086: The Power of Advocating for Yourself as You Age

Me, myself, and I.

That's not a statement of self-centeredness.

But it is a statement relative to being in your own "corner" when necessary.

Being your own "wing-person" or advocate is increasingly essential in the aging journey.

Unfortunately, advocating for yourself is necessary for your healthcare, your current job or career, your retirement, even your relationships.

There's too much risk in leaving things to chance or up to the powers that be.

Why?

Well, it's a look out for number one culture we live in.

And with ageism becoming more and more of a reality for those in the second half of life it's vital that you stand up for yourself.

I'm not suggesting that you're one step away from being a victim.

Although I'd rather you be in a position of strength on your own behalf instead of falling prey to naive trust or being taken advantage of.

Maybe Mel Robbins is a skeptic or maybe she's encouraging you to stay vigilant, when she says, "No one's coming...no one's coming."

Waiting to be rescued or waiting for answers - my question is why wait?

Lose the "wait" and begin to advocate for yourself so you can live from a position of strength as you age

I recently felt like life was living me instead of me living my life.

I was feeling mounting pressure in a few areas of my life simply because I had handed control over to a few people and the related circumstances and I was waiting for things to settle down.

Truth is, things rarely settle down.

If there's any settling to be done - it starts with you and me.

It's better to advocate (for yourself) than wait (on someone or something else).

• Maintain awareness
• Rest in acceptance
• Master adaptability

Maintain ongoing awareness

Being aware isn't the same as undue paranoia.

Awareness is informative - paranoia is anxious and fearful.

It's useful as you age to be aware.

• Aware of new ideas and better ways of doing things
• Aware of who's in charge (and who's not)
• Aware of who's opinions matter
• Aware of who your true friends are
• Aware of your health and wellness
• Aware of your options and solutions
• Aware of your alternatives

If any of those trigger your awareness, do some deeper reflection about whether you're waiting or advocating.

Rest in acceptance

Some things you must accept as you age.

Other things you can call BS on and defy age.

The age is a number mindset helps here.

And sometimes that mindset gives you the power to choose to accept what you can't change - either way age is still your number with the right attitude attached.

Ultimately, acceptance gives you pause.

• To let go of what you can't control
• To discover the deeper truths that denial prevents you from discovering
• To seek a Plan B when your Plan A has run its course

Advocating for yourself isn't always about trying to change something - it could be simply slowing your roll to accept an alternative solution.

If you don't "rest" and reset you risk discovering a better path.

Master the ability to adapt

I'm more and more convinced that adaptability is key to effective living overall, and especially as you age.

Times change and you might, at whatever age you are, find that frustrating or downright scary.

Your capacity to adapt and roll-with-the-changes gives you flex when you need to advocate for yourself.

Not all efforts at advocation produce favorable outcomes.

In those moments some adaptability is essential.

• Keep an open mind but don't allow your accumulated wisdom to be hijacked.
• Apply critical thinking when what you see and hear looks or sounds unqualified or unreasonable.
• Make a choice, take action, and adapt as necessary

Having your own back or being in your own corner isn't self-centered, instead it's your courageous effort to be in a position to advocate for yourself when necessary

• Maintain ongoing awareness
• Rest in acceptance
• Master the ability to adapt

Press on...

Eddie