How many times have you seen someone who is clearly over 50 defend that they still have a “young soul”? Usually, after the famous phrase there is an action that tries to cling to another vital moment and that leaves the individual in question exposed. Because the truth is that There is nothing wrong with being 50, or 60, or 70.. Or whatever.
What is truly important is to accept the passage of time in order to benefit from its virtues. AND Helen Mirrena great actress and an example of the fight against ageism that pervades our society, is very clear about it. She does not have a “young soul.” She has an 80-year-old soul, the age she turned on July 26, who accompanies her on all her adventures with the wisdom that is only obtained when she has lived. A soul with many years but full of vitality: the actress premieres a new film on August 28The Thursday Crime Clubin which he stars alongside Pierce Brosnan.
accept age
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The English actress knows that living is essential to learning. Since beginning his career in 1966, Her quality as an actress and as a person has only improved.. The British woman, who has given life to dozens of characters in films as iconic as The Queen, Red either Excaliburis more than willing to remind us that no one has to take years away from her.
“I neither feel full of youth nor do I have a young spirit,” the actress explained in the podcast Brave New World“my spirit is exactly the same age as me. Maybe I’m positive and I enjoy things, maybe I’m healthy, but that’s not being young, that’s being exactly who you are.”
From the perspective of psychology, these words make a lot of sense. Because accepting age is part of integrating our life history. And precisely one of the great challenges of personal growth is to integrate each of our versions and life stages, to be able to look back without regret, assume with dignity what we have experienced and enjoy what still remains to be experienced.
Denying age, on the contrary, can lead us to live in contradictionin internal conflict, disconnecting from ourselves.
Birthday is a gift
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“As we get older, life can become more difficult,” explained the actress, who is an ambassador for the Age UK project. “Many will begin to be treated differently, which can not only be disturbing, but also unfair.
“It is an ambitious challenge, but a really important one, as things must change and it is in everyone’s interest to ensure that older people are respected and treated as the individuals they are,” he added.
Because the truth is that, as she herself said in her speech, “regardless of what we think about aging, it is something that we should all try to accept instead of fear.”
Furthermore, beyond its challenges, birthdays are also full of advantages. According to psychology, the gifts of age are:
- Greater self-knowledge. You know who you are, what you want and what you are not willing to tolerate.
- More emotional stability. Less drama, more perspective and serenity in the face of problems.
- Better time management and priorities. You value what is important and leave what doesn’t add up.
- Less fear of what they will say. You live with more authenticity and personal freedom.
- Greater emotional wisdom. You transform experiences into understanding and support.
- More gratitude and enjoyment of everyday life. You learn to savor the simple and be present.
Accept your age, live with intensity
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For Mirren, the first step is to accept that age is there. That you are as old as you are. And it’s okay to have fulfilled them, because the truth is that it is never too late to start something. She, for example, She is a firm advocate of physical exercise to continue enjoying life. «They don’t have to join a gym. It can be small changes, like taking a short walk or practicing yoga, something I still enjoy,» she explained.
In addition to that, psychology gives us some advice to embrace age as a gift and stop beating ourselves up about the “loss” of youth. Because we have not lost it, we have lived it.
- Change the narrative. You don’t age, you evolve. Replace negative phrases with others that celebrate your personal growth.
- Look for positive references. Follow real, powerful women who live their age with pride.
- Make a list of your life achievements. Write down everything you do better now than 10 years ago.
- Enjoy the present without guilt. Give yourself pleasure, play and moments of joy without justifying yourself.
- Surround yourself with people who really see you. Age matters less when you surround yourself with authentic relationships.
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