Dismantling Ageism from Within After 60

For most people, the prospect of entering their 60s and beyond often elicits more anxiety, regret, and resentment than genuine excitement and appreciation.

A major factor in this is ageism and the rules of aging.

Despite all of the evidence of how ageism affects the lives of billions of people, most still are not clear on what exactly ageism is, let alone what the rules of aging are.

In my previous article and video, which was the beginning of our 5-part exclusive series for Sixty and Me readers titled “Rewriting the Rules of Aging”, I shared with you where the rules of aging are hiding and why self-love is essential in rewriting them.

Today, we’ll look at what ageism is and explore five steps to turn your focus inward through self-love and break free of the rules of aging.

The Origins of Ageism

Ageism refers to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination against individuals based on their age. As a debilitating form of social bias, ageism can affect all aspects of life, especially for those of us who are 60 and over.

The rise in ageism and the pervasive nature of the rules of aging in modern society is attributed to the rapid cultural and structural changes brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and the media and consumer focus on the youth.

Dr. Robert Butler coined the term ageism in 1969, but social scientists had already studied it at the social level. In their 1961 book, Growing Old, social scientists Elaine Cumming and William Henry proposed their Disengagement Theory, which is based on the premise that:

“Aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he belongs to.”

The underlying message of the Disengagement Theory is not simply to retire from a job, but to retire from life itself. This theme and message are what frame the rules of aging.

The Credibility of Ageism

To rewrite the rules of aging, we must be willing to acknowledge that for the past 60-to-70 years, the detrimental perception that aging is a disease and the rising impact of ageism as an unchangeable fact of life have been given credibility by authority figures in:

• Media stories
• Clinical studies
• Research papers
• Academic teachings
• Healthcare statistics
• Anti-aging advertising

For decades, society has been bombarded with doom-and-gloom stories about aging, with repeated themes that paint a bleak picture of life after 60, such as being:

• Slow
• Feeble
• Unsexy
• Obsolete
• Undesirable
• Unnecessary
• Technologically inept
• Hindrance to progress

These themes occur in mainstream news outlets and magazines, as well as movies, television, and advertisements. The imagery, narrative, and statistics about aging make it difficult to appreciate life as we age. As much as ageism appears to be a social issue, you can’t eradicate it through external efforts without changing your inner world first.

5 Steps to Dismantle Ageism from Within

There are several proven steps to combat ageism and promote your well-being from within. I address dozens of them in my three signature online courses. In this article, I’ll share five of my go-to steps for dismantling ageism from within after 60.

Practice Self-Love and Self-Care

Take time every day to appreciate and honor your body and mind through gentle exercises, such as stretching, massage, or walking. Start with daily meditation for at least 10-15 minutes.

Afterward, journal your experiences and focus on what you are grateful for.

Reframe Limiting Beliefs

Identify limiting beliefs you have about aging as well as negative assumptions about what kind of lifestyle you can live. Create a list of positive affirmations about yourself that counter and reframe fixed beliefs.

Engage in Mirror Affirmations every day. Stand in front of a mirror and look yourself in the eyes. Repeat positive affirmations about yourself, such as “I am loving”, “I am beautiful,” “I am wise,” “I am abundant,” “I am sexy.”

Engage in Positive Media Representation

It’s one thing to stay informed, but when you routinely consume negative stories that directly affect how you see yourself, that is not beneficial to your overall well-being.

Support media outlets that promote realistic and diverse representations of mature women and men, such as Sixty and Me. Also, share positive stories and articles about aging and inspirational people who are 60 and over on your social media profiles.

Creative Self-Expression

Express yourself through creative outlets such as art, writing, dance, gardening, or music. Allow yourself to fully enjoy the creative process without judgment or expectations.

When you consciously embrace the truth that you are naturally creative, it becomes easier to tap into the power of your childhood imagination.

Reflect and Celebrate Personal Growth

Engage in inner reflection with a focus on acknowledging the progress you’ve made in rewriting the rules of aging. Journal about moments when you have been hard on yourself or felt insecure about aging, and then offer self-compassion and understanding.

If you want the narrative of aging to change, it begins within you.

Next Steps:

The rules of aging have been playing out across decades of distrust, disrespect, and disparagement between generations. In part 3 of our series, we will address the origins of the ongoing divide between generations, with an emphasis on ending generational conflict peacefully and lovingly.

I invite you to join me in the video, where I will share with you a series of steps to remove the stigma of ageism by influencing yourself from within.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

In what ways have you experienced ageism in your daily life? What about on social media? What do you do in such situations?