I believe it is so important to not let a number determine how you feel about yourself. There is already enough ageism around us in the day to day. The pandemic prepared me for spending time with myself and learning to enjoy reading and doing watercolor and not depending upon others to include or exclude me. I am grateful for the perspective that I have at this age 76. Every day is a new first!
I feel much the same as you. I was made redundant at 60 and at the time here in the UK no one wanted people like me not even for menial tasks so I curled up a died then 8 months ago I woke up.I think more like a Phoenix I rose up out of the ashes and at 76 began my life again. I decided to write joined Substack and am about to start a new business aptly named The Yorkshire Fenix. We'll see where that leads. More power to your elbow.
As I head towards 60 in May, thinking about what it means or what I want it to mean for me, it’s refreshing to read that Susan doesn’t have a rigid mindset about aging. Except for health-related challenges, why should we?! The Library Book is still one of my favorite reads! Dry skin for the win🙌🏼
Enjoyed this so much! She has such a beautiful outlook and so very talented.
This really hit home to me - “…I rarely experience something now that doesn’t have some resonance with an occurrence in my past.” I , myself need to remember this.
Wonderful interview! To be honest, I hadn't heard of Susan Orlean before. Some of her titles sounded familiar, but also I've been alive for the same amount of time she's worked at The New Yorker ;). I added her titles to my Goodreads and am excited to dive into them, especially "The Library Book."
My favorite thing about listening to others significantly older than myself is all of their insecurities have subsided. They become the most rock-star badass women as they age because they truly stop giving any fucks. I appreciate that-- and it makes me look forward to growing old myself. I am still young with fears, insecurities (thought they've gotten MUCH better than my twenties) and am inspired by your share. Thank you, Sari, for capturing this wonderful chat!
Thanks for your post. I am 55 and feel much younger than my age even with rotator cuff problems and mild arthristis. I am an older mom as well. I had my son at 38 and I have always been the older mom but I don't feel like it. My son is 16 and most my people my age are becoming or are grandparents, we haven't even gone college shopping yet. I have very good mom friends that are 5, 10 even 15 years younger, but I don't feel the age difference. I think it has to do with where you are in life. Thanks again for writing this article!
Well,I found this riveting as I've just turned 69 and some of it I can totally identify with,some of it not but due to my different personality or character and cultural differences ie I'm in UK which makes more of a difference than would be thought but that could also be due to my social class too (quite near the bottom). And that is real,in real life reality despite our "egalitarian" society. I live only 35 minutes drive from King Charles country home of Highgrove near Tetbury but he's never yet invited me to drop in for a cup of tea! I'm joking,my next door neighbour hasnt either. Most people assume I'm aged between 48 - 52. I know this . And it's not a blessing,it's a curse. You don't.get offered a seat. You are assumed to be stronger and more vigorous than you are. And some of the people in your locality giving you the squinty old fish eye they think youre on welfare benefits not the state pension you paid in for. ( You know it's a Ponzi scheme really).
In 1960 when I was 5 old people all had white hair,they had wrinkly faces,they used a walking stick. They dressed like proper old people,the men and the ladies. BUT (in my east Bristol working class locality) no old person had DEMENTIA. They were all sharp as tacks,wits quicker then a winning greyhound and in a second could bring down any pretentiousness with a blood drawing sharp word,quick as a knife.
The old people of my childhood they were fearless and up to anyone and no one got the better of em.
I often wish I could be a "proper" old person instead of a sort of superannuated teenager. So that's what I can identify with.
At 60, I watch my mother, who is 83, age and it's quite an experience to share her losses and challenges as her caregiver. In some ways I feel it will be helpful as I get older, perhaps prepare me better. And in other ways I wonder if it has predestined me mentally to expect certain things. All I know is that physical challenges make aging so much more difficult in myriad ways. The aspects of my mother's life that I've watched taken from her - the ability to drive, the energy she used to have, the social circle that has diminished for multiple reasons - makes me sad. I live in dissonance every day.
Great interview. Not using age as an excuse is the advice I would also give. In addition, being around people of all ages is inspiring. I taught college for many years and had a child later in life as well. Their perspective was/is important to me. In addition, as an artist, I have many artist friends older than me who blow away all the ageism conventions.
I believe it is so important to not let a number determine how you feel about yourself. There is already enough ageism around us in the day to day. The pandemic prepared me for spending time with myself and learning to enjoy reading and doing watercolor and not depending upon others to include or exclude me. I am grateful for the perspective that I have at this age 76. Every day is a new first!
