I'VE lamented more than once about the agonies of age but really, the physical ravages of time are a small price to pay for the perks of the golden years. Here’s what you can look forward to.
Wisdom. On account of having lived at least five decades on Earth, you can automatically proclaim yourself a sage and offer unsolicited advice with confidence knowing millennials will never find proof of your stupidities on cyberspace.
Gratitude. All the things you used to take for granted, you now solemnly cherish. After having experienced loss, failure, illness, heartbreak, you learn to savor what you’ve got instead of mourn for what you’ve lost.
Confidence. Isn’t it crazy how critical we were of ourselves when we were young? We’d look at a photo of ourselves and scream in horror, “I look terrible here!” Ten years later, we look at the same photo and exclaim, “Wow, I look great here!”
It’s no longer a face or body without flaw that we seek. We’re just ecstatic when all parts are in good working condition.
Courage. When we’re young, it’s all about presenting our best-curated selves. As we age, we begin the journey to find our authentic selves.
I’m not afraid to be afraid anymore. And I’m not afraid to tell people that I’m afraid. That I’m wrong. That I don’t know the answers. That I can’t solve everything. That I failed.
Invisibility. No more catcalls. No more indecent proposals. No more dishonorable designs. It’s strange and masochistic. But it’s a blow to the ego.
But invisibility has a silver lining. You shed inhibitions—suddenly you’re okay being naked with strangers in an onsen. You develop a satisfying kind of shamelessness. You now go out to the mall in your yoga pants, all sweaty, sans make-up and not care. You’re invisible.
Freedom. When you’re young, you can’t say no. Or rather, you’re afraid to say no. After 50, you have no problem saying no because you care more about what you really want to do rather than what people think of you.
Travel ease. Securing visas is a breeze. You can’t steal anyone’s job anymore. You’re not hireable. “How do I know you’re not going to marry an American when you go to America?” I was asked in my 20s. Now? No questions. Zero job or marriage prospects.
Not a security risk either. Last time I checked into JFK, I was automatically granted TSA pre-check status. See the perks of old age? I wonder what’s worse, though? Old? Invisible? Or safe? At any rate, I am now enjoying the perks of all three. Can life can get any better than this?
No more PMS. No more raging hormones. No more hot flushes as well. No more babies accidentally coming out of your body. It’s like the war is finally over. And in its aftermath, you can only look forward to living happily ever after.