It's so much easier to just keep going than to start again. I doubt if I could start headstands (or a lot of my other more difficult yoga postures) now. BTW, I don't know if you saw Who Will Go First (this week's post), but I used a memory from your book about the remote not working. I wondered whether I should reference it (but couldn't remember the reference) or tell you in advance. I was slightly moving into your territory, but I also didn't know what the state of play was with BIG. And if I mentioned that, I thought I should mention other stuff and it just seemed a whole lot easier not to get into it. I hope I did not offend you.
Yes. Very simple and very true. I’m inspired by the 90 year old who still walks 4-5 miles per day. I do that now and I dont see any reason why that shouldn’t continue - if I just keep going. Thanks Ann. Very inspiring
Holy moly!! A headstand at your age is amazing! I'm 65 and can't even think about doing one. I tried a cartwheel not too long ago, and that didn't go well. I can still touch my toes, and I know many people at my age who can't, but a headstand? I don't think so. You should be so proud. I exercise and walk 10,000 steps daily, and I hope to continue doing so well into my 80s. We'll see how that goes. 😊
It sounds like you’re doing fine, Charisse. I didn’t START doing a headstand in my 80s – it’s something I learned in my 50s and just kept going. I don’t walk 10,000 steps a day, although I walk everywhere (no car). Actually, doing a headstand is relatively easy once you know how and have developed the strength to do it, but yoga involves so much more than that. I am pleased that I kept going with it because I am so much more flexible as a result.
I've always kept up with my exercises. Maybe they are not as strenuous as they use to be but I love walking, hiking, a little bit of yoga and essentrics (on PBS kinda like a mashup between Tai Chi, barre, yoga, body strenght training, but with slow non stop movements). I had the example of my late grandfather who lived to 104. He didn't really slow down with his walking till around mid 90s, but he still walked a little. 100 is when he became really frail. He was a hiker and mountain climber when young. I try to maintain my excercise routine.
I’m in a very different season of life, with two young kids, but this advice is so helpful to keep in mind. I have been trying to stay conscious of the fact that this season will be over before I’m ready. Thank you for sharing! My mom is another wonderful example of this. She’s in her 70’s now and still swims most days.
Actually, Hanna, it occurred to me after I sent that post that you were much younger, but then I thought it won’t do any harm and it might do some good.
I believe it’s important to develop intergenerational friendships in order to find solutions to our society’s struggles. 💜 Friendship results in more compassion and fewer misunderstandings.
Just to clarify, that is a friend, who is a dancer - not me. I do yoga, which is getting harder but I just keep on. Will be there is a few hours with a lot of younger companions.
Loved your post. Ann. I'm also a dancer who keeps dancing and stretching each day. I loved the photo of your friend. Does she have an online presence we can check out?
My friend is very shy about being identified. I checked with her, of course, before posting the photo and she said it was fine as long as I didn’t give her name. She is/ was a belly dancer for years but due to family responsibilities and other things, was not hugely successful at it, although I thought she was very good.
I am still dancing! I modify these days meaning I do not do big leaps or too much jumping. I have a barre in my room and full wall mirror. I use to teach adult ballet. I sometimes take class. I love the music, discipline, and the way it makes my body feel. I finally let go of the perfection and stopped comparing myself to my youthful dancing days.
Don't care to state my age though I belong in your group :) I also look. a lot younger. The doctors always asked me if my birthday is correct! But that brings its own insecurities that others don't really get. Long story...
Maybe your shy friend could adopt an online pseudonym. She sounds amazing. Have you ever seen Train with Joan? I think she's 80 now and transformed her body and health by taking up strength training. at age 72. She's now an Internet star.
I love this Ann. If I have one thing, it's persistence. And so your admonition to "just keep going" brings me a lot of joy and hope. I have had, like everyone else, a lot of obstacles, but I get up and go back and do what I do. I want to continue, to swim, lift weights, do yoga, hike, do qigong, you name it. I want to continue to do what I've just begun, to write, and I want to find new things to do, hopefully, learn a language besides English. Thank you!
My husband just popped in and I quoted my comment that persistence was 'my middle name'. He said no, it was more like my first name. He should know! And then he wondered if ever in the mists of time, there were women called 'persistence', like they were called 'constance' and other virtues. A nice idea. I thought I would pass it on.
Persistence is good. Persistence is my middle name. I can be very annoying but I do keep going. You do much more than I do and much more than I did when I was younger. If you have persistence in your repertoire, you will do just fine. I never realised how important it was when I was younger (although I have had it all my life), but it gets you through to the end of whatever you start. I'd put money on your learning that language whatever it is. And write your heart out, read what you have written, go over it, improve it and let it out into the world. Hooray for persistence. You have inspired me, perhaps I will write a post about this little recognised virtue.
