Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
People are told “You’re not getting any younger” their whole lives. Typically, the speaker says it with a raised eyebrow and a certain “mhm” look — a negative implication. But why is it a negative thing that we get to keep on living? That’s what aging is: living. It’s the number of days you have experienced circling the sun or the time that’s passed since you were born. It’s not a defining factor in your beauty, health, maturity or behavior.
Society has created an obsession with being youthful, resulting in an implication that you are not beautiful unless you appear young. You must look 25 or younger. It’s heartbreaking. You don’t have to be under 25 to be beautiful. Why is it that after we hit 50 years old, we can’t feel confident in our appearance?
“Your body is a trophy to honor every encounter in your life.”
We’ve turned beauty into a contest, but it’s up to you to opt out of competing. Once you step back and understand that you only get to live life once and love your true self, you will flourish.
You don’t have any control over how your body will change, but neither does anyone else; everyone ages. What you do have control over is how you perceive the experience. You have to accept that new things are coming and express gratitude for the part of life you’ve already lived.
If you constantly neglect your age, you will never feel satisfied with yourself. You will waste many precious moments by not fully accepting who you are. It’s like chasing a high — but instead of a drug, you’re chasing youth. Your age shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of; age is just a fact that no one can change. Be proud of it.
Every year, when a candle is added to the birthday cake, you are given the opportunity to broaden your horizon. You get to explore your mind and expand your deep-thinking skills. The older you get, the more your vocabulary will expand. You will develop a greater insight into the depths of meaning, and you will have learned thousands of lessons. As you age, you build a repertoire of stories.
You have always known that you will get older — you have to accept it because disregard will only cause distress to yourself and others. Ignoring the natural changes that come with aging can lead to a physical and mental decline. Research suggests that individuals who perceive aging negatively live an median of 7.5 years fewer than those with positive perception. Additionally, feeling shameful about aging is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety.
Do yourself a favor, and love yourself for who you are. If you don’t, how will the people around you appreciate your authentic self? If you physically erase every wrinkle and crease, you are erasing every smile and every laugh. Your body is a trophy to honor every encounter in your life. Let it shine how it’s meant to.
I am 20 years old. I know that is young, but I don’t want to get younger. Even after graduating high school, I had to realize that I was entering a new chapter of life. I grew content with beginning this new era, even though I had to let go of some things.
I am now ready to tackle every chapter of my book, excited to grow older with the people I love. I can’t wait to be a parent, then a grandparent. I am excited to grow and keep on experiencing.
Accept that, each day, you grow older. It’s simply a part of life. By embracing it, you allow your mind to develop. It’s up to you to fulfill the emotional growth that should come with age.
Reach Charlotte Seymour at letters@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.
