I appreciate to question far more than you may realize. I'm 76 years young, and 76 years wise. I'm too old for bullies who have no place in my life. I'm too old for persistent anger and rage. I'm too old for being, and embracing, victimhood - the oh, whoa is me sort of victimhood.
I'm young enough to love being outdoors. I'm young enough to be a novice ornithologist and got a good pair of binoculars (and downloaded the incredible Merlin app to identify what I see). I'm young enough to travel to amazing places and engage with local people. I'm young enough to embrace my wrinkles and laugh lines, all a roadmap to my experience and what has become a rich, full life.
I'm balanced enough to accept real physical limits and to embrace the workarounds: I can no longer balance on a bicycle, but I love to ride; the solution is an adult tricycle which I highly recommend - they're cute, they're fun, and for people with balance issues, they're a smart choice.
I'm too old to be shamed into invisibility by a society that worships youth so much it tries to erase us.
I lost you as a subscriber, Judith, but look forward to reading more of your essential and important work. Thanks for this thoughtful comment. I'm doing my damnedest to go back through old emails and catch up on comments...it's been a very busy couple of months.
I just responded in the wrong place. You lost me as a paid subscriber because I am too strapped for cash right now. I love your substack but can’t do a paid subscription at the moment. I will continue to read, and will someday upgrade to paid again. I hope you understand.
Thank you. One thought: what does it look like to "focus" on your health? What are the habits that will get you there? You don't have to tell me. That's for you.
I'm too old for stories ... just the facts Ma'am. With truth having become subjective, people have trouble identifying themselves outside of their stories. "Who would I be without my story?"
As a therapist and coach, stories are an active part of what I do, but, just like beliefs, they are what people want them to be - not necessarily what is. So, for 2025, I just want the facts because I'm too old for stories.
Julia! It's been a pleasure as usual, following you around this year. Even cooler, speaking on the phone! I still can't believe you were in my city but the timing didn't work out.
I have no idea what habits I'm kicking in 2025 but I will say that I've been contently "nesting" in my home for the first time in about 15 years. I haven't purposefully taken on home decorating in a long ass time and I forgot how pleasurable it is. Dezi even got herself a new "den" in the deal lol.
Happy travels next year and you can ship Mika here if you need a dog sitter while you're on the road!
I appreciate to question far more than you may realize. I'm 76 years young, and 76 years wise. I'm too old for bullies who have no place in my life. I'm too old for persistent anger and rage. I'm too old for being, and embracing, victimhood - the oh, whoa is me sort of victimhood.
I'm young enough to love being outdoors. I'm young enough to be a novice ornithologist and got a good pair of binoculars (and downloaded the incredible Merlin app to identify what I see). I'm young enough to travel to amazing places and engage with local people. I'm young enough to embrace my wrinkles and laugh lines, all a roadmap to my experience and what has become a rich, full life.
I'm balanced enough to accept real physical limits and to embrace the workarounds: I can no longer balance on a bicycle, but I love to ride; the solution is an adult tricycle which I highly recommend - they're cute, they're fun, and for people with balance issues, they're a smart choice.
I'm too old to be shamed into invisibility by a society that worships youth so much it tries to erase us.
Love this! Thank you Judith!
I lost you as a subscriber, Judith, but look forward to reading more of your essential and important work. Thanks for this thoughtful comment. I'm doing my damnedest to go back through old emails and catch up on comments...it's been a very busy couple of months.
I just responded in the wrong place. You lost me as a paid subscriber because I am too strapped for cash right now. I love your substack but can’t do a paid subscription at the moment. I will continue to read, and will someday upgrade to paid again. I hope you understand.
Perfectly well. I am, too, Judith, in the same place. No worries at all.
I’m getting married at 63. Astonishment. Happy happens.
Thanks for the great reminder about the habits that stick Julia, it can't be said enough!
You are inspiring and I appreciate you for that. My goal is to focus on my health (physical and mental) and of course to keep writing!
Thank you. One thought: what does it look like to "focus" on your health? What are the habits that will get you there? You don't have to tell me. That's for you.
Hmm. Thank you for the push there. I will think about this so I can give myself a more focused approach to reaching my goals.
Thank you!
I’m too old to be feeling too old!!!
I'm too old for stories ... just the facts Ma'am. With truth having become subjective, people have trouble identifying themselves outside of their stories. "Who would I be without my story?"
As a therapist and coach, stories are an active part of what I do, but, just like beliefs, they are what people want them to be - not necessarily what is. So, for 2025, I just want the facts because I'm too old for stories.
Julia! It's been a pleasure as usual, following you around this year. Even cooler, speaking on the phone! I still can't believe you were in my city but the timing didn't work out.
I have no idea what habits I'm kicking in 2025 but I will say that I've been contently "nesting" in my home for the first time in about 15 years. I haven't purposefully taken on home decorating in a long ass time and I forgot how pleasurable it is. Dezi even got herself a new "den" in the deal lol.
Happy travels next year and you can ship Mika here if you need a dog sitter while you're on the road!
Julia, I love how uncompromising you are.