Living Fully and Aging Gracefully at 70
Human beings are funny. Even though we know we won’t be here forever, we still act like we’re immortal. I just turned 70, and doing the math… maybe ten to fifteen “good” years left, if I’m lucky. God willing, because honestly, nobody’s promised tomorrow.
Ten to fifteen years. That’s it. What do I want to do with them? Looking back, the last decade has been packed with work, work, work. Preoccupied. Overcommitted. Lately, I’ve been trying to dial down the “work mode” and turn up the “enjoyment mode” while still making a few dollars on the side, because a little extra never hurts. I want to help people while I’m still here, but I don’t want to spend every moment in grind mode. This is my journey toward living fully and aging gracefully.
Reflections on Life and Mortality
This reflection got more intense when I was watching a show I love, Escape to the Country, where people try to buy homes in the UK. One of the hosts shared something heavy: He had terminal cancer in his 40s and decided to stop everything to spend his remaining time with his family. Sadly, he has since passed.
It made me pause and ask: What if that were me? What if you suddenly got a life-limiting diagnosis? How would you want to spend the rest of your time? These questions are sobering, but they remind us of why it’s so important to live fully and age gracefully.
Aging Isn’t a Disease
Then there’s all the nonsense about a “cure for aging.” Come on! Aging isn’t a disease. It’s a natural part of life, a step along the journey, not something to be “cured.” And I absolutely hate the term “anti-aging.” Anti-aging? Really? Aging is just another phase, like adolescence, adulthood, or middle age.
Embrace it, be happy with it. That’s the difference between people who know themselves and are comfortable in their skin—and those who aren’t. It’s about self-esteem, starting from childhood and carrying you through your teens, young adulthood, middle age… all the way to your later years.
For more on building confidence and self-esteem as you age, check out my other posts on embracing your best life after 60.
Staying Relevant
The only real challenge with aging is staying relevant. But think about it like this: Staying relevant isn’t about society’s approval. It’s about being relevant to yourself. If the world thinks you’re out of touch or past your prime, that’s on them. Your sense of self is what matters. Change that mindset, and life opens up in ways you didn’t expect.
According to the CDC, life expectancy for men in the U.S. is around 78 years and 81 for women, which reminds us that time is precious. Read more here.
Aging Gracefully
Aging gracefully means accepting reality. Accepting that you can’t be at 70 what you were at 60, 50, or 40. That’s not a loss; it’s a new chapter. Accept and embrace the reality of growing older. Celebrate the wisdom, experience, and freedom that comes with it. Aging isn’t a punishment, it’s a privilege.
And if you live it fully, with self-respect, humor, and joy, these later years can be some of the best of your life.
