How do I become this woman when I’m older?
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Anonymous
+1 It's attitude and luck. In Paris, lots of elderly women still dress very stylishly and they're out and about at the hip places. Middle aged and elderly women can become invisible. It's sad, but they need to dress well and do their hair and makeup just to be included in society. I completely understand why some women give up and just embrace being older. I'd like to hopefully stay somewhat current and stay connected to younger family members, but I also have no interest in making a bunch of friends who are 20+ years younger than I am. My good friends are all about my age. |
Anonymous
This is what I want - to be hands on involved with my family and grandbabies, to not favor anyone (or have any of them feel slighted), and for them to want to spend time around me and with me. It seems that people who are warm and active with their grandkids, were equally exceptional parents. Those who are not involved, but would prefer to go on about how "busy" they are - not so much. Also agree with PPs who said if you are "cool now" - then it is less of an effort to be stylish and engaging when you are older. It takes being active and social, but it also helps to win the genetic lottery, too. |
Anonymous
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That is my goal as well OP‼️
To be “forever young.” I think primarily one must be born w/good genes. So if you won the genetic lottery - take your parents out to dinner tonight! Hahaha!! After that eat well, exercise, practice good self-care + try not manage stress levels daily. Take excellent care of your hair, skin, teeth and weight and always wear fun, sometimes bright (!) colors vs. sticking w/bland grays/tans/blacks/browns, etc. Keep up to date on current fads/trends and focus on both physical as well as mental health equally! |
Anonymous
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+ try to |
Anonymous
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So much goes into it ... most already mentioned.
I think it's genes/luck/curiosity/exercise/good food/socialization. |
Anonymous
| Combat sarcopenia with lifting heavy things. Build the muscles that support your spine so that you have more balance to reduce your risk of falling. Also, jumping in different planes than you are used to will help build bone and balance. In short, muscle, bone, balance. |
Anonymous
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You described my 80-year old (widowed after 52 years 5 years ago). She really grew in independence and self-reliance after my dad passed. She's always been a go-getter, can't sit still. She's always been stylish. She has an inner strength like nobody I've ever seen. Bought a condo in a retirement facility last year on her own (called and told us), put the house of 50-years on the market herself---packed up the damn thing, got it ready to sell, found her own realtor, etc...a dynamo. She said she couldn't take the loneliness one day longer.
Her best friend at the new facility is a 90-year old dynamo that calls everyone else 'boring' and drink martinis before noon. My mom drives her to appointments and thinks she's a hoot. She started dinner parties on her hall and is taking advantage of all the trips and events the community has to offer. The change I have seen in her the past 2 years has been amazing. Total life goals--and keep living your best life until the end...what's the alternative? as she likes to say. |
Anonymous
^ oh she mowed her own lawn, gardened, daily walks and she works out. She said people must think she's a crazy lady because she is always outside walking the grounds. Use it or lose it!! |
Anonymous
| Exercise and a decent diet. |
Anonymous
| Exercise. Stay busy. Socialize. |
Anonymous
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They work until they are 70-80 even if they sell seashells by the seashore.
They exercise, eat healthy, have friends and laugh a lot…. But they also work. The reality is they don’t 100% retire early. |
Anonymous
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I visit my mother in assisted living. One of the women with the strongest movement and ability to walk took dance and other classes way back to build her strength.
You can tell from her straight posture and the fluidity of her movement that she has exercised. My mother hates exercise and loves to eat sugar. She’s not in terrible shape for her age but she has to use a walker. I order physical therapy for her because she will do the exercises with someone there. To her credit, she claims to take walks so that could help too if she is being truthful. |
Anonymous
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Exercise, spend time with diverse ages, continue trying new things.
My mom is an older professor and spends a lot of time with undergrads and grad students - she approaches everything with such curiosity and willingness to learn new things and she's pretty hip! She's always going to try some new restaurant her students told her about or attending cultural events with friends. She gets us to go shopping with her, asks for styling advice, and exercises every day (bikes, hikes, runs, walks, does yoga). She's only in her late 60s now but I compare her to my MIL and they are the precursors to the women you are describing. My MIL is lovely but she moves very slowly, doesn't exercise at all - she'll drive 4-5 blocks to pick up milk at the store - and spends too much time on Facebook getting fed conspiracy theories, misinformation and old lady groupthink. |
Anonymous
I mean it's sort of like how Heidi Klum was talking about people saying they didn't understand how to be thin and fit post-baby and she was like "well, what were you like before?" It sounds like this lady has been with it for a lifetime.... |
Anonymous
| If you're not that now, you will not magically become that person at 80. |