“Sometimes, people use age as a convenient excuse. ‘I’m too old to start something new,’ or, ‘I couldn’t learn that at my age.’ Other people though, go on to achieve their greatest accomplishments in life in later years.”
There are two age pressures that we often face—the ones we set for ourselves and the ones society sets for us.
We see it all the time. “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
“I need to graduate by this age, mar- ried by that age, start a career, buy a house, have kids, be financially stable, etc.” “I’m too old for that.” “I’m not old enough.” It’s a lot of pressure!
I call bull****—you’re exactly where you need to be right now and if there’s something you want to achieve, age is not your limit, your mind is.
I faced age discrimination often when I chose to get married “young.” I heard the question, “how old are you?” over and over again. Who are others to say that relationships, goals, or abilities are based on age? I’m here to remind you that the only timeline or standard you have to follow is your own. You are exactly where you need to be. You are in control. And your age is just a number.
Three steps to overcoming your limits
If you’re faced by age standards, here are a few steps you need to take to overcome your limiting beliefs:
1. VISUALIZE: Take time to focus on what you want to achieve without your age or other people’s opinion as a factor. Visualize how you will feel when you achieve it.
2. ACCEPT: Accept that people will always have an opinion, but that doesn’t change who you are and the worth of what you want to achieve.
3. RELEASE: Release yourself of all the age standards you’re facing today and work towards whatever you want without limits.
More Inspiration: Check out this great article on the 5 pillars of wellness!
Author: Jessica Clerke is the digital editor for Optimyz and HUM@Nmedia and writes for our print edition as well.
