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Life As We Age is Surprising
How Do You Adjust to Changes When You’re Seventy-Five?
I’m realizing that Seventy-Five can feel worlds away from Seventy.
I have been on Medium since 2016. Looking back on my posts from five years ago, I am charmed by the Seventyish Woman I wrote about: beach-haired, braless, flippant, sarcastic, and funny, who was stuck at home with all kinds of free time due to Covid restrictions. But, today, she feels long gone. I looked at one story I wrote about retirement a few years ago and laughed out loud at my own words:
“Right now I intend to fling myself with abandon down this new path.”
Very funny, Jean. Instead of flinging, I have been creeping on my belly. Instead of abandon, I am experiencing regret, hesitation, anxiety, and reticence. Change is not as easy as that.
Now almost seventy-six, I find myself cautious, tired, dismayed by my hair and body, and wondering what to do next to maintain a good attitude. Things are changing again. Or have already changed, and I am struggling to keep up.
I have retired from my job as a therapist and have not renewed my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credential. I can’t do that job anymore. I have a lot of good reasons for that decision, but it is…
