Why is Age so Important?
0posted 30th September, 2010 under Food for Thought.
When was the last time your age came up in conversation? Interestingly, people disclose their age to others on average 3 times a week. And 1 out of every 5 will lie about their age. Take my neighbour for example – she has been 52 for the last 8 years.
So, why is the number of years we have been on earth so important to us? And more interestingly, why does it shape us and our choices so significantly?
If age is simply a number to quantify our living time, then where do the rules about what is “age appropriate” come from? For example, walking down the street the other day, a friend and I noticed a 60 something year old man wearing skater boy clothes. It definitely struck us as odd, but got us to thinking, “Why is that odd?” Just because he physically doesn’t appear youthful youth doesn’t mean he should be limited from wearing certain clothes? The same applies to women. When we reach a “certain age” our wardrobe gets an “age appropriate” makeover with our colorful, trendy threads being traded in for boring slacks and blouses.
Being “age appropriate” does not just apply to clothes, either. Our attitudes seem to mold as well. While I understand that as we get older we may become slightly wiser, it seems we also become more conservative. The expression “Oh I’m too old for that” becomes apart of the 30 and over vernacular. It’s as though living carefree and doing somersaults in the park are a distant memory. Why? If you are 60 and can still do a somersault, then go ahead and do it!
In our “age conscious” society we can fake our youth with botox, but this is only going to temporarily change the surface. If you want to be more youthful then the first place to start is with your behaviour. If you have children, take a tip from them. Watch how they laugh and live with carefree indifference. This is the essence of youth. It can’t be bottled and then smeared over your body, but it can change the way you feel about yourself, permanently.
This week – the Femme Files challenges you to do something childish! Tell us if you dare and the best response will win an Arbonne skin care pack.
From Brianna at the FF
