107: Choose Radical Optimism as You Age

I choose to be optimistic.

Can't say that about some of what we deal with in life.

But when it comes to aging, I am...optimistic.

It's tempting to be a pessimist about aging.

The media (depending on who you listen to), pharmaceutical ads, and the ageism-promoting, "Okay, Boomer" crowd stoke the flames of pessimism.

Maybe it's not pessimism but rather an attempt to rain-on-your parade.

I say you can't keep a growth and longevity minded person down.

That's the brand of optimism I'm talking about.

To clarify, optimistic aging isn't denial it's a determination to quiet that voices that tell you you can't, shouldn't, or must not at your age.

That's where I draw the line: who says?

Optimism gives you permission to step out of your comfort zone and into what could be a new aging era

• Optimism instills courage
• Optimism encourages an open mind
• Optimism increases mindfulness

Be optimistically courageous

Some might disagree but optimism isn't delusional.

Media (mainstream and social) attempts to keep you in a sky-is-falling mode.

The more fear, anxiety, and pessimism you consume the less reason you have for hope, improvement, and growth.

Without courageous optimism - why try...right?

• Keep your guard up: filter your newsfeed and news consumption.
• Don't believe everything you're told or hear: if it sounds conspiratorial, depressing, or fear-mongering it probably is.
• Step away from the crowd: you be you (and remember age is a number).

Be optimistically open-minded

A closed mind sees no way over, around, or through.

I've shared before, and I believe, everything is figure-outable.

You will continue to age, be ill, experience setbacks and disappointments, and eventually leave this earth.

Denial about such realities reveals close-mindedness.

Open-mindedness accepts those realities but doesn't broadcast them as an answer when you're asked, "How are you?"

"I'm old, sick, disappointed, and will die someday! Thanks for asking!"

I kid, but why not flip the script.

• "I'm aging but active."
• "I'm struggling but growing."
• "I'm gonna die one day but what a legacy I'm creating."

That's open-minded optimism.

Be optimistically mindful

You can be optimistic and also be grounded in reality.

That's called mindfulness.

I'm not talking about a flippant, "It is what it is," mindset.

Radical optimism in aging is rooted in the belief that life can and will improve with an amount of active effort.

This explains why optimistic agers live satisfied, happy, and joyful lives.

• They aren't listening to the ageism, stay-in-your-lane, "Okay, Boomer" crowd.
• They defy the cultural norms of aging by avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and refusing to be put-out-to-pasture (or to bed).
• They are conscious of their capacity to live, laugh, and love as much as they did in their younger decades.

Optimistic agers ask, "who says?" and answer with a radical "why not?"

• Optimism instills courage
• Optimism encourages an open mind
• Optimism increases mindfulness

Press on...

Eddie