I’m Not Elderly, I’m Freaking Fabulous!!

Do I Look Elderly to You? Why I’m Challenging the Way We Think About Aging

Someone called me elderly the other day.

Yep.

You read that correctly.

Elderly. 

And my first thought was...

"Wait... who are you talking about?"

I actually looked around because I was convinced they must have been referring to someone standing behind me.

Then it hit me.

They meant me. 

And I have to admit...

It irritated me.

Not because I’m ashamed of my age.

Quite the opposite.

I am proud of every year I have lived because every birthday represents another year of experiences, lessons, challenges, laughter, growth, and opportunities to make an impact.

But the word elderly?

That word bothers me.

And here’s why.

It’s not just a word.

It’s a label.

And labels come with assumptions.

When many people hear the word "elderly," they immediately picture someone who is fragile, slowing down, dependent, disconnected, or simply waiting for life to happen around them.

And that is exactly where I have a problem.

Because age does not determine your ability to live a full, vibrant, meaningful life.

Your mindset does. 

So let me ask you something...

Do I look elderly to you? 

Because the last time I checked, I’m still moving.

I’m still teaching.

I’m still learning.

I’m still creating.

I’m still challenging my body.

I’m still building businesses.

I’m still setting goals.

I’m still dreaming about what comes next.

And honestly?

I think that’s the part people forget.

Aging is not the problem.

Giving up on yourself is.

Aging Is Inevitable. Becoming "Old" Is a Choice.

Now before anyone misunderstands me...

Yes, our bodies change.

Things happen.

We get wrinkles.

Our recovery time may take a little longer.

And some mornings, my joints make more noise than I do before I’ve even had my coffee.

But that’s life.

That’s called being human.

The goal isn’t to pretend we are twenty-five forever.

The goal is to become the strongest, healthiest, most capable version of ourselves at every age.

Because I have met people in their forties who are already "old."

They stopped moving.

They stopped learning.

They stopped trying new things.

They decided their best days were behind them.

And then I have met people in their seventies, eighties, and beyond who are absolutely thriving.

They are curious.

They are active.

They are laughing.

They are exploring.

They are learning.

They are living.

So tell me...

Who is really old? 

Elderly Is a State of Mind, Not a State of Being

Here is what I believe:

Elderly is not a number. It is a mindset. 

The moment you stop being curious...

The moment you stop challenging yourself...

The moment you stop moving your body...

The moment you stop believing you can grow...

That is when you start limiting yourself.

Not because of your age.

Because of your thinking.

Your birth certificate tells people how many years you have been alive.

It does not tell them how alive you are.

And there is a big difference.

Stop Letting Labels Define You

One person's opinion does not define who you are.

A word does not determine your worth.

A birthday does not decide what you can accomplish.

You get to decide that.

You get to decide whether your next chapter is smaller...

or bigger.

You get to decide whether you are just existing...

or truly living.

So if someone calls me elderly?

I’ll smile.

I’ll probably laugh.

And then I’ll go do exactly what they think someone "elderly" shouldn’t be doing.

I’ll move.

I’ll teach.

I’ll create.

I’ll inspire.

I’ll keep going.

Because I have too much life left to live.

You can call me experienced.

You can call me seasoned.

You can call me wise.

You can even call me a little salty.

But don’t call me elderly.

Because I’m not done yet.

Actually...

I’m just getting started.

So now I want to know...

What side are you on? 

Are you on the elderly side...

the side that says, "My best years are behind me"?

Or are you on the freaking fabulous side...

the side that says, "I’m still growing, still learning, still moving, and my best days are ahead of me"?

Because I already know where I stand.

I choose freaking fabulous.

Every.

Single.

Time.

Now tell me...

Which side are you on?