning of "grace" etc., comparisons with other people "of age."

HOW ABOUT: How one FEELS about ONESELF? I'd think this would be the most important of all. The "inner" grace~of growing old. "Gracefully" seeing the benefits as well as the deficits. I suspect old age is gradual, & why not just flow with the harmony of that as in all prior phases of life? If it's attitude, & I think it is, then it really won't matter to the person, if others are critical of their choices of dress, etc., because they'll feel comfortable in their own skins. Isn't that what it's all ABOUT? Just pondering before I make some warm milk....I want to be prepared for this sudden shock!

Edit: Serves me right. I didn't read far enough. Some really great & thoughtful answers. I LOVE the poem about wearing purple!

Answer 2

I would define growing old gracefully, as accepting that as time goes on obviously our looks age with it. To grow old gracefully means you have accepted you should look older and wrinkly as the years go on, but in your heart you are happy that you have lived a fullfilling life and after all you are as old or young as you feel, and beauty is only skin deep. The loveliest thing is seeing 2 old people falling in love.

Answer 3

Think - Helen Mirren, Judy Dench, Julie Walters - all amazing women, beautiful and talented - and all growing old gracefully.

Having plastic surgery in your old age is not necessarily a bad thing, but I feel growing old gracefully means taking care of yourself, not being afraid to release your inner child (look at Helen Mirren how she laughs at herself and Julie Walters who can be as daft as a brush but they do it with style and grace) and not losing your identity as you age.

Too many people seem to think "oh, I should grow up now" meaning - being boring. Life is for living and growing old gracefully can encompass all these things!!

Hope that makes sense!!

Answer 4

I love this poem and think it defines growing old wonderfully!!

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandles, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

Answer 5

Wolfy don't worry one day you will understand - I just wish that I had known all the things I know today when I was younger.

I have friends younger and older then I (55) the problem is I don't feel old yet and I am not sure at what age I will feel old. Maybe when I am eighty .
I will try to "grow old gracefully" when I can accept that I am old.

Answer 6

Stuff growing old gracefully I am going to go down fighting all the way I will keep, fit not smoke or drink too much because that is money in the bank so accept looking old that is not a problem but the brain will for me forever remain young

Answer 7

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5 Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7 Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Answer 8

It means growing up with your age. Accepting it and being comfortable and happy with it. It means not trying to be 21 all your life, keeping up with the young people (many years your junior). Ditching all your teenage/youthful trends and habits and embracing your age with grace and pride. Pass on your wisdom and experiences to your children and grand-children but please don't try to compete with or envy them. We will all grow old (or young) in time and there is no avoiding it. We may as well do it gracefully and without embarassment.

Answer 9

Me. Retired at 48 years of age in 1998. Worked for Citizen's Advice for 3 years to give something back to the community. Now work on a voluntary basis with an organisation that is a Government Department helping children achieve their full potential. I also train people to work with the Department. Very rewarding, very, very challenging. Not grasping for money, comfortable, happy and settled. Worthwhile. I like a glass of the amber nectar and my TV sport, can't play any more due to arthritis. Walk my dog and watch the world. Spend a lot of time on my voluntary work. Relax with Yahoo because I have had a life in the military, law enforcement CAB and my retirement 'hobby'. Keep the brain alive.

Answer 10

I think the best way is to try and look 'good for your age' rather than desperately trying to hold on to a youth which has long passed. Plastic surgery will not actually make you feel younger and, oh the relief, of not having to wear very high heels. I am sure that people like Joan Collins etc must long to be able to succumb to the comfort of age amd enjoy themselves at the age they are. Despite arthritic knees etc I'd rather be me than angst ridden teenagers again. Been there, done that.