26 Jan 5 Examples of Everyday Ageism We All Need to Quit Doing
I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. I think most people have good intentions, and sometimes, their comments, perceptions or biases are influenced by others, personal experiences and culture. And for this reason, it’s important to conduct periodic self-checks to make sure you’re not buying into or dishing unfounded misconceptions about others OR yourself.
Here’s five examples of everyday ageism that perhaps you unknowingly do that you should consider stop doing.
1. You look good for your age. I didn’t know that at 35, 47 or 62 I was supposed to look a certain way. Did you? It’s time to change your visual outlook on what aging looks like. Be open-minded. Check out the pic below to see what women 40 & 50+ REALLY look like.
2. Time to check out, you’re nearing retirement age. Just because we’re nearing 65 doesn’t mean we’re ready to retire. We’re all living longer, more vibrant and active lives. Some of us may be ready, but many of us want to keep working. Hire us. https://bit.ly/3tordli
3. Old people don’t know tech. Quite the contrary! At 40 & 50+, we’ve gone from rotary phones to mobile, from typewriters to personal computers, from encyclopedias to the web – and so much more. We not only have legacy tech knowledge, but we also keep evolving and adapting! Don’t assume. https://bit.ly/3rdcMOd
4. We’re all there, up there. Contrary to its reputation as a slower, duller version of a youthful brain, it seems that the middle-aged mind not only maintains many of the abilities of youth but actually acquires some new ones. In fact, verbal abilities, spatial reasoning, simple math abilities and abstract reasoning skills all improve in middle age. Value our smarts. https://bit.ly/3rmTiqK
5. Getting old sucks. Since you live one year at a time, odds are you don’t know what 48, 58 or 68 should ‘feel or look like’ until you’re that age. And let me tell you, at 48 myself, I’m loving life now more than in my 20s and 30s. 48 is the new 48, #micdrop.