As the end of the quarter is upon us all, I find myself reflecting on the significant impact this class had on my previous misconceptions of aging. I went into this class with the intent to learn how to make a positive impact among the lives of seniors — particularly homeless seniors. What I’ve taken away from this class is far more than I could have ever anticipated. While I certainly have learned how I can be a better human to those of the senior population, I’ve also been forced to reflect on my own previous beliefs I once used to have about growing older.
Throughout my twenties, I used to dread the day I turned 30. Fully believing it was a marker of the end of the “best” era of my life. I laugh at the naivety of my younger self now. Ironically, if I could sum up my twenties, it would be a decade I would not want to go back to. I had copious amounts of highs but equally, lows. It was a decade ridden with debilitating anxiety and self-limiting beliefs. I prioritized my own self, on a journey of hyper-individualism. I cared far too much of what others thought of me. More so, I internalized those beliefs. As I inched closer to 30, I began to let go of all those misconceptions I carried about myself in my heart. I slowly stopped equating my worth as a woman to my youth and I began to live more aligned of my true values. Love hard, play hard.
Thanks to this class, I’ve now come to the realization of what an honor it is to grow older. What an honor it is to almost be entering into a new decade in my life. It is a privilege to make it another year, even another day. At times I’ve been so far into my head that I’ve forgotten the magic in the start of a new day. I am so especially thankful to the few seniors I got to chat with throughout this course and the seniors I’ve learned from in “Happiness is a Choice You Make.” Especially Jonas, who has reminded me to always trust my angels. They have never led me astray.
Throughout my twenties, I used to dread the day I turned 30. Fully believing it was a marker of the end of the “best” era of my life. I laugh at the naivety of my younger self now. Ironically, if I could sum up my twenties, it would be a decade I would not want to go back to. I had copious amounts of highs but equally, lows. It was a decade ridden with debilitating anxiety and self-limiting beliefs. I prioritized my own self, on a journey of hyper-individualism. I cared far too much of what others thought of me. More so, I internalized those beliefs. As I inched closer to 30, I began to let go of all those misconceptions I carried about myself in my heart. I slowly stopped equating my worth as a woman to my youth and I began to live more aligned of my true values. Love hard, play hard.
Thanks to this class, I’ve now come to the realization of what an honor it is to grow older. What an honor it is to almost be entering into a new decade in my life. It is a privilege to make it another year, even another day. At times I’ve been so far into my head that I’ve forgotten the magic in the start of a new day. I am so especially thankful to the few seniors I got to chat with throughout this course and the seniors I’ve learned from in “Happiness is a Choice You Make.” Especially Jonas, who has reminded me to always trust my angels. They have never led me astray.