Discover inspiring insights on aging gracefully, overcoming regrets, and finding happiness in your 70s and beyond from someone who's living it.
In my sixties, I wrote Getting Old—a book about my early experiences with aging. Though I wasn't "very old" yet, I wanted to confront the reality head-on. The book's success led to speaking engagements, unintentionally making me a "professional oldster." After a break, I've returned to this inevitable journey we all face.
"Age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." — Danish Proverb
My double knee replacement at 71 offered profound insights:
- Experienced temporary frailty like many elderly face permanently
- Met incredible caregivers from around the world (Honduras, Tanzania, Afghanistan)
- Learned the power of human connection in vulnerable moments
When I asked 93-year-old Nancy about being "really old," she surprised me:
- Only recently began considering herself old
- At 92, she was still taking buses across New York and visiting museums daily
- Her secrets:
- A lust for life
- Daily engagement with the world (reading the NY Times without glasses!)
- Artistic passion that provides complete absorption
- Endless curiosity about people's stories
My friend Frieda, 74 with Parkinson's and financial worries, shows how attitude matters:
- Still dresses up and dances until midnight (with two artificial hips and one knee)
- Believes "happiness is overrated"—focus on living instead
- Maintains vibrant social connections despite challenges
In meditation, I visualized:
- Physical weight of past mistakes dragging me down
- Specific regrets (harsh words, neglected relationships) as literal chains
- The liberating moment of choosing to drop them
Research shows surprising trends:
- Happiness increases significantly after 60
- People in their 70s-80s report highest life satisfaction
- My personal realization: I'd crossed a happiness threshold without noticing
You're neither old nor young when:
- Savoring your morning coffee
- Watching swans take flight with a friend
- Cooking a favorite meal
- Creating something for loved ones
These experiences remind us: we're simply alive. The numbers matter less than how we fill our days with meaning and connection.
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