Aside from celebrating my birthdays around the world, this essay resonates with me! I love my 50s! I feel like I’m me again -instead of pieces of everyone else. Didn’t Dr. Seuss tell his readers to, “become more YOUier”? That’s what my 50s have been for me. I have four somewhat older kids and I wish I could explain to them the wisdom gained with aging; but like Proust says, you’ve got to go through it to earn it. Life seems to be lived backwards sometimes.
I love this, Amy. Well said. "I feel like I’m me again -instead of pieces of everyone else." I feel the same. And I never heard that Seuss quote. I love it. It's definitely been my trajectory.
You've reminded me of a Willa Cather quote that I love. I'm going to share it here because I think you'll like it, too. It comes from O, Pioneers! "Neither Oscar nor Lou has changed much; they have simply, as Alexandra said of them long ago, grown to be more and more like themselves."
Btw, thanks for developing the MEA and publishing your ideas. I'm 63 as well and am just (finally!) coming to realize how permeated I've been with ageist beliefs that have made me fear my future instead of embrace it as another part of my life adventure. Now I'm doing much more of the latter.
Bravo to aging. I threw myself a surprise 50th bday pretty celebrating becoming a Crone (5 years early but the time felt right)! Spent a month enjoying the acknowledgment of aging! 50 years, 50 friends, 50 days all about the wisdom of time! That was 28 years ago .. Still aging (thankfully) and still reviewing the awareness, and peace, that wisdom offers.
Chip is such a gem. I’m highly recommend the Modern Elder Retreats. I was lucky enough to attend one and it was incredible. I love the main picture — totally captures his wonderful energy. 💜
I love this. Definitely resonated with me. I’m now getting into a groove, loving my early 50s, that shedding of caring what others think, and getting to a deeper version of myself. Also, the phrase “admiration addict”. Never heard that, but it describes something I’ve let go, or at least still working on letting go.
Hi Chip! I loved reading your responses today. I love how Sari Botton brings together people like you and me, who never in a million years would have met. A life-long Philadelphia girl, I will be in Santa Fe the first week in August and WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU! I am planning a reading and book-signing at Garcia Street Books and would love nothing more than to invite you as my most esteemed guest. Are you wondering who the heck is Margaret Mandell? You're not alone. I wonder the same thing every day. However, thanks to the munificence of our beloved Sari Botton, the great pollinator, you can find out on Oldster on January 29. Thank you again for telling your amazing story, and to Sari for spreading the pollen.
There are so many gems in this interview and if I could only borrow (or claim?) one, that would be "age-fluid". Oh, if I could beg for one more, it would be "chrysalis", that mid-life is not a crisis but a chrysalis.
Aside from celebrating my birthdays around the world, this essay resonates with me! I love my 50s! I feel like I’m me again -instead of pieces of everyone else. Didn’t Dr. Seuss tell his readers to, “become more YOUier”? That’s what my 50s have been for me. I have four somewhat older kids and I wish I could explain to them the wisdom gained with aging; but like Proust says, you’ve got to go through it to earn it. Life seems to be lived backwards sometimes.
I love this, Amy. Well said. "I feel like I’m me again -instead of pieces of everyone else." I feel the same. And I never heard that Seuss quote. I love it. It's definitely been my trajectory.
Lived backwards, yes!
Me, too.
You've reminded me of a Willa Cather quote that I love. I'm going to share it here because I think you'll like it, too. It comes from O, Pioneers! "Neither Oscar nor Lou has changed much; they have simply, as Alexandra said of them long ago, grown to be more and more like themselves."
Btw, thanks for developing the MEA and publishing your ideas. I'm 63 as well and am just (finally!) coming to realize how permeated I've been with ageist beliefs that have made me fear my future instead of embrace it as another part of my life adventure. Now I'm doing much more of the latter.
I love that quote. Thank you for sharing it here.
Bravo to aging. I threw myself a surprise 50th bday pretty celebrating becoming a Crone (5 years early but the time felt right)! Spent a month enjoying the acknowledgment of aging! 50 years, 50 friends, 50 days all about the wisdom of time! That was 28 years ago .. Still aging (thankfully) and still reviewing the awareness, and peace, that wisdom offers.
45 to 50 were also "dark, gooey, and solitary" for me, and I love the chrysalis image!
Me, too. It's also what it's felt like for me.
Chip is such a gem. I’m highly recommend the Modern Elder Retreats. I was lucky enough to attend one and it was incredible. I love the main picture — totally captures his wonderful energy. 💜
I love this. Definitely resonated with me. I’m now getting into a groove, loving my early 50s, that shedding of caring what others think, and getting to a deeper version of myself. Also, the phrase “admiration addict”. Never heard that, but it describes something I’ve let go, or at least still working on letting go.
I love this guy! Writing to "honor your interior life!" Perfect.
Hi Chip! I loved reading your responses today. I love how Sari Botton brings together people like you and me, who never in a million years would have met. A life-long Philadelphia girl, I will be in Santa Fe the first week in August and WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU! I am planning a reading and book-signing at Garcia Street Books and would love nothing more than to invite you as my most esteemed guest. Are you wondering who the heck is Margaret Mandell? You're not alone. I wonder the same thing every day. However, thanks to the munificence of our beloved Sari Botton, the great pollinator, you can find out on Oldster on January 29. Thank you again for telling your amazing story, and to Sari for spreading the pollen.
❤️
Just turned 60. And yes, yes, hell yes. 😊
Interesting person. But I have to wonder, will all that energy and sense of self: does he have any kids?
At 58, as mother of a 17-year-old, I can only dream of having the mental space to fully embrace middle-aging.
Chip, you had me at "Halloween Baby".
There are so many gems in this interview and if I could only borrow (or claim?) one, that would be "age-fluid". Oh, if I could beg for one more, it would be "chrysalis", that mid-life is not a crisis but a chrysalis.
Fantastic response to life's different phases and challenges, even illness.
I think I’m in love. Thanks for the introduction!
Chip's observations always help me process what I'm experiencing. Love that he is lighting the path to aging with joy and purpose.
I resonated with so much of what you said.
As Bevy Smith says, “It gets greater later.” At 64, I’m totally on board with that.