There’s nothing positive about anti-aging. We should lose the term!
Why would anyone want to be anti-aging? Is there an opt-out on aging when you choose to be against it—does aging cease?
The messages are subliminal, but are still very clear: Aging is not perceived as a positive experience. And the money invested in that messaging let’s us know that we’re buying into it hook, line and sinker.
What you see and what you hear is what you believe: That’s human nature. And those negative aging messages have people paying thousands to fight something they can’t: Aging!
Those beliefs have us chasing after the impossible. And this pursuit actually affects us more than we know.
Now, let me be clear: I’m not talking face creams or facelifts, hair dye or plastic surgery. I’m talking about the negative mindset we adapt when we see aging as something to battle against instead of something to respect and embrace.
Media marketing and anti-aging manufacturers push out negative claims that promote a fear of aging. They try to make consumers believe they can fight against it when all you can really do is enhance it and nurture it.
There’s no such thing as an anti-aging anything. Instead, purchase these products to enhance and promote pro aging.
Please remember, we begin aging in the womb. Aging only becomes negative after 40–that’s when we become aware of society’s disregard for aging.
So, it’s important to foster a positive aging mindset that embraces and enjoys the aging experience and not the anti-aging perceptions. An anti-aging mindset does not foster the attitude we must have to live a positive life.
Fighting wrinkles or gray hair to look and feel better is a normal goal—but there’s no need to call it anti-aging and battle it. You’ll lose every time because, believe it or not, aging can’t be reversed.
Once we create and embrace a positive aging experience, we adapt a mindset of making our aging experience the best it can be. We want to support aging, not fight it. With the right attitude, we become ageless.
Pat Landaker is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of Living La Vida Senior. She serves on the ASA’s Innovation and Social Impact Council, the City of Henderson’s Senior Citizens Advisory Commission and teaches Positive Aging at UNLV/OLLI. Contact her at positiveaging54@gmail.com.