Whenever I see a girl doing a handstand I tell her to keep doing it. I'm sure I last did a handstand when I was ten. Though a couple of times in yoga classes lately I have thought it might be accessible to me now... I am going to try one day soon! Head stands are not in my practice and I don't want them to be, I'm not sure I see the point.
I'm 43 and have had MS for at least ten years, though it's seven years since I was diagnosed. Running is my thing and I'm trying to keep that going for as long as I can, though my other disability hEDS and the vicissitudes of life (that is a great way of putting it!) are conspiring to slow me down.
I don't urge everyone to do headstands. I love it, they are good for you, but there are many good reasons not to. I don't know much about MS but I think it is great that you try to keep doing as much as you can. I admire people who keep at it through a lot of difficulties - all I have to contend with is my age, which means I am more easily tired. My first yoga teacher (30 years ago) was 80 and Mr Iyengar was practising yoga into his 90s until he died, so it is definitely an older people's 'sport'.
PS. I could do handstands until 5 or so years ago, but I needed to give help to get up. Once up, I was good for a minute or so,
Funny. When I was on holiday with my parents in about 1972 and trying, failing and annoying the bloke who was trying to teach me to water ski I was considered nothing but a useless 16 year old.
Trying again - and failing in exactly the same way in 2012 (at the ripe old age of 56) there were people on the beach applauding, congratulating me for trying and buying me drinks.
My apologies. I just realised that I recommended a post to you that you had already liked! I was reading down all the ‘activity’ that happened since I last looked.
I think 61 got to me quite badly - 41 was similar. Numbers seem suddenly to leap forward in 5s.
And every second intensifies - bright is brighter, grief deeper, sex another country, food almost as good as sex; friends are more rounded; I know who I am and every rapid day is a roller-coaster of breath and water, fire and earth.
Thanks very much. I never get tired of hearing people like reading what I write. I don’t know how many you have read, but I do emphasise the joys of being old. The numbers keep on coming…perhaps 71 will be a problem for you but just remember it is a long way back for me. You might like
My number is now 71, and I've been feeling the old. Reading your words is a breath of fresh air as I begin this whole new "career", Ann ✍️. Makes me have hope and Continuing Wonderment!! Thank you!!!
Well, I am pleased if I can offer a breath of fresh air – someone said I was 'a breath of fresh air' recently and I thought that was a lovely compliment. I think you can do most things at 80 that you could do at 50 if you keep fit. And I am very surprised to hear myself saying that because I was NEVER a keep-fit fanatic. But I started yoga at age 50 and do it every week (as well as a 20 minute swim every week) and I am both strong and flexible, which makes. the possibilities in life so much greater. Find what you like to do and do it and the world opens up. Good luck.
I am all for this concept (Just Keep Going). I went to college for seven years beginning at age 50 and since then began painting watercolors at around 60 and started Pilates at 70. I'm now 73 and am learning Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and doing fabric design. This is all crazy stuff when you add that in between these activities I've had two major brain surgeries and have just finished a round of radiation. It sounds impressive, but frankly, it just seems like me. I don't know how else to be in the world.
Apologies, Linda, that came onto my phone as a stand-alone comment and it didn't make sense. Makes a lot more sense now that I see it in context, but in the meantime he has deleted it.
You can do better than me, since I didn't start until I was 50. Loads of people could do better than me, but they need to not only START doing things (a good beginning) but to also KEEP GOING through thick and thin. The older you get, the easier it is to find excuses to stop. What I am saying to all of you (and no one told me) is that it is really worth while to keep going, because you feel great when you get to my age. And no one I meet believes I am anywhere near 80, much less over it.
Hits a "timely" sweet spot!
It's so much easier to just keep going than to start again. I doubt if I could start headstands (or a lot of my other more difficult yoga postures) now. BTW, I don't know if you saw Who Will Go First (this week's post), but I used a memory from your book about the remote not working. I wondered whether I should reference it (but couldn't remember the reference) or tell you in advance. I was slightly moving into your territory, but I also didn't know what the state of play was with BIG. And if I mentioned that, I thought I should mention other stuff and it just seemed a whole lot easier not to get into it. I hope I did not offend you.
