Chapter 1: Rethinking Aging

Aging is often viewed negatively in our society, yet it shouldn't be seen this way.

Helena Bonham Carter, a 56-year-old actress, recently reflected on this stigma, stating, “Aging is considered a dirty word. We are so fixated on it that it feels almost pathological. There’s a certain shame associated with it.” During her interview on BBC radio, she expressed that she feels more content now than ever and has no desire to revert to her younger days, even though she has also described menopause as akin to “losing one’s sanity.”

She also emphasized an important truth:

Menopause Myths, Mysteries, and Misconceptions

Can we break the silence and eliminate the stigma surrounding menopause?

Carter shared a valuable insight: “While we can’t control our appearance, we often believe we can. Instead, there are numerous other aspects we should focus on.”

It’s noteworthy that she’s not alone in her viewpoint. Many individuals in their later years report greater happiness compared to those in midlife.

Research suggests that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve, dipping during middle age and rising to higher levels in later life.

Whether this upward trend begins in your 50s, 60s, or even later depends on various factors, such as when children leave home, how you choose to spend your newfound time, your health status, job satisfaction, financial security for retirement, and more.

Though not every aspect is under your control, studies indicate that the wisdom and perspective gained through aging can foster joy and satisfaction, even amidst challenges. We learn to cherish what we possess and pay less attention to what we lack.

The core message is clear:

Embracing the Future

Chances are there are brighter days ahead if you accept what lies ahead, dismiss the damaging anti-aging narratives, prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health through exercise, nutrition, restorative sleep, and perhaps mindfulness. Remember, stressing about aging may accelerate the aging process itself, as research suggests.

The first video, Why Aging Became a Dirty Word and How to Reclaim It by Karen Walrond, explores the societal stigma around aging and how to shift this narrative.

In the second video, Why Aging Became a Dirty Word and How to Reclaim It by Karen Walrond, the speaker discusses reclaiming the positives of aging.

The Quest for Longevity

The modern pursuit of immortality, initiated three decades ago, aims to find solutions to aging. Have we made significant progress after investing billions into this research?

This article was initially published in my Age Wise newsletter on Substack. Your support allows me to continue sharing insights on health and wellness. You can subscribe for updates on my Medium publications, join Medium to directly support my work, access all Medium stories, follow my health news on Mastodon, or check out my book: Make Sleep Your Superpower: A Guide to Greater Health, Happiness & Productivity (available in paperback or Kindle). — Rob