(ThySistas.com) There is something that happens to all of us. It is an occurrence that we cannot escape. For women, at times it hits us harder than it does men and sometimes, we just don’t know what to do with ourselves. I am talking about getting older.
As a millennial in my early thirties, growing older is something that I have learned to accept. It was not always like that. When you are in your twenties, the world is at your fingertips and your thirties is a nasty word that means nothing to you at the moment. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t freak out a bit when I made the transition from being a young twenty- something to an “old thirty-year-old.” That was my thinking and a lot of people feel that way. But the best
thing that you can do is to embrace the inevitable. Getting older is a beautiful thing and if you do it right, you will only get better.
So if you are having a problem embracing your age, no matter if you’re in your 30s, 40s or 50s, here are some things to consider.
Don’t Dwell
You cannot change the things you did or didn’t do. Sitting around thinking about those things, events, relationships or opportunities that you wish you had another stabbed at does not help you. It does you no good to spend time and energy on that which you cannot change so move forward. If there is something that you missed out on when you were younger, there is truly no time like the present. Do it now. I tell myself, “I cannot change what happened, I can only move forward and do better.”
Be Kind
We can be so hard on ourselves and that can make us miss out on life. Learn to love and appreciate who you are. Celebrate your victories. Pat yourself on the back when you do a good job. Don’t be so hard on yourself. The world is hard enough on us. Be your own safe place.
Wise Up
Realize all the knowledge and wisdom you have gained over the years and use it to your advantage. When I was younger, I’d hear people say, “If I knew then what I know now.” I didn’t realize how true that statement is until I got older and learned some things. There is power in growing older because you become better equipped to reach the goals you have set for yourself.
Focus
As you get older, you don’t have time for the things you once had time for years ago. That is exactly how it should be. Different things are important to you and your focus should be on building something that you can be proud of; something that you can leave to your children and or the world. Use your time now to zone in what really matters- living.
Embracing every single age is so beautiful. The world may tell you, “You’re too old, it’s too late,” but just know you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
Staff Writer; Rasheda Abdullah