I feel much the same as you. I was made redundant at 60 and at the time here in the UK no one wanted people like me not even for menial tasks so I curled up a died then 8 months ago I woke up.I think more like a Phoenix I rose up out of the ashes and at 76 began my life again. I decided to write joined Substack and am about to start a new business aptly named The Yorkshire Fenix. We'll see where that leads. More power to your elbow.
As I head towards 60 in May, thinking about what it means or what I want it to mean for me, it’s refreshing to read that Susan doesn’t have a rigid mindset about aging. Except for health-related challenges, why should we?! The Library Book is still one of my favorite reads! Dry skin for the win🙌🏼
Enjoyed this so much! She has such a beautiful outlook and so very talented.
This really hit home to me - “…I rarely experience something now that doesn’t have some resonance with an occurrence in my past.” I , myself need to remember this.
Thanks Susan and Sari.
Wonderful interview! To be honest, I hadn't heard of Susan Orlean before. Some of her titles sounded familiar, but also I've been alive for the same amount of time she's worked at The New Yorker ;). I added her titles to my Goodreads and am excited to dive into them, especially "The Library Book."
My favorite thing about listening to others significantly older than myself is all of their insecurities have subsided. They become the most rock-star badass women as they age because they truly stop giving any fucks. I appreciate that-- and it makes me look forward to growing old myself. I am still young with fears, insecurities (thought they've gotten MUCH better than my twenties) and am inspired by your share. Thank you, Sari, for capturing this wonderful chat!
Thanks for your post. I am 55 and feel much younger than my age even with rotator cuff problems and mild arthristis. I am an older mom as well. I had my son at 38 and I have always been the older mom but I don't feel like it. My son is 16 and most my people my age are becoming or are grandparents, we haven't even gone college shopping yet. I have very good mom friends that are 5, 10 even 15 years younger, but I don't feel the age difference. I think it has to do with where you are in life. Thanks again for writing this article!
Dry skin! Amen. Thanks Wordy Bird! You're exactly the badass I imagined! 🔥
Love her philosophy on life at her age that we seem to share (I’m 77). Could be the red hair?
Well,I found this riveting as I've just turned 69 and some of it I can totally identify with,some of it not but due to my different personality or character and cultural differences ie I'm in UK which makes more of a difference than would be thought but that could also be due to my social class too (quite near the bottom). And that is real,in real life reality despite our "egalitarian" society. I live only 35 minutes drive from King Charles country home of Highgrove near Tetbury but he's never yet invited me to drop in for a cup of tea! I'm joking,my next door neighbour hasnt either. Most people assume I'm aged between 48 - 52. I know this . And it's not a blessing,it's a curse. You don't.get offered a seat. You are assumed to be stronger and more vigorous than you are. And some of the people in your locality giving you the squinty old fish eye they think youre on welfare benefits not the state pension you paid in for. ( You know it's a Ponzi scheme really).
In 1960 when I was 5 old people all had white hair,they had wrinkly faces,they used a walking stick. They dressed like proper old people,the men and the ladies. BUT (in my east Bristol working class locality) no old person had DEMENTIA. They were all sharp as tacks,wits quicker then a winning greyhound and in a second could bring down any pretentiousness with a blood drawing sharp word,quick as a knife.
The old people of my childhood they were fearless and up to anyone and no one got the better of em.
I often wish I could be a "proper" old person instead of a sort of superannuated teenager. So that's what I can identify with.
At 60, I watch my mother, who is 83, age and it's quite an experience to share her losses and challenges as her caregiver. In some ways I feel it will be helpful as I get older, perhaps prepare me better. And in other ways I wonder if it has predestined me mentally to expect certain things. All I know is that physical challenges make aging so much more difficult in myriad ways. The aspects of my mother's life that I've watched taken from her - the ability to drive, the energy she used to have, the social circle that has diminished for multiple reasons - makes me sad. I live in dissonance every day.
Great interview. Not using age as an excuse is the advice I would also give. In addition, being around people of all ages is inspiring. I taught college for many years and had a child later in life as well. Their perspective was/is important to me. In addition, as an artist, I have many artist friends older than me who blow away all the ageism conventions.
Inspiring!
This Susan sounds way more interesting than me. And she’s a redhead, too.
What a wonderful read, and inspiring in the spirit of instinctual, youthful spirited anti-aging rather than a rage against time.
I'm only 52 but know several people in the vicinity of 70 who have a similar attitude as Susan. It's great to have role models.
Other senators from across the country
actually wrote to me,
about the problems they faced. Here is an article to me in Hawaii,
from New Hampshire:
https://kuster.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=2597
From Congresswoman Ann Mclane Kuster
new Hampshire.