Are you practicing self-ageism without even realizing it? Find out! Do you ever say something to the effect of the following statements?
“I’m dating myself, but (insert past pop-culture fact).”
Why is “dating yourself” even a thing? Who cares? Just say the thing.
For example, the Internet wasn’t around until I was 34. But I don’t say “I’m dating myself but the internet wasn’t around …” – I just say it.
“I’m too old to learn social media (or reels, or blogging, or a new language …).”
I won’t lie, when I hear this, often from people younger than me or even my own age (I will be 59 in August), I cringe.
Maybe you are overwhelmed by social media, or learning a language is harder than when we were young. But it’s not impossible to acquire a new skill. When we put our age out there as an excuse, we are doing ourselves and younger people a huge disservice.
“I’m probably the oldest person in the room.”
When I hear this (usually from someone younger than me), I roll my eyes. Honestly, few people care how old you are.
They care about your energy, your joie de vivre, your innovation, your open mind … Who cares if you’re the youngest, the oldest, or somewhere in between.
Unless it’s because you are going to set yourself as some kind of kickass example, maybe don’t complain about your age?
“I just had a senior moment.”
Well, did you now? I hear people in their late thirties and early forties saying this and I’m aghast.
While it’s normal to forget things here and there, especially in the times we live in, why call it a senior moment?
I know many seniors who don’t forget things (my dad at 83) and unfortunately people with early-onset dementia who can’t remember their loved ones. Maybe skip the comment.
My antidote to self-ageism is to keep learning, keep creating, keep working and surround myself with other creative, curious, energetic people of any age.
As I mentioned, I am 58 years old at the time of this writing and I am learning how to do reels on Instagram and also pushing the envelope when it comes to doing creative photoshoots for this website and for my Instagram account.
These pictures are the result of wanting to learn new things.
Do you practice unconscious self-ageism?
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