If I Taught A Class In Aging 101

I was listening to a comedian on TV the other night, joking about how difficult it is to reach middle age.

I hear you, buddy. Been there, and crawled through that. And looking back, I wish I’d had a manual on how to do it better. So it got me thinking about what my now-older self would warn my younger self about when it comes to reaching that time known as middle age. The exact age you hit varies, depending on your point of view, but you know it when you trip over that threshold).

1. I would have advised myself that certain foods are not a good idea after certain evening times. Fried food, super-sweet desserts, and raw vegetables won’t let you sleep well.
2. I would remind myself that daily exercise is a never-ending requirement. It’s for the calorie burn but it’s also about maintaining bone density and strength, muscle mass and flexibility, balance and mental sharpness. It’s not about running marathons or climbing mountains, although those are fine ideals. It’s about doing what you can, as much as you can.
3. I would remember to keep my friends close. Many will die, drift away, move, or become less available. Reach out, even if it’s just to say hello. And stay away from negative, small-minded people who don’t have good intentions, or whose routine consists of complaints about aches and pains, loss and lives not lived.
4. I would remember to simplify: dispose of things that no longer serve a purpose. Sell, donate, recycle, or trade what no longer serves. Move possessions forward to someone who can use them. It means less housework and worry if you own less stuff.
5. I would be ready for the last scenario: have my final affairs in order. A will and power of attorney is for everyone, regardless of the size of one’s estate. No one should have to make these painful decisions for you when you cannot make them.
6. I would be unafraid to continue what I love but try new things. I still plant a garden because it’s fun watching food grow (and I have to be out there to mow the lawn anyway). Learn to paint, play an instrument, speak a new language, or take up martial arts. None of these things are “useful” in a paycheck way, but they benefit the brain and social animal in you.
7. Always shock the people around you. They don’t expect people “of a certain age” like you to do certain things. So catch them off guard with off-the-wall ideas. Write them letters (the texting generation will be stunned by this). Hire a dive boat for a day of fishing and diving (Seriously, there are creatures out there!!!!). Take some computer literacy classes; learn the lingo and how to actually fix the tech. Join a local theater company and be a star, stage fright be damned. Take an adventure vacation that includes swimming, bike, or hiking trips. Distill your own booze with a home-based kit.

My “class” is just a starter; I know you all have your own ideas. Let me know what you would do better or differently if you could start getting older over again.