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I SEE THIS LABEL used a lot. But it hit me that I really didn’t know what “senior” means. I know it’s used to describe old people. But truthfully, I don’t know what “old” means, either.
We’ve been manipulated into believing that, when we turn 65, we automatically turn old—which isn’t true. It’s a mistake to label people based on their age, because biological age can vary considerably from chronological age. A person’s age is a meaningless number unless we’re dealing with hard-and-fast rules, like when we’re eligible to claim Social Security and Medicare.
I like hanging around retirement rebels—people who are rebelling against outdated beliefs about old people and what it means to be retired. We’ve been brainwashed into believing that people aren’t supposed to celebrate their 100th birthday by skydiving, and that they shouldn’t attempt an Ironman in their 80s, start a new business in their 70s or complete that degree they never finished in their 90s. But “seniors” are doing all these things—and they’re the people having all the fun in retirement.
Retirement rebels remain kids at heart, living on the edge, exploring their potential, travelling to new places, meeting new people, learning new technologies and entering marathons in different countries, and posting about it on social media. Are these people old? I think not.
I don’t like the many negative stereotypes about the aged. However, I also don’t like the mindset that celebrates youth and, among other things, results in an obsession with trying to hide the signs of aging.
I am definitely old in years even though I am in excellent health and very active. Readily acknowledging one’s age can be thought of as somewhat similar to coming out of the closet or not trying to hide one’s disability. Attitudes towards those of us who are old can only change if others realize that we are, in fact, old.
68 y o … As I finish my 45 minute high intensity workout every morning I think of the young people who won’t take the stairs or walk across a parking lot to enter a store … I view it as the best investment I’ll ever make … time will tell but so far so good
Every time I go to the gym and see so many active folks in their retirement years it confirms what I know will be part of my routine 4-5 days a week. Sounds like a great investment to me!!
This gentleman earned a PhD in Physics at 89. Wow!
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/07/1052005447/brown-university-89-phd-physics-dream
Our society likes labels and generalization. Didn’t you know “seniors” are all poor, slow, don’t understand technology, and deserve discounts just because they (we) are old.
I love it when a clerk or server tells me they are giving me a senior discount. I then ask them how they know I am eligible.