This boomer turned 60 last month. I’ve never had an issue with age – “it’s just a number” and all that. This wasn’t an existential crisis. Still, milestone birthdays make one think, evaluate and yes, reminisce. Seems like just yesterday I was celebrating the big 5-0 on a girl’s weekend. How could ten years fly by so quickly?

But fly by they did. And knowing that turning sixty only rolls around once, I went a bit overboard on the festivities. I went to birthday lunches with girlfriends, dinners with family and as a grand finale, I spent a few weeks reveling in the sunshine.  When my birthday month ended, I returned to everyday life as a newly minted 60-year-old.

A friend who’s a year or two older texted me this on my birthday: “Isn’t it weird to say you’re 60? People that are 60 are old, that can’t be us!” “Yes,” I agreed – it is weird because I still feel 47.”  But who knows what we are supposed to feel like at any given age?

At this point in my life, I don’t mind getting older. In fact, I find I’m more comfortable in my skin than I’ve ever been. Time only goes in one direction. We can be at peace with aging – or go kicking and screaming into the inevitable. Hence the saying “aging gracefully.”  

That doesn’t have to mean throwing in the towel, by the way. On the contrary, we can improve the quality of our life and slow down the aging process by making good choices; eating well, exercising regularly and getting adequate sleep.

We can also look for the upsides that accumulate as we log more years. We gain experience, knowledge and wisdom. We overcome challenges, celebrate accomplishes and learn what we are made of.  We meet amazing people and form lifelong relationships. With each experience, we discern what’s truly important in life. And what isn’t.

Here are some of my personal sentiments, perspectives and a few “aha” moments I’ve collected during my six decades of life.

It really doesn’t matter what other people think of you.

Around the age of forty, many people declare; “Forty means no longer caring what others think.” It’s a freeing statement that for some takes longer than forty years to sink in, but most eventually adapt the philosophy. My sixty-year-old version; “I no longer need, or ask for approval from others for the things I do or say.”

Wear what you want.

I dress for myself. Choosing clothing I deem flattering yet also checking the comfort box. I don’t wear shoes that hurt my feet just to make my legs look better, or outfits that require full-body spanx to pull off. What’s the point in looking sleek if it requires painful compression of internal organs? I’d rather be able to breathe freely than look a size smaller. I “may” have had a different philosophy in my younger years.

Enjoy the kids you’ve raised.

Congratulations. You’ve made it through the infant, toddler, pre-teen, teen and college years. Now you can enjoy the fruits of parenting. Having grown up discussions at restaurants without worrying about toddler meltdowns is wonderful. Some of those ages and stages, while adorable, were frankly exhausting. I love spending time with my grown kids.

Live your best life. Not someone else’s.

As I rack up the years, I become more convinced that there’s no reason to compare lives with anyone else. Time spent worrying if your career, your kids, your house, vacation, etc. measure up to others are moments wasted. Am I doing the best I can? Am I living my best life? That’s all that really matters.

What’s a few wrinkles (or rolls) between friends?

When getting together with same aged friends, we’ll often joke and commiserate about the redistribution of body fat or the best way to camouflage batwings, but we don’t dwell on these things for long. We know we have so much more to offer than our outermost layers. We have intelligence, wit, kindness, compassion and loyal friendships. And while that desirable six-pack gets more elusive with each passing year, we’re confident it’s still there – it’s just well insulated.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

The greater my age, the less I worry about little slights and inconveniences. Minor annoyances and behaviors that used to cause great angst no longer phase me. I have a bigger world view. There’s a great book titled “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff” by Richard Carlson, Ph.D. It’s a quick read that I highly recommend for any age.

Turns out that I’m not the only person who sees the benefits to the advancing years. Several readers responded with overwhelmingly positive comments when asked; “what things do you like about getting older?” There were some common themes; wisdom, gratitude, senior perks and a sense of humor. In their own words:

What I like about getting older:

“Wisdom, appreciation for family, friends and the little things.” – Maria Palmer

“Self-confidence… or maybe I just don’t care that much about what others think of me.” – Kathy Young

“Retirement. Doing what I want, when I want and being physically able to do all of it.” – Susan Holleman

“I’m able to get most of my 10,000 steps in each day by walking to the bathroom six times a night. Got that going for me.” – Dave Barr

“Forward tees.” – Rod Sickler

“As I get older, I definitely appreciate everything and everyone and am grateful for a good life.” – Joan Rodgers Zernich

“Senior discounts.” – Cindy Magsamen

“Wisdom, a calmer demeanor, friends, a wonderful life, an amazing husband, great kids and beautiful grandchildren. And a winter condo in Naples.” – Willie Hansen

“Contentment.” – Tera Holm

“Experience that leads to calmness when dealing with the unexpected.” – Sheila Gillespie Gillette

“Getting rid of the things in my life that don’t bring me joy! Saying “no” without guilt.” – Cheryl Turner

“Time to do what I want, but still never enough time!” – Jean Hinton

I think my friend Toni Lemmon sums it up well: “There are many things about getting older that are great. The feeling of self-accomplishment in getting where I am, raising two successful young men, overcoming hurdles, contentment, wisdom, appreciation for my many great friends – and appreciation that God has given me this life and my free will to make it what it is. Getting old isn’t for sissies – appreciate every single day!”

Here’s to celebrating birthdays and the wisdom that those years bring us.