Yes. Very simple and very true. I’m inspired by the 90 year old who still walks 4-5 miles per day. I do that now and I dont see any reason why that shouldn’t continue - if I just keep going. Thanks Ann. Very inspiring
Holy moly!! A headstand at your age is amazing! I'm 65 and can't even think about doing one. I tried a cartwheel not too long ago, and that didn't go well. I can still touch my toes, and I know many people at my age who can't, but a headstand? I don't think so. You should be so proud. I exercise and walk 10,000 steps daily, and I hope to continue doing so well into my 80s. We'll see how that goes. 😊
It sounds like you’re doing fine, Charisse. I didn’t START doing a headstand in my 80s – it’s something I learned in my 50s and just kept going. I don’t walk 10,000 steps a day, although I walk everywhere (no car). Actually, doing a headstand is relatively easy once you know how and have developed the strength to do it, but yoga involves so much more than that. I am pleased that I kept going with it because I am so much more flexible as a result.
Keep up the good work. 😊
I've always kept up with my exercises. Maybe they are not as strenuous as they use to be but I love walking, hiking, a little bit of yoga and essentrics (on PBS kinda like a mashup between Tai Chi, barre, yoga, body strenght training, but with slow non stop movements). I had the example of my late grandfather who lived to 104. He didn't really slow down with his walking till around mid 90s, but he still walked a little. 100 is when he became really frail. He was a hiker and mountain climber when young. I try to maintain my excercise routine.
Just keep going. It’s wonderfully simple.
I love it so much! Yes, just keep going. That is my plan and my prayer.
Right on!
I’m in a very different season of life, with two young kids, but this advice is so helpful to keep in mind. I have been trying to stay conscious of the fact that this season will be over before I’m ready. Thank you for sharing! My mom is another wonderful example of this. She’s in her 70’s now and still swims most days.
Actually, Hanna, it occurred to me after I sent that post that you were much younger, but then I thought it won’t do any harm and it might do some good.
I believe it’s important to develop intergenerational friendships in order to find solutions to our society’s struggles. 💜 Friendship results in more compassion and fewer misunderstandings.
So Inspiring! I did a split at 55 in yoga and I was impressed... but 80?
Just to clarify, that is a friend, who is a dancer - not me. I do yoga, which is getting harder but I just keep on. Will be there is a few hours with a lot of younger companions.
Loved your post. Ann. I'm also a dancer who keeps dancing and stretching each day. I loved the photo of your friend. Does she have an online presence we can check out?
My friend is very shy about being identified. I checked with her, of course, before posting the photo and she said it was fine as long as I didn’t give her name. She is/ was a belly dancer for years but due to family responsibilities and other things, was not hugely successful at it, although I thought she was very good.
How old are you? Are you still dancing?
I am still dancing! I modify these days meaning I do not do big leaps or too much jumping. I have a barre in my room and full wall mirror. I use to teach adult ballet. I sometimes take class. I love the music, discipline, and the way it makes my body feel. I finally let go of the perfection and stopped comparing myself to my youthful dancing days.
Don't care to state my age though I belong in your group :) I also look. a lot younger. The doctors always asked me if my birthday is correct! But that brings its own insecurities that others don't really get. Long story...
Maybe your shy friend could adopt an online pseudonym. She sounds amazing. Have you ever seen Train with Joan? I think she's 80 now and transformed her body and health by taking up strength training. at age 72. She's now an Internet star.
Inspiring!!!❤️ Thanks! Going through perimenopause, not fun! But keep going…
Yes, each stage of life has its problems, but the secret is not to let them get you down.
I love this Ann. If I have one thing, it's persistence. And so your admonition to "just keep going" brings me a lot of joy and hope. I have had, like everyone else, a lot of obstacles, but I get up and go back and do what I do. I want to continue, to swim, lift weights, do yoga, hike, do qigong, you name it. I want to continue to do what I've just begun, to write, and I want to find new things to do, hopefully, learn a language besides English. Thank you!
My husband just popped in and I quoted my comment that persistence was 'my middle name'. He said no, it was more like my first name. He should know! And then he wondered if ever in the mists of time, there were women called 'persistence', like they were called 'constance' and other virtues. A nice idea. I thought I would pass it on.
Amen! My husband would probably have a similar response to yours if I were to ask about my own tendencies. I would love to read that post!
That post is in a folder called ‘future possibles’, called In Praise of Persistence. Watch this space.
Watching!
Most likely in the New Year as I have the current year more or less mapped out (but nothing subsequent).
Persistence is good. Persistence is my middle name. I can be very annoying but I do keep going. You do much more than I do and much more than I did when I was younger. If you have persistence in your repertoire, you will do just fine. I never realised how important it was when I was younger (although I have had it all my life), but it gets you through to the end of whatever you start. I'd put money on your learning that language whatever it is. And write your heart out, read what you have written, go over it, improve it and let it out into the world. Hooray for persistence. You have inspired me, perhaps I will write a post about this little recognised virtue.
Whenever I see a girl doing a handstand I tell her to keep doing it. I'm sure I last did a handstand when I was ten. Though a couple of times in yoga classes lately I have thought it might be accessible to me now... I am going to try one day soon! Head stands are not in my practice and I don't want them to be, I'm not sure I see the point.
I'm 43 and have had MS for at least ten years, though it's seven years since I was diagnosed. Running is my thing and I'm trying to keep that going for as long as I can, though my other disability hEDS and the vicissitudes of life (that is a great way of putting it!) are conspiring to slow me down.
I don't urge everyone to do headstands. I love it, they are good for you, but there are many good reasons not to. I don't know much about MS but I think it is great that you try to keep doing as much as you can. I admire people who keep at it through a lot of difficulties - all I have to contend with is my age, which means I am more easily tired. My first yoga teacher (30 years ago) was 80 and Mr Iyengar was practising yoga into his 90s until he died, so it is definitely an older people's 'sport'.
PS. I could do handstands until 5 or so years ago, but I needed to give help to get up. Once up, I was good for a minute or so,
Funny. When I was on holiday with my parents in about 1972 and trying, failing and annoying the bloke who was trying to teach me to water ski I was considered nothing but a useless 16 year old.
Trying again - and failing in exactly the same way in 2012 (at the ripe old age of 56) there were people on the beach applauding, congratulating me for trying and buying me drinks.
We live in terribly agist times.
My apologies. I just realised that I recommended a post to you that you had already liked! I was reading down all the ‘activity’ that happened since I last looked.
never apologise - we need a filofax!
too true!
Yup. But another way in which it is nicer to be older. although. not one I had thought of before. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how it is nicer. https://arichardson.substack.com/p/all-my-future-is-behind-me
I think 61 got to me quite badly - 41 was similar. Numbers seem suddenly to leap forward in 5s.
And every second intensifies - bright is brighter, grief deeper, sex another country, food almost as good as sex; friends are more rounded; I know who I am and every rapid day is a roller-coaster of breath and water, fire and earth.
Thank you for your fab posts. CC
Thanks very much. I never get tired of hearing people like reading what I write. I don’t know how many you have read, but I do emphasise the joys of being old. The numbers keep on coming…perhaps 71 will be a problem for you but just remember it is a long way back for me. You might like
My number is now 71, and I've been feeling the old. Reading your words is a breath of fresh air as I begin this whole new "career", Ann ✍️. Makes me have hope and Continuing Wonderment!! Thank you!!!
Well, I am pleased if I can offer a breath of fresh air – someone said I was 'a breath of fresh air' recently and I thought that was a lovely compliment. I think you can do most things at 80 that you could do at 50 if you keep fit. And I am very surprised to hear myself saying that because I was NEVER a keep-fit fanatic. But I started yoga at age 50 and do it every week (as well as a 20 minute swim every week) and I am both strong and flexible, which makes. the possibilities in life so much greater. Find what you like to do and do it and the world opens up. Good luck.
I am all for this concept (Just Keep Going). I went to college for seven years beginning at age 50 and since then began painting watercolors at around 60 and started Pilates at 70. I'm now 73 and am learning Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and doing fabric design. This is all crazy stuff when you add that in between these activities I've had two major brain surgeries and have just finished a round of radiation. It sounds impressive, but frankly, it just seems like me. I don't know how else to be in the world.
Yes, that all sounds harder than standing on your head! But I agree, I don't know how else to be in this world. That's just how I feel.
Thank you for saying that to me, Isaiah! It means a lot!
Apologies, Linda, that came onto my phone as a stand-alone comment and it didn't make sense. Makes a lot more sense now that I see it in context, but in the meantime he has deleted it.
Love it Ann. I started my daily yoga practice at 40, and at 51 it's still going strong, so I hope to follow in your footsteps 😀
You can do better than me, since I didn't start until I was 50. Loads of people could do better than me, but they need to not only START doing things (a good beginning) but to also KEEP GOING through thick and thin. The older you get, the easier it is to find excuses to stop. What I am saying to all of you (and no one told me) is that it is really worth while to keep going, because you feel great when you get to my age. And no one I meet believes I am anywhere near 80, much less over it.
You are a great role model Ann